Rounding The Bases With Joel Goldberg

Greg Graves knows a thing or two about creating an amazing place to work. He is the former CEO and Chairman of 100% employee owned Burns & McDonnell Engineering & Construction Company. During his 13 years in the role, Burns & McDonnell grew employment 400% and revenue 1000%. His proudest accomplishment as CEO was the company being named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Work 10 times. Now retired, Greg is the author of the book "Create Amazing", amongst other impressive endeavors.

Providing access...the most important aspect of Dan Smith and Charon Thompson's business, The Porter House KC, which is an inner-city based co-working community that provides entrepreneurship access and resources to underserved populations in the Kansas City Metro area. The two former college fraternity brothers have run businesses together for years and now their mission is to be a bridge for underrepresented individuals that typically don't have access to the entrepreneurial dream.

An immigrant to the US, Rania Anderson is "driven by a deeply held conviction that the global economy will only thrive when women and all people are equally engaged in leading its prosperity." Rania is an author, international keynote speaker on inclusive leadership, gender parity and the advancement of women, and an executive business coach. Listen to this enlightening conversation that teaches the importance of compassion through empathy.

There is a sleeping giant in every human. Brian Bogert's purpose in life is to awaken those giants within and turn them into legends by helping them grab what they believe is just out of their grasp. Brian is revolutionizing how individuals, leaders, and entrepreneurs deeply connect with their authentic selves to achieve the best version of themselves. Brian's story is unique and brave, but he wants all of us to embrace our own story to create a life without limits.

Mary B. Lucas is an author, speaker and people connector. Mary’s highly successful book, Lunchmeat & Life Lessons, is a motivational memoir and tribute to her father on how to bring out the best in yourself and others. She has spoken to thousands of people at hundreds of corporate audiences, commencement addresses and professional meetings with one mission: to share life lessons that help people create meaningful connections and inspire themselves.

Coming from a line of entrepreneurs, Brandy McCombs always knew she wanted to own her own business. In 2009, her dream came true when she started IBC, a Kansas City construction company, in the corner office of her master bedroom with $10,000, and a vision. In a few short years, Brandy and her team led the company to its remarkable multimillion-dollar growth. Passionate about giving back to the community, Brandy is involved in countless organizations and created IBC's purpose to "build better lives".

Paul Epstein believes there are two types of people in this world—those who play defense—and those who PLAY OFFENSE.These insights around purpose, performance, and impact weregathered over a 15-year run as a professional sports executive– where Paul successfully steered business teams that executed billion-dollar NFL campaigns, broke Super Bowl revenue records, and generated league-leading sales results for cellar dwelling NBA clubs. An entertaining conversation you don't want to miss!

As an entrepreneur, former executive, husband, and father of 3, Cory Carlson knows the pressures working parents face. 20 years in corporate America gave Cory amazing opportunities. But he also saw brokenness: work without purpose, burnout, lack of focus, strained marriages, and absentee parents. When Cory discovered coaching, it helped him become a better leader, husband, and father. So he left his corporate career to help other leaders achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Power couple Chris and Angie Long never planned to own soccer team, but the dynamic duo found themselves as co-owners of Kansas City's new women's team. The couple, along with NFL star Patrick Mahomes’ fiancée Brittany Matthews, a former college and pro soccer player, co-founded the new sports team in Dec 2020. The founders are paving the way for women sports empowering countless people along the way. Listen to hear about Chris and Angie's successful careers, and their powerful effect on women's sports.

Legendary Hall of Fame pitcher LeRoy Satchel Paige spent much of his life playing baseball and living in Kansas City. The 3700-square foot home he owned from 1950 until his death in 1982 has been uninhabited for years and suffered a fire in 2018. The city, the Royals and a local group, Pitch Perfect KC, led by architect Vincent Gauthier will be restoring the historic home. Gauthier spoke with Joel about the project and the significance of the home.

Carlos Antequera's entrepreneurial journey began at 18 years old when he immigrated to the US from Bolivia. With sights set on Miami, he ended up in Topeka for college eventually settling in the Midwest as a successful entrepreneur. He is currently the co-founder of Novel Capital, a Kansas City firm that leverages Revenue-Based Financing to provide growth capital to early-stage software companies that don’t fit the traditional venture or banking models.

"Finding Your Joy Spot" the name of Joel's guest's book and also a big topic of this conversation. Yes, we all have a "joy spot" and Leona deVinne wants to help you find it. In her book, she provides frameworks that are science based to help readers discover joy in unexpected places. Leona is an entrepreneur, a certified coach and facilitator at deVille Partners, a coach and Joy guru at leonadevinne.com and Sock Broker at joysocks.ca.

Brian McMaster is a true success story and an example of grit and resilience. As a young entrepreneur running a company in 2001, the September 11attacks affected his business and sent him into bankruptcy. He started M&M Quality Solutions, Inc. two years later as one of two employees with a first year revenue of $30,000. M&M now employs 80 people around the country and expects revenue of close to $12M in 2021.

A former NBA player turned writer, entrepreneur, and speaker, Paul Shirley humanizes professional athletes by showing a side of sport that many do not see. As a "12th man", Paul's playing career may not have been glorified, he may not have been a superstar, but he found a true love of writing during his playing days. Writing became his passion. Paul is now the author of three books and the founder of numerous ventures including The Process and Writers Blok.

He was named "The Go-To Business Coach" by International Business Times, he started his first business at the age of 4, created his first multi-million dollar business at 24, and has helped others generate millions with his strategies. His name is Charles Gaudet and he attributes his personal success to his passion for his craft. Passion is what sets him apart and it's what separates his clients from being good to being the best. His words are inspiring, the conversation a must-listen.

A fantastic conversation about women in sports, gender inequalities, successes and failures, and how each of these topics fit into the workplace. Ann Gaffigan was a standout high school and college athlete competing in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Had the steeplechase been a female Olympic event, Ann would be an Olympian. Ann is currently the Director of Technology Operations at Dimensional Innovations.

Superhuman might be the word to describe world champion boxer, Christy Martin. She was relentless inside the ring recording victory after victory paving the way for women in boxing. But it was outside the ring where Christy fought her greatest battle. After suffering domestic violence and a murder attempt by her former husband, Christy has made it her life’s mission to support family abuse victims and survivors in their own fight for life. She is a hero and a beacon of hope for women and men.

Youth sports has drastically changed over the years, but KC Athletic Training instills the heart of sport while also changing with the times. They have a culture that strengthens young athletes into becoming successful men and women. Jim Tuso is the Facility Director at KC Athlete Training, which has been in Kansas City for 21 years. Jim's own sports background helps him shape young athlete's lives. Joel and Jim have a great conversation about youth sports as well as staying on top of the business game.

Max Kaniger is the founder of Kanbe's Markets, a nonprofit organization providing access to fresh, affordable and healthy foods to people experiencing food insecurity.Kanbe’s Markets first program, the Healthy Corner Store, aims to solve food insecurity in Kansas City through small-scale, sustainable, and affordable produce stands set up in corner stores across the city. Max largely funded the project himself, but early success led Kanbe’s to expand to twenty-five full-time staff, and over 40 location

Sam Rapoport is the Sr. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the NFL. She has dedicated her career to creating innovative business models aimed at enfranchising marginalized populations in sport. She has worked to shift and progress diversity hiring in football, and catalyzed a movement for women in sports by creating a new diversity platform for the NFL. Rapoport was recently named one of SI's most Powerful, Most Influential and Most Outstanding Women in Sports.