Best Midland Institute Podcasts (2025)

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Jason Thomas – Designing a Life of Adventure 56:26

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1M ago56:26

56:26

Today’s episode features Jason Thomas, Director of Design and Product Development at RiverSmith USA. Jason is more than a designer—he’s an innovator, a creative force, and a true adventurer. With nearly two decades of experience, Jason has shaped some of the country's most cutting-edge outdoor products and climbing environments. He firmly believes …

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CEO Alumni Panel – Grit, Growth, and God-Given Drive 56:14

2M ago56:14

56:14

This episode is something special—a panel featuring three incredible CEO alumni who’ve taken their senior-year startup ideas and turned them into thriving businesses. You’ll hear from: Ben Flath, founder of Excursions Automotive in Indiana, Ashley Leman, founder of Revive Coffee & Roasting Company in Illinois, And Alex Eckhardt, owner of Q-Town Kic…

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EPISODE 4: Brent Oberlink – Building Businesses That Build Others 59:15

2M ago59:15

59:15

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Brent Oberink, co-owner of Laner Corp and host of The Better Contractor podcast. Brent shared his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a nationwide maintenance contracting business for the oil and gas industry in 2007 to growing it into a 50+ employee company with multiple locations. He al…

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EPISODE 3: Katie Clark – Sentiment Meets Strategy in Jewelry 57:11

2M ago57:11

57:11

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Katie Clark, founder of Katie Clark Co., a fine jewelry business based in Houston, Texas. Katie shared her journey from working in corporate America at a jewelry store to leveraging her TikTok platform to launch her own custom jewelry company in 2023. She now balances entrepreneurship, mother…

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EPISODE 2: Casey Capuano Sarai – Disrupting an Industry with Heart 52:49

3M ago52:49

52:49

Today, we’re joined by the fearless and inspiring Casey Capuano Sarai—co-founder of CAKES Body- the company completely redefining the traditional bra industry. With just $10,000 and no investor backing, Casey and her sister launched CAKES Body in 2022—and what started as a small product innovation quickly turned into a viral sensation and a $100 mi…

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EPISODE 1: Anthony Masterlasco – From Boat Cleaning to Brand-Building 55:11

3M ago55:11

55:11

In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Masterlasco, founder of Bad Boy Boating — a digital marketing agency laser-focused on the marine industry. Anthony’s entrepreneurial story started not with a business degree or a grand plan, but with a simple boat cleaning business and a strong work ethic. Over time, his passion for boating collided with his…

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Episode Seven - What’s Next? Karis Hortin l Owner, Social Media Made Simple, and Austin Brooks l Executive Director, Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship 20:56

1y ago20:56

20:56

At CEO, we are a community of people who are always learning and evolving. Life changes, but part of being in the CEO family means celebrating each other’s journeys as it happens! The final episode of this season’s Fearless Founders podcast is a celebration of what’s to come for Karis Bell as she moves on from her role in Fearless Founders and tran…

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Episode Six - Anne Beiler l Founder, Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels 51:37

1y ago51:37

51:37

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with Anne Beiler, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who founded the world's largest pretzel franchise, Auntie Anne’s®. For years, she has inspired audiences with her authentic stories about nearly losing everything, finding purpose in the pain, and rising to a new level of success, and las…

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Episode Five - Bethany Leonardo l YouTuber & Entrepreneur 57:56

1+ y ago57:56

57:56

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with internationally recognized style mastery coach and content creator, Bethany Leonardo. Known for her YouTube channel, Dearly Bethany, Bethany commands a following of over 1 million and has accumulated over 68 million views. Tune in to hear how Bethany reshaped the fashion landscape on …

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Episode Four - CEO Alumni Panel featuring Ashley Leman l Owner, Revive Coffee Roasters, Ashton Hemminger l Owner, AJ & CO, and Drake Roach l Owner, SI Pressure Washing, LLC 51:59

1+ y ago51:59

51:59

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with a special panel of alumni business owners who shared their insight into individual business creation with current CEO participants. Tune in to hear what advice they have to give to students as they venture on their entrepreneurial journeys this year and beyond. More about our guests: …

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Episode Three - Amanda Owen l Author & Founder, Puzzle Pieces 55:14

1+ y ago55:14

55:14

In this Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with author, founder, and advocate, Amanda Owen. As the founder of Puzzle Pieces, Amanda always knew her life would involve caring for and opening doors for those with disabilities. Little did she know, however, the journey this mission would take her on. Tune in to hear how she has transformed he…

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Episode Two - Kevin Miller l Podcast Host & Author 1:00:07

1+ y ago1:00:07

1:00:07

In this week’s Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with podcast host and author, Kevin Miller. As a former pro athlete turned personal development guide, Kevin is no stranger to pivoting his life's direction and finding new opportunities along the way. Tune in to hear Kevin's perspective on how to do just that, as well as his advice on the …

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Episode One - Derek Laliberte l Founder & CEO, Distrupur 50:25

1+ y ago50:25

50:25

In this interview, we sat down with disrupter, founder, author, and creator, Derek Laliberte. As the brains behind the brand engagement agency, Disruptur, Derek gave us a glimpse into how he's shaking up the world of sales & marketing. Tune in to hear Derek's perspective on what is needed to challenge the status quo, the importance of authenticity …

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How to Leverage CEO l Emma Schoth & Nick Smith 47:58

2y ago47:58

47:58

The CEO experience is one that is incredibly unique. It leaves its participants with tools and skills that many of their peers don't have. So how do they use those skills to the max? In this episode, we’re joined by two successful CEO alumni, Nick Smith (Sangamon CEO) and Emma Schoth (Land of Lincoln CEO), to hear how CEO has helped them get to whe…

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Dan Chancellor l Co-founder, So iLL 55:58

2y ago55:58

55:58

In this week's conversation with Dan Chancellor, co-founder and owner of So iLL climbing, we peel back the curtain into what it takes to build a product-based company completely from scratch. From insight into the value of selling direct to consumer to the importance of building a positive team around you, Dan walks us through the ups and downs tha…

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Lindsay Boccardo l Speaker l Millennial Coach l Drummer 53:17

2y ago53:17

53:17

In this conversation, Lindsay Boccardo, a professional drummer turned millennial coach, shares her journey of how she got to where she is today. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways - from insights into how to find your passion at a young age to practical tips for identifying the direction you want to take in your life, and everything els…

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Sam Rowen & Sam Abrahamson l Founders, Onomy 52:23

2y ago52:23

52:23

In this conversation, Sam Rowen & Sam Abrahamson, founders of Onomy, share why they're so passionate about demystifying the "secrets" of adulthood by creating the educational content "we all wish we had growing up." From free courses to podcasts, Onomy is teaching millions of young adults personal finance, career-readiness, and more - all taught by…

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Dan Miller l New York Times Bestselling Author l Podcast Host 53:19

2y ago53:19

53:19

Dan Miller, world-renowned author of 48 Days do the Work and Life You Love, joined us for this episode to share how he created a life and work that he loved - from the ground up. Expect to hear insight from Dan about what he has seen to be the most predictive of an individual's success, the value of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset, and one of…

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Ainsley Britain l Author l Enneagram Coach l Podcast Host 51:55

2y ago51:55

51:55

Ainsley Britain has built a movement around helping young adults embrace their confidence, date healthy, and discover their true identity. In this episode, hear how Ainsley found - and followed- her passion to where she is today, how she encourages young people to find their own direction, and what it means to take risks, fail and pivot along the w…

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Joan Pacetti l Co-Founder, The Cookie Dough Cafe 47:48

2y ago47:48

47:48

In this conversation, Joan Pacetti, founder of The Cookie Dough Cafe, shared her entrepreneurial transformation from stay at home mom to co-founder of the edible cookie dough craze that has taken the world by storm. Expect to hear insight into Joan's experience on Shark Tank, what success means to her and what it looks like to continuously evolve a…

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Chris Farace l Founder l CEO l Investor 52:52

2y ago52:52

52:52

In this energetic conversation, Chris Farace shares his inspiring and unexpected entrepreneurial journey from drum teacher to serial entrepreneur, who would go on to lead the way in Real Estate virtual reality space innovation before founding Comet Global, a company offering a range of artificial intelligence software growth tools that help thousan…

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Karis Hortin & Austin Brooks l Introduction to Season Two 20:23

2y ago20:23

20:23

Karis (Hortin) Bell, this season’s host, and Austin Brooks, Executive Director of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, kick off season two of the Fearless Founders podcast by revisiting the series’ mission, its inception, and the impact it's having on young people across the nation. Hear more about Karis’ story, how CEO impacted her own life…

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Trailer: Fearless Founders Season 2 1:04

2y ago1:04

1:04

Mark your calendars! Season 2 of the Fearless Founders podcast drops next week on Tuesday, August 7th. Fearless Founders podcast is an audio adaptation of a live experience hosted for CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program participants across the nation each year. A part of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s ever-present mis…

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Kristen Hadeed: Leadership Thought Leader | Author of Permission To Screw Up & Founder of Student Maid 44:49

3y ago44:49

44:49

In her conversations with high-level businesses and organizations all over the world, Kristen Hadeed talks a lot about giving yourself - and others - permission to fail. But recently, she's also been passionate about what it means to give yourself permission to pivot - which is exactly what she did in her business over the past year. In this conver…

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Alexis Teichmiller l Emotional Growth Coach & Founder of The Deeper Life & Partnership Manager at Circle 51:01

3y ago51:01

51:01

In this special role-reversal episode, we have the unique opportunity to hear from Fearless Founder host herself, Alexis Teichmiller. Expect candid conversation about how CEO helped prepare Alexis to build her own business at a young age, the challenges she overcame, and how the entrepreneurial mindset, in general, has supported her in both her ent…

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Wilbur You: Founder & CEO, Youtech 55:35

3y ago55:35

55:35

What’s the best social media platform for entrepreneurs today? In this episode, hear the perspective of Wilber You, CEO of Youtech, on that and more. He and Alexis discuss what it means to fail and why it is an important part of learning. No stranger to failure himself, Wilbur is a proponent of NOT letting your shortcomings dictate your success. Ex…

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Maya Elious: CEO, Built to Impact 59:42

3y ago59:42

59:42

In 2008, Maya Elios was a freshman in college and designing Myspace pages for $35 a piece. By 2016, she was earning $10k a month. From there, she continued to build a wildly successful business as a personal brand strategist, coach, and consultant. Maya began her business early, so she understands how to struggle to be taken seriously when you're y…

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Cathryn Lavery: CEO & Founder of BestSelf Co 1:01:00

3y ago1:01:00

1:01:00

In 2015, Cathryn Lavery launched a Kickstarter to crowdfund her first BestSelf journal. Just two years later, the company had grown to 8 million. In this refreshingly open and honest conversation, Cathryn and Alexis explore what that journey was like for Cathryn and her company. They touch on how important it is to set clear goals as well as a stra…

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Sarah Petty: Speaker, Author, Photography, & Owner of The Joy of Marketing 1:03:25

3+ y ago1:03:25

1:03:25

In this energetic and inspiring conversation, Sarah and Alexis talk through the key differences between owning a brick-and-mortar business and an online business. Come ready to hear Sarah's expert insight around the importance of building strong relationships in business, as well as the role that photography and visual content play in growing an au…

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Rory Vaden: Entrepreneur, Speaker, & Bestselling Author 1:04:51

3+ y ago1:04:51

1:04:51

In this episode, entrepreneur, speaker, and bestselling author, Rory Vaden, and host Alexis Teichmiller discuss work ethic and how it plays a role in success. Stories will be shared as they unpack the topic of discipline and what it looks like in life and business. Be prepared, as well, for insight into Rory's expert perspective on attitude - what …

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Brandon Wynn: Olympic Champion and Entrepreneur 58:20

3+ y ago58:20

58:20

When asked about his success, Brandon Wynn, Olympic Champion and Entrepreneur, always stressed that his mindset was the biggest factor in all of it. In this episode, Alexis and Brandon dig into what it means to build mental strength and how it can help navigate life, business, and personal challenges. Expect to hear personal stories about how to us…

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Introduction to Fearless Founders 30:04

3+ y ago30:04

30:04

In this inaugural episode of the Fearless Founders podcast, hear season three host, Alexis Teichmiller and Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s Executive Director, Austin Brooks, discuss the mission behind the series, how it became a reality, and the impact it’s having on young people across the nation. They put into perspective the importance …

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Teaser: Fearless Founders 0:43

3+ y ago0:43

0:43

Fearless Founders – Fearless Founders podcast is an audio adaptation of a live experience hosted for CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program participants across the nation each year. CEO is an entrepreneurship program provided by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship that is transforming young people across the nation into entrepr…