Adrienne Barker Speaks: No Prep Needed

In this powerful roundtable episode of Adrienne Barker Speaks, information architect and leadership coach Dylan Bost shares his journey through business success, personal collapse, addiction, healing, and profound self-awareness. Dylan explains why we are not our stories — but the ones telling them — and how true transformation begins with awareness, not force.

Joined by a live panel of coaches, healers, and community leaders, the conversation dives into living from the scar rather than the wound, subconscious conditioning, nervous system regulation, emotional integration, leadership alignment, and Dylan’s upcoming book The Seven Mirrors: A Guide to Remembering Yourself. The discussion becomes a rare, honest exploration of healing, identity, and what it means to lead — and live — consciously.

What happens when success no longer feels aligned? In this deeply reflective live conversation, Dylan Bost explores identity, awareness, healing, and what it truly means to live — and lead — from presence instead of performance.

1. You are not your story — you are the one telling it, and you can choose to tell a new one.
2. Awareness is the medicine — healing begins when unconscious patterns are seen, even before they’re “fixed.”
3. Live from the scar, not the wound — healed experiences inform wisdom without emotional captivity.
4. Alignment matters more than performance — success without alignment leads to collapse, not fulfillment.
5. True leadership is human — integrating personal and professional life creates healthier businesses and lives.“I’m not my story — I’m the one telling it.” — Dylan BostAlt quote options:
   • “Awareness, to me, is the greatest medicine there is.”
   • “We’re not here to become a higher version of ourselves — we’re here to remember who we already are.”
   • “Every trigger is a mirror showing us something that wants to be healed.”

   Connect with Dylan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanbost/

In this conversation, Khrystyna Baca shares her journey as a young founder building mission-driven solutions across healthcare and finance. Drawing from personal experience, Khrystyna explains how long-term thinking, logical decision-making, and consistent action shape sustainable success. She challenges listeners to stop waiting for the “right time,” confront fear head-on, and build with purpose rather than pressure. This episode is a powerful reminder that progress comes from doing—not just talking.

What happens when lived experience meets long-term thinking and decisive action? Khrystyna shares how purpose, logic, and resilience can turn challenges into real-world solutions—and why action matters more than intention.

• Think long-term: Real decisions should be guided by where you want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years—not just today.
• Action beats intention: Time passes quickly; growth only happens when ideas turn into action.
• Fear can be a teacher: Growth begins when fear is faced, not avoided.
• Logic matters: Clear, thoughtful decision-making creates stronger outcomes than emotion alone.
• Your experience has value: Personal challenges can become the foundation for meaningful impact.
• Build with purpose: Sustainable success comes from alignment, not shortcuts.

“Growth really does start once you let the fear go.”

connect with Khrystyna Baca https://www.linkedin.com/in/khrystyna-baca-baa470260/

She spent years as “the person behind the person,” building other people’s platforms, brands, and books—until a layoff pushed her to develop her own, finally. In this episode, Kelly Schuknecht, founder and CEO of Two Mile High Marketing, shares how she helps business owners step into thought leadership, land speaking and podcast opportunities, and turn their expertise into real authority.

In this conversation, Adrienne talks with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing and host of the Beyond the Best Seller podcast. Kelly walks through her journey from a decade in publishing to becoming the first marketing hire at an accounting firm, where she built a full marketing department and helped grow the firm from $4M to $12M in revenue—only to lose her role after the company was acquired.

Instead of going back to being “the person behind the person,” Kelly decided to start her own company and focus on what she does best: helping business owners build a thought-leadership platform. She explains what thought leadership really means, why clarity of message matters more than “talking about everything,” and how she and her team help clients refine their niche, develop signature frameworks, write books, get on podcasts, secure speaking opportunities, and strengthen their presence on platforms like LinkedIn.

Kelly and Adrienne also walk through Kelly’s Thought Leadership Quiz live on the website, demonstrating how it helps people identify their strengths and areas for growth. Along the way, Kelly shares real success stories—from the accountant who became “the guy with the book” for law firms, to the AI expert whose strategy had to shift because events in his niche were pay-to-play. She also discusses using AI as a tool (not a replacement for real human connection), why “done is better than perfect” when it comes to websites and branding, and why experts need to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

“Nothing replaces you getting on a stage or a podcast and connecting with people. AI can’t do that for you.”

• Thought leadership starts with a clear message, not “I can talk about anything.” Kelly helps clients clarify who they serve, what they’re known for, and the specific problems they solve, so their marketing and speaking actually land.
• Your experience has more value than you think—if you put it to work. Years of publishing and marketing taught Kelly that many professionals underestimate how much they know. Books, talks, podcasts, and LinkedIn content are powerful ways to build authority on that knowledge.
• Done is better than perfect—especially at the beginning. Kelly launched her business before her branding and website were “perfect.” She emphasizes that waiting for everything to look flawless delays momentum; you can refine as you go, as long as you’re consistently showing up and serving your audience.

http://www.kellyschuknecht.com

If today’s conversation inspired you to elevate your brand and grow your thought leadership, be sure to connect with Kelly! You can visit www.kellyschuknecht.com to explore her free resources, check out her podcast Beyond the Bestseller, or book a consultation to take the next step in your journey.

He started working heavy equipment as a kid, built a side hustle in college just to pay for a dirt bike shop, and turned it into a nationwide manufacturing company. In this episode, Roggen Frick, co-owner of Bear Ironworks, shares how he built a family-run, American-made construction equipment brand that ships across the country—and what it really takes to grow and manage a lean, efficient business.

In this conversation, Adrienne sits down with Roggen Frick, vice president and co-owner of Bear Ironworks, a Colorado-based manufacturer of rock screens, snow pushers, tracking pads, and other excavation and construction equipment—sold primarily through e-commerce and shipped nationwide.

Roggen shares how growing up in the construction world, operating equipment from a young age, and learning to weld alongside his dad laid the foundation for his future as both an operator and entrepreneur. He talks about starting Bear Ironworks as a side business in college just to fund his dirt bike hobby, shutting it down to finish school, then relaunching it with his dad in the middle of COVID and scaling it into a full manufacturing operation.

He breaks down how they went from “one-off custom orders” to a true manufacturing system with inventory, logistics, and online marketing, and how he manages a Colorado factory while living in South Carolina. Roggen also opens up about challenges with being a young leader in a seasoned industry, navigating inflation and rising costs, and using lean principles and data to create efficiency so he can afford to provide solid wages and benefits for his team.

It’s a story of family, grit, and building something real and tangible—one piece of steel at a time.

“I’m not the expert in the situation—I’m just the director of the chaos trying to make something happen.”

• Family roots can fuel powerful businesses. Growing up in construction with a dad who owned companies gave Roggen not just skills, but a mindset for problem-solving, grit, and ownership.
• His first business goal? A dirt bike shop. Bear Ironworks originally started in college as a side hustle to pay rent on a shop where he could work on his dirt bike—proof that real businesses can grow from very simple, personal motivations.
• From custom jobs to true manufacturing. Roggen transformed Bear Ironworks from “someone calls, we build one” into a real manufacturing company with stock, systems, scheduling, and predictable output.
• Logistics can make or break a product business. Shipping large, heavy steel equipment nationwide was almost what killed the business early on—bringing in an operations/logistics expert was a turning point.
• Lean management + data = resilience. Roggen uses data and lean practices to continuously cut waste, increase efficiency, and free up resources to provide healthcare and retirement benefits without sacrificing the bottom line.
• Being young doesn’t mean pretending to know everything. Instead of fighting age bias in construction, he focused on listening, respecting experience, asking questions, and positioning himself as the one coordinating the work, not claiming to know more than veterans.
• Niche products thrive online when marketed smartly. Bear Ironworks relies heavily on SEO, Google ads, Google Shopping, and retargeting to reach contractors who are actively looking for specific equipment—not just casually scrolling.Visit the website at https://beariron.com/

When you’re building a business, the most expensive problems are often the ones you never saw coming. In this episode, Business Mistake Prevention Specialist William Holsten shares how a carnival game side hustle turned into a patented product, a $2M revenue run… and a painful $2.3M lesson. From broken dunk-tank alternatives to distraction, fatigue, and burnout, William shows entrepreneurs how to spot their personal risk patterns—and “uh-oh proof” their business before costly mistakes derail success.

In this conversation, William Holsten walks through his 38-year career in corporate marketing and innovation—and the family side business that taught him the high cost of preventable mistakes. He shares the story of inventing Pitch Burst, a “drought-proof dunk tank” that took off quickly but nearly destroyed the business when early versions weren’t built for heavy rental use.

William explains how those “uh-oh moments” led to a redesigned product, multiple patented games, and ultimately a $2M business that still lives on today—even though the journey ended in a net loss and a lot of hard-earned wisdom.

Now retired from corporate life, William mentors entrepreneurs through SCORE, wrote the book “Uh-Oh! How to Avoid Unintentional Blunders that Derail Entrepreneurial Success,” and created mistakeriskquiz.com. This free tool helps founders assess their personal risk of mistakes across six areas, including stress, fatigue, assumptions, and distractions. He explains why behavior—not age, gender, or background—drives mistake risk, and how simple habits and tools can dramatically reduce the likelihood of costly, painful missteps.

1. “Uh-oh moments” are inevitable—but preventable losses aren’t.
2. Your behavior is a bigger risk factor than your demographics.
3. Prototype thinking isn’t enough—you must design for real-world use.
4. Distraction and fatigue quietly fuel most everyday business errors.
5. Learning from others’ mistakes is a power move.

Connect with William: https://williamholsten.com/

In this episode of Adrienne Barker Speaks No Prep Needed, Adrienne sits down with Jon Morris, founder of Fiscal Advocate and the entrepreneur who grew Rise Interactive from a $10K business plan competition win into a nearly $40 million digital agency before selling it. Jon breaks down financial strategy in plain English, explaining how service-based businesses can use their numbers to grow faster, become more profitable, and stop making emotional decisions that quietly sabotage long-term success. From understanding why most companies get stuck at the same revenue level to knowing when growth requires spending less profit, not more hustle, this conversation is a masterclass in clarity, leadership, and financial truth-telling.

Six Key Takeaways

→ There are only three KPIs that truly matter: cash on hand, profit margin and revenue growth → Most service based businesses stall because gross margins are too low not because sales are too weak

→ Spending more money does not guarantee growth but reducing the right expenses always improves stability

→ People costs make up roughly 80 percent of service businesses so financial fixes require emotional leadership

→ Profitable companies often fail to grow because they under invest in sales marketing and innovation

→ A strong finance strategy removes emotion from decision-making and gives CEOs the confidence to act

Who This Episode Is For → Founders and CEOs of service based businesses earning between $5M and $50M → Business owners who feel stuck at the same revenue level year after year → Leaders who want clarity instead of guessing month to month → Entrepreneurs who want their financial data actually to guide growth decisions

How to Connect With Jon Morris Website →http://www.fiscaladvocate.com

When does free speech become a human rights issue, and how should we respond when the public demands answers?

In this episode, Adrienne Barker hosts attorney Evan W. Turk, guiding a live conversation streamed across Chatter Social and Debate The News with Jonathan Bing. Evan W. Turk is the Founding Attorney of Turk Law Group, former attorney to President Donald J. Trump, and CEO of the American Rights Alliance.

What began as a discussion about free speech through a human rights lens expanded quickly as the live audience raised questions about government transparency, accountability, unresolved public controversies, and the emotional impact of information gaps. Listeners pressed Evan on issues including institutional trust, the role of public figures, and widely discussed topics such as the Epstein files.

Evan responded by addressing intent versus impact, responsibility when speaking publicly, and how speculation grows when facts remain unclear. Adrienne moderated the room by grounding the conversation in responsible communication, clarity, and the importance of restraint when navigating sensitive or emotionally charged questions.

This episode reflects a dynamic, real-time exchange shaped by Evan’s legal perspective, Adrienne’s steady moderation, and a highly engaged audience across ten platforms.

Key Takeaways

→ Human rights become relevant when speech affects dignity, safety, or public trust

→ Audience questions revealed frustration around transparency and unresolved public issues

→ Evan explained the legal and ethical difference between intention and impact

→ Discussion of the Epstein files showed how information gaps fuel speculation

→ Evan emphasized restraint and verification before making public claims

→ Live participation proved how quickly conversations shift when emotions rise

→ Evan explained why intention does not cancel impact when speaking in public forums

How to Reach the Guest

Learn more about Evan W. Turk and Turk Law Group: https://www.turklawgroup.com/

Disclaimer

This episode reflects a live, unscripted discussion with real time audience participation. The views expressed by Evan W. Turk and participants are their own. Adrienne Barker and Adrienne Barker Speaks do not endorse or oppose any political, legal, or factual claims made during the conversation. Listener discretion is advised.

What if the key to transforming a blue-collar workplace isn’t tougher rules — but deeper connection?

Kevin D’Anna went from three DUIs and a life going nowhere to becoming a John Maxwell–certified leadership coach helping collision shops and auto businesses build cultures people are proud to work in. His story proves that the right leadership can change lives.

In this inspiring episode, Kevin D’Anna shares his journey from hitting rock bottom to rising into leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Now a John Maxwell–certified coach, he works with collision centers and auto shops to help them shift from traditional “command and control” management to servant leadership — the kind that builds trust, accountability, and real performance.

Kevin explains how leaders can become a resource for their people, why clarity and systems reduce frustration, and how effective leadership can rewrite someone’s entire future. From generational differences to communication challenges to creating a culture of ownership, Kevin breaks down what truly moves a workplace forward.

This episode is packed with wisdom for any leader — in business or in life — who wants to empower people, elevate culture, and create meaningful change.

• Servant leadership starts with service. Leaders create success by supporting their people, not controlling them.
• Clarity prevents chaos. When expectations and systems are unclear, conflict grows. When they’re clear, people step up.
• People respond to connection. Ask about lives, families, and goals —it builds trust and loyalty.
• You can’t force growth — but you can model it. When leaders show humility and growth, teams follow.
• Every setback can become a setup. Kevin’s rock-bottom moments shaped him into the mentor he is today.
• Coaching unlocks what’s already inside. A great coach helps you sort your thoughts, find solutions, and move forward with confidence.

Connect with Kevin: https://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/KevinDAnna

• “They’re not your resource — you are their resource for success.”
• “If I push you, you’ll push back. But if I walk with you, you’ll walk with me.”
• “My past didn’t happen to me — it happened for me, so I could help others lead differently.”

What happens when a little boy obsessed with radishes grows up, travels the world, survives dengue in the Amazon, and then becomes a regenerative landscape architect? You get one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had all year.

Matthieu Mehuys’s story is pure heart, grit, and purpose. He grew up on a Belgian farm, fell in love with plants at age five, and later traveled the world studying permaculture, eco–projects, and sustainable design. A life-changing health crisis forced him to start asking deeper questions about why he was here and what impact he was meant to make.

Today, Matthieu designs lush, low-maintenance gardens that work with nature instead of against it and teaches others how to do the same through his award-winning book and global masterclass. We talk about regenerative farming, soil health, climate change, and why industrial agriculture created as many problems as it solved. We also explore his company, Polonia Landscape Architects, and his book, The 12 Universal Laws of Nature. This episode will change the way you look at the earth beneath your feet.

Six Key Takeaways

→ Childhood curiosity often reveals your true purpose

→ Industrial farming solved hunger but damaged the planet

→ Regeneration begins with understanding nature instead of fighting it

→ Beautiful gardens can be low maintenance when designed the right way

→ Your deepest setbacks can become your most important turning points

→ Follow your dream or you’ll end up living someone else’s expectations

Matthieu Mehuys Landscape Architect and Regenerative Garden Designer Founder of Polonia Landscape Architects Author of The 12 Universal Laws of Nature Creator of the Garden of Your Dreams Masterclass Website link is included in the episode description.

If you host a podcast or run a community, Matthieu is an exceptional guest with a powerful story and deep expertise. You’ll find his website and book links in the show description.

If this episode inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares deeply about the planet.

This episode is powerful. It is raw. It is full of truth you can feel in your chest. HR Huntsman went from a painful childhood in New Mexico to building a global organization and becoming a trusted mentor to leaders worldwide. His story stays with you long after the episode ends.

HR opens up about the defining moments that shaped him, including the chaplain who changed his life and helped him rewrite his future. He shares how he transformed pain into purpose, why modern leadership looks nothing like leadership of the past, and the mindset shifts every leader must make to create real influence and impact.

He breaks down the Leadership Performance Engine, the real meaning behind servant leadership, the danger of managing to numbers instead of nurturing people, and what it takes for leaders to create trust, connection, and high performance in today’s workforce.

If you want to lead better at work, at home, or in life, this conversation is pure gold.

→ Leadership is influence, not title. If people are not following you, you are not leading. You are simply walking alone.

→ Pain can become purpose. HR’s early life shaped the empathy and service that fuel his leadership today.

→ Different generations require different leadership styles. Millennials and Gen Z do not lack work ethic. They simply respond to leaders who connect with purpose.

→ Accountability is connection, not control. Real accountability grows in environments of trust and respect.

→ The best leaders develop other leaders. There is no success without a successor.

→ Authenticity wins every time. Honest conversations build trust and unlock real performance.

→ Mindset changes when you fall in love with your future self. HR shares how he did it and how anyone can.

Quotes from HR Huntsman

“Leadership is influence. If people aren’t following you, you’re not a leader. You’re just taking a walk.” “There is no success without a successor.” “To change your mindset, you must fall in love with a future version of yourself that is so compelling you’ll break through anything to get there.” “Being a good human is good business.”

Learn more about HR Huntsman and the mission behind Leader’s Edge https://yourleadersedge.com/

Leader’s Edge exists to empower leaders to become the very best version of themselves. By interrogating reality, provoking creativity, and inspiring change, they develop exceptional leaders and teams. What if the most outstanding leaders are not those with titles, but rather the ones who choose influence, empathy, and impact?