#260: Jess Ekstrom is the founder of Headbands of Hope and Mic Drop Workshop, investor in women, best selling author, Forbes Top Rated Speaker and mom.

Her first brush with success was selling all of her toys on eBay when she was twelve. Since then, Jess and her companies have been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America and more. More importantly, her companies have helped millions of women and girls around the world.

She’s the bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Making it Without Losing it. Her hobbies include writing, hiking, board games with her husband, playing hide and seek with her kids, and searching for the best breakfast burrito in America.

Social Media links:

www.instagram.com/jess_ekstrom

www.facebook.com/jessekstrom

www.twitter.com/jess_ekstrom

https://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstrom

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342/

https://micdropworkshop.com/

https://jessekstrom.com/

#259: Tony Schell is the co-founder and general partner at Escalate Capital Partners, a leading private credit and growth equity firm based in Austin, Texas. Since co-founding the firm in 2005, he has helped build Escalate into a prominent provider of flexible, non-dilutive capital solutions for growth-stage companies across technology, software, services, and healthcare sectors.

With decades of experience in venture lending, structured finance, and growth investing, Schell has played a central role in deploying over $1.3 billion of capital into more than 140 companies, supporting businesses as they scale toward profitability, acquisitions, or public exits.

At Escalate, he focuses on structuring tailored financing solutions—blending debt and equity—to help entrepreneurs extend runway, preserve ownership, and accelerate growth. Under his leadership, the firm has become known for its collaborative, long-term approach and deep relationships across the venture capital ecosystem.

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#258: Frank Weisser is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot best known for flying with the elite Blue Angels and for his role as a pilot and aviation coordinator on the blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Weisser logged thousands of flight hours in high-performance aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, earning recognition for both his precision in the cockpit and his leadership in high-pressure environments. After his military service, he brought his real-world expertise to Hollywood, helping deliver the film’s authentic aerial sequences while also flying as a stunt pilot. Known for his discipline, humility, and pursuit of excellence, Weisser’s career bridges elite military aviation and storytelling at the highest level.

frankweisser.net

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#257: Michaella Gallina built the career most people spend their entire lives chasing. She is a former Wall Street investor, VP of H&R Block and Chief Financial Officer who walked away from the pinnacle of her career to pursue a greater mission—helping others achieve true financial freedom and design a life on their own terms.

Raised in a small rural town of just 4,000 people, Michaella learned early that money wasn’t about status—it was about access, opportunity, and freedom. By 18, she was financially independent, working multiple jobs while earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance. She went on to build an elite career on Wall Street, working in investment banking, managing high-level portfolios, and eventually becoming CFO of a $100+ million fintech company. She was a top shareholder in Starbucks, Chipotle, Lululemon, Facebook and many other amazing companies. She met with Howard Schultz, Mark Zukerberg, Cheryl Sandberg, Tim Cook, and many other household name CEO’s.

But despite the success—working with some of the biggest companies and leaders in the world—she realized something was missing. The long hours, high pressure, and constant grind led her to a turning point: success without purpose wasn’t enough.

At 36, Michaella made a bold decision—she walked away from it all.

Today, she’s a speaker, coach, and advocate for financial empowerment, helping people—especially women, create independence, choice, and the ability to live life on your own terms. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: this isn’t just about money—it’s about building a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning.

www.michaellagallina.com

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#256: Luke Frizzell is a former Navy Seal & real estate entrepreneur with the RAL Room, but he is also one of my best friends and I am excited to share’s story today. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his upbringing was deeply rooted in faith, family, and sports. Influenced by his family's athletic background and his grandfather's wisdom, Luke developed a strong work ethic and a passion for serving others. His journey led him to the Virginia Military Institute, where he thrived academically and athletically, driven by a desire to join the Navy SEALs. Despite facing physical challenges rolling him back during training, Luke's determination and commitment saw him through, ultimately achieving his goal of becoming a SEAL. Now transitioning into civilian life, Luke applies his leadership skills and mission-driven mindset to the senior care industry, aiming to make a meaningful impact through his entrepreneurial ventures. Excited for you all to hear his story and for more on Luke check out theralroom.com 

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#255: Chris Kreider is the Rice Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach. He is a dedicated basketball coach with a rich background shaped by unique life experiences. Growing up as the son of missionaries, Chris spent his formative years in Colombia, South America, where he developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a passion for basketball. His journey in coaching began with a strong foundation in teaching and mentoring, influenced by his parents' sense of purpose and calling. Chris has worked with various esteemed basketball programs, including Georgia Tech and Rice University, where he emphasizes the importance of character, integrity, and building meaningful relationships with his players. His coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that success is not just about wins and losses but about developing individuals who are prepared for life beyond the court.

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#254: Tanner Gardner is the Director of Athletics at Pepperdine University and a former three-time All-American wrestler at Stanford, where he built a legacy of excellence both academically and athletically. After earning advanced degrees from Stanford and an MBA from Harvard, Gardner began his career in consulting before rising through leadership roles in college athletics, including serving as Deputy Athletic Director and COO at Rice University. Known for his mission-driven leadership, he focuses on building championship programs rooted in character, faith, and long-term development, with a strong emphasis on developing student-athletes into leaders who excel both in competition and in life.

#253: Jake Boss Jr. is the head baseball coach of the Michigan State Spartans and one of the most respected leaders in college baseball. Since taking over the program in 2009, Boss has guided the Spartans to more than 400 victories and led Michigan State to a Big Ten regular-season championship in 2011 and the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. 

He has coached multiple All-Big Ten performers and numerous players who have gone on to professional baseball. 

Before arriving at Michigan State, Boss served as head coach at Eastern Michigan and spent several years as an assistant at Michigan, helping develop nationally competitive programs. 

A former standout player at Alma College, Boss has built a reputation across college baseball for leadership, program building, and developing student-athletes both on and off the field.

For more on Coach Boss and Michigan State check out msuspartans.com 

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#252: Brett Ledbetter is an industry leading thinking partner for high performers in sport, eduction, and business. He is the founder of What Drives Winning, where he studies the mindsets and cultures behind sustained excellence. Brett works with elite athletes, championship coaches, executives, and high-performing teams to help them understand the deeper drivers of performance, leadership, and purpose. 

He has worked with coaches like Billy Donovan, Urban Meyer, Brad Stevens, Bob Stoops, Mark Few, Sherri Coale, and many other exceptional coaches. Known for his thoughtful approach to high performance, his work focuses on helping individuals pursue excellence in a healthy and sustainable way separating identity from outcomes and building cultures rooted in curiosity, humility, and growth. 

Through his research, speaking, and consulting, Brett has become a trusted voice for leaders seeking to build teams that not only win, but win the right way over the long term. Brett has authored six books. 

Each book has been developed into a graduate level course for the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. His newest book, 365 Questions, is out now. You can find out more about the book and Brett at www.whatdriveswinning.com 

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#251: Manish Vora is the Founder and the CEO of the Museum of Ice Cream, an immersive “experium” built to bring people together through play, joy and creativity. In 2016 he launched the first pop-up in New York City, which quickly grew into a global phenomenon with multiple permanent locations across the United States and Singapore, known for its colorful interactive exhibits and multi-sensory experiences that blend art and ice cream culture. Before this venture, he transitioned from a successful career in investment banking and executive leadership, including serving as CEO of the experience-tech venue Lightbox and co-founding the contemporary art platform GREY AREA into building innovative, experience-driven spaces that prioritize connection and human engagement. A graduate of Yale University, Vora also co-leads Figure8, the parent company of Museum of Ice Cream, helping guide its strategic growth, partnerships and continued expansion in the experiential space. For more on Manish you can find him & the Museum of Ice Cream on social, as well ascwww.museumoficecream.com or check out any of their locations in NYC, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Singapore, and other future locations. 

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