Kiowa Saunders didn't have an easy childhood growing up.

His mom and dad divorced when he was 9 months old.

He saw his dad once or twice a year until age 18. He tells us that it's clear looking back that his parents didn't try very hard to be parents.

But he did have a mentor in Oakland, CA who raised him.

Big Jim was a father figure for Ki.

Ki's story is a story of triumph through adversity.

Today, Ki is the founder and owner of GROW LLC, husband, and father of two.

Ki's main goals, in his words, are to "be the best husband I can be, to be the best father I can be, and to make a shit ton of money."

In this episode, we talk about how important it is to set goals, and get aligned with them, so that you know what direction you're headed.

Ki talks about reverse engineering his 1000 day plan, and how he and his wife handle conflict.

An entrepreneur since his teenage years selling candy and soda and weed out of his locker, Ki now helps businesses develop and commercialize food products, distribution networks, and sales opportunities.

Today, we chat about taking the entrepreneurial spirit and applying it to your most important relationships.

Some gold hidden within if you dare to listen...

All this and more...

This... is Dads Interrupted.

To check out what Kiowa's up to:

Website: Grow LLC

Instagram: Kiowa Saunders

About the Host:

Hi, I'm Fred Van Riper—husband, father, former construction professional, and creator of the Connection Architecture Process. I help growth-oriented leaders become more clear, confident, and connected through transformational leadership development.

I work with leaders who are successful on paper but know there's another level available—leaders who want to architect genuine connection rather than hope for it. Whether you're leading teams, building businesses, or navigating the complexities of modern fatherhood, everything starts with how you lead yourself.

This podcast explores the intersection of leadership, connection, and authentic living. No corporate fluff. No outdated "authority" models. Just real conversations about the invisible forces that shape how we show up—and practical tools to transform them.

My approach combines unconventional methods with proven frameworks because breakthrough moments happen when we bypass the analytical mind and access our authentic leadership wisdom. Think leadership archaeology, emotional weather systems, and connection as a competitive advantage.

Ready to go deeper?

The Connection Blueprint is my flagship 3-week leadership development experience launching September 2025. This live "course" is designed for leaders who see connection skills as leadership development, not crisis management. Reserve your spot here.

Want immediate insight? Book a free Strategy Call to explore how the Connection Architecture Process applies to your specific leadership challenges.

Looking for resources you can dive into right now? Check out my complete toolkit.

Everything begins with how you lead yourself. Your success, how you handle failure, conflict, and challenging emotions—it all connects back to how connected you are to yourself and others. Let's architect that connection together.

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Disclaimer: The content contained herein is for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat a viewer/listener with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist but is for the purpose of educating the viewer about new approaches to working on personal problems. Viewers/listeners should use this podcast at their own risk, with the understanding that we are not liable for its impact or effect on its users. Viewing/listening to the podcast does not form a practitioner/client relationship between the viewer/listener.