In this powerful episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jon Adams, a partner in a billion-dollar wealth management firm, for one of the most heartfelt and faith-filled conversations in the series. Jon opens up about growing up in his grandfather’s truck, learning grit and integrity on the family sod farm, and discovering entrepreneurship through pure initiative long before he built a career in finance.

The heart of this conversation centers on unimaginable loss. At age 34, Jon’s wife, Janelle, passed away suddenly, leaving him to raise four young children alone. What follows is a story of grace and divine timing; of friends and family who showed up when he could not stand on his own, and of faith that deepened through tragedy. Jon shares sacred experiences that reshaped his understanding of God’s presence, the power of community, and the beauty of second chances when he later met and married singer-songwriter Callie Reed.

This is an episode about faith in the dark, love that endures, and the quiet miracles that follow when you keep walking toward the light.

00:00 | Meeting Jon & the Adams brothers

02:31 | Farm-raised grit & the first land flip

08:42 | Hustle play: Jazz floor seats → warm leads

18:50 | Radical honesty in wealth management

22:30 | Partners, roles, and why differences work

23:04 | High-school best friends to marriage (Jenelle)

26:29 | Early marriage, duplex, and the first job

29:12 | Hospital shock: ITP diagnosis & teeter-totter care

33:10 | The hardest call: intubation & final goodbyes

44:04 | “I’m here to talk to Jon”: stake conference mercy

56:04 | The song, Callie Reed, and a second chance

59:45 | “Faith in His timing” (sometimes it means now)

01:16:43 | Lessons on grief, God, growth, and becoming

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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with family friend - Kristin Andrus. Recognized by many for her unwavering determination and passion, Kristin is part of an inspiring group of women who are making significant impacts in the world while managing the demands of being exceptional mothers.

Kristin shares her insights on creating balance in life rather than merely finding it. As a mother of six, an activist, and a public speaker, Kristin talks about her journey, the challenges of threading the needle between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the importance of intentional living. She emphasizes the necessity of self-care, maintaining personal identity, and fostering a supportive partnership in marriage.

Join in on this enlightening conversation where Kristin opens up about her advocacy work, the art of balancing various roles, and how she integrates service into her family life.

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In this episode, Casey sits down with Daniel O’Donnal, Owner of Saela Pest Control, for a deeply human conversation on leadership, identity, and what it means to build something meant to last. From bootstrapping a business from scratch to a nine-figure exit, Daniel reflects on 17 years of grit, partnership, and the belief that real success is measured by the lives you impact, not just the profits you earn.

He shares lessons learned from his partners, Andrew and Blaine Richardson, and the moments that nearly broke them; going without paychecks, homes on the line, and the humility of starting over. But the heart of this episode is not the sale; it is the story behind it. Daniel opens up about faith, mentorship, and adoption, and how the calling to expand his family changed everything he thought he knew about love, leadership, and capacity.

This conversation explores what happens after the win, how to reframe identity beyond achievement, and why the best leaders make others believe in themselves first. A powerful reflection for entrepreneurs seeking meaning beyond the scoreboard.

00:00 | House fire and adoption: when life interrupts

01:19 | Why Daniel originally said no to this interview

02:35 | The early years of Saela and a 17-year timeline

04:22 | Building for legacy, not for sale

05:33 | Why they sold: timing, mission, and stewardship

07:00 | Choosing the right buyer and honoring employees

09:19 | The emotional cost of stepping away

10:59 | Identity crisis after the exit

13:01 | Casey’s own journey through leaving a company

18:06 | Reframing self-worth and learning to slow down

20:15 | Daniel’s upbringing in Mexico, Guatemala, and Texas

21:17 | Mission to Brazil and meeting Andrew Richardson

22:55 | The power of mentorship and certainty

28:08 | One phone call that changed Daniel’s life forever

32:08 | Leadership through belief: Andrew’s lasting impact

35:12 | Parallel paths: Casey and Daniel’s early career struggles

37:49 | Business as a spiritual game

39:50 | The leadership question that shifts everything

42:21 | Excellence, culture, and disproportionate rewards

43:55 | Bootstrapping: no outside capital, all-in growth

44:46 | Raising four kids while building a business

46:40 | Why they adopted: a spiritual nudge and a leap of faith

50:22 | Meeting the girls — and becoming a family of eight

53:42 | Angie’s selfless act and the reality of adoption

55:13 | The hardest year of their family’s life

56:39 | Beauty through struggle: what people don’t see

57:49 | Casey’s own adoption story and shared lessons

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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Ty Williams, a dynamic leader and an old friend who has significantly influenced his journey. This conversation explores the pivotal moments, career transitions, and the principles that have guided Ty through his impressive career.

From the early days of door-to-door sales to leading successful teams, Ty shares invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of mentoring others. He recounts the challenges of transitioning between industries and companies, emphasizing the role of intuition and the power of making bold moves.

Listeners will find inspiration in Ty’s philosophy of “traveling well,” a concept that encapsulates living authentically, contributing positively to every environment, and continuously growing both personally and professionally. Ty’s stories and reflections offer a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate their career and life with purpose and integrity.

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In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Doug Robinson; entrepreneur, operator, and founder of LGCY Power, for an unfiltered look at what it really means to bet everything on conviction. From a teenage lawn business to leading one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the country, Doug’s story is a masterclass in grit, humility, and relentless alignment.

He opens up about the collapse of Atlas, what it’s like to hold the title but not the control, and how those failures forged his philosophy on leadership and ownership. Doug also unpacks his legal battle with Vivint Solar and Blackstone; the confidence it took to keep showing up when the odds were impossible, and how faith and forgiveness became central to his rebuild.

This conversation is about more than entrepreneurship. It’s about integrity when things fall apart, rebuilding trust, and finding purpose through pressure. A raw, real playbook for any founder determined to endure the valley and come back sharper.

Chapters

00:00 | Old Friends, Shared History

02:16 | Growing Up in Cache Valley

05:22 | Early Leadership Lessons from Sports

08:11 | The Lawn Business That Taught Ownership

11:48 | How to Manage Up, Down & Sideways

16:18 | Embracing Change: From Missions to Management

20:19 | JUCO Dreams & The Last Days at Ricks College

23:04 | Door-to-Door Beginnings with Atlas

25:44 | Production-Based Recruiting: The Sales Secret

28:30 | Why Sports & Missions Built Great Leaders

30:13 | The Atlas Collapse & Shattered Trust

33:29 | Fallout, Finger-Pointing & Feeling Betrayed

37:20 | Picking Sides: Apex vs. Pinnacle

41:20 | Rebuilding with LGCY After a Broken Partnership

44:44 | When Paths Diverge — and Why That’s Okay

46:48 | Leading LGCY: Pride, Pain, and the Lawsuit

50:11 | Pitching Sunrun With Just Conviction

52:15 | Winning Against Blackstone — And No One Cares

53:43 | Why We Hold Grudges Too Long

58:48 | The Call That Started Reconciliation

01:02:49 | The Golf Game That Changed Everything

01:04:15 | How Leadership (and Faith) Changes You

01:05:27 | Solar in Crisis: $15M Lost, Lessons Gained

01:06:56 | How to Survive When the Market Collapses

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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Brad Bonham, a renowned Utah entrepreneur. Brad opens up about his journey from humble beginnings to founding Walker Edison and the trials he faced along the way. He shares insights into his business philosophy, the importance of resilience, and the role faith played in his success.

Brad discusses his significant achievements, such as scaling Walker Edison to a multi-billion dollar business and navigating it through economic challenges. He highlights pivotal moments like securing key partnerships and the innovative strategies that fueled his company’s growth.

Get an intimate look at the man behind one of Utah’s leading businesses as Brad reveals his story of overcoming adversity. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and personal growth.

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In this episode, Casey sits down with Chris Crittenden, entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of Sandbox, for a conversation on courage, innovation, and rethinking what education should be. From selling a startup to Walmart to leading at BYU and now building Sandbox into a movement across multiple universities, Chris shares why closing doors and going deep often leads to the greatest returns.

He and Casey explore the flaws of traditional higher education, the trap of chasing prestige, and the power of learning by doing. Chris outlines how Sandbox is equipping students to launch real companies while reshaping themselves in the process. Their discussion dives into resilience, resourcefulness, and why the greatest opportunities often lie off the beaten path.

This episode is both a critique of the old system and a vision for a new one, where students learn through building, failure is embraced as part of the process, and desire becomes the ultimate differentiator.

What you'll learn

• How traditional higher ed’s incentives produce shallow learning—and how changing the “soil” unlocks genuine growth. 
• The launch of the Sandbox Fellowship: a 12-month, accredited master’s built around one job—build a company. 
• The “neobank for universities” model: partnering with New Mexico Highlands University to innovate on top of accredited infrastructure. 
• Why desire beats pedigree for founders, and how door-to-door grit translates into startup success. 

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome & Chris’s background 

00:16 | Walmart exit, BYU connection & early influences 

06:30 | Resourcefulness as the core Sandbox skill

07:14 | Growing up: farm roots, do-it-yourself mindset

09:51 | BYU → Consulting: chasing “stamps” vs. depth 

10:27 | McKinsey, prestige traps, and closing doors 

16:05 | Leaving Duke’s PhD for a startup

17:19 | Joining an unsexy company → billion-dollar outcome

31:11 | Teaching at BYU: joy vs. the politics of change

32:24 | Running the Rollins Center & building inside BYU 

33:24 | Sandbox thesis: learn by doing, start real companies 

35:58 | Early wins: teams into YC, model effects

41:29 | Scaling beyond BYU: UVU story & lucky plane ride 

43:02 | Six campuses: BYU, UVU, Utah State, Utah Tech, Boise State, Louisville 

43:41 | The “neobank for higher ed” insight 

45:27 | Announcing the Sandbox Fellowship (12-month MS, build a company) 

46:42 | Why for-profit: hire the best, build the best experience 

51:39 | Education as human transformation 

53:36 | Sales, rejection, and D2D grit in startups 

56:56 | Failure isn’t opposite of success—it’s part of it 

59:55 | Fellowship launches today + how to apply 

01:01:32 | Who gets in? One word: desire 

01:03:46 | Scale: cohort sizes, no equity, partner funds 

01:05:20 | Faith, purpose, and building for impact  

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This is a highlight episode featuring the first 30 minutes of our conversation with Kim Clark. To hear the full hour-and-a-half discussion, search for “Kim Clark” on the Case Studies Podcast and listen to the complete episode.

This week we sit down with Kim Clark, former Dean of Harvard Business School and President of BYU-Idaho, who has made remarkable contributions to education and business innovation. From his early influences and pivotal moments to his transformative roles, Kim shares his journey of leadership, values, and the power of education.

Kim discusses his significant initiatives throughout his career, including the introduction of core values such as respect, integrity, and accountability at Harvard Business School, embedding them into the school's culture. As President of BYU-Idaho, he launched the BYU Pathway program, which has brought educational opportunities to students around the world.

Listen as Kim shares his insights on building a culture of continuous improvement, empowering others, and the transformative power of education. Join us for an inspiring conversation that explores the essence of true leadership and the legacy of a life well-lived.

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In this episode, Casey sits down with entrepreneur and investor Matt Mathison to explore how truth, resilience, and purpose define what it really means to thrive. From Wall Street highs to a public collapse, Matt shares how radical transparency, discipline, and faith shaped his comeback and his creation of Allevio, a healthcare platform designed to “empower healing anywhere.”

He unpacks the Thrive Playbook — a practical framework of market tailwinds, operational systems, and maniacal cashflow discipline — showing how great leaders and businesses thrive by aligning people, purpose, and profit. Matt’s story reveals that thriving isn’t about avoiding pain, but transforming it into clarity and action.

For entrepreneurs and high performers, this episode delivers raw lessons on leadership, marriage, and mindset — from rebuilding after loss to creating daily rhythms that keep priorities straight. Through it all, Matt models how truth and love, in business and life, create the foundation for lasting success.

• Learn the three pillars of the Thrive Playbook and how to apply them in your company or personal growth journey.
• Hear the inside story of betting on a billion-dollar Chinese tech company, the short-seller attack that followed, and the courage to tell the truth when everything fell apart.
• See how Allevio scaled from a single idea to a multi-state platform serving patients and providers with purpose and precision.
• Take away relationship and marriage principles that anchor success — from forgiveness and radical communication to shared faith and consistency.

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome & family update

02:07 | Joy in every season: choosing optimism

04:43 | The book that sparked a leadership framework

07:17 | From Wall Street to betting on China

08:23 | Muddy Waters short report & total collapse

13:31 | Redefining “thriving” through loss and truth

19:10 | Removing fear: thriving as forward motion

22:45 | Lessons from failure: transparency and trust

26:46 | Building leaders at every level

29:04 | Hard feedback and preserving relationships

32:10 | The call that sparked Allevio

34:53 | The Thrive Playbook (market, team, cashflow)

37:57 | Mission, vision, and values before scale

41:20 | Cash discipline and operational systems

44:29 | Consistency compounds: the long game

46:53 | Allevio by the numbers

48:36 | Vision: “Empower healing anywhere”

53:26 | Leadership redefined: get better, help others get better

59:05 | Marriage as a partnership through seasons

01:03:00 | Forgive and forget: family wisdom

01:04:26 | Radical communication at home

01:06:52 | Morning runs and connection rituals

01:08:07 | Faith as the cornerstone

01:11:16 | Closing reflections and gratitude

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In this week’s episode, Casey dives into an engaging conversation with Shima Baughman, a distinguished professor and criminal justice advocate. Shima shares her incredible journey from growing up in a war-torn Iran to arriving in the United States, her family’s escape from war and political imprisonment, and how those experiences shaped her passion for criminal justice reform and faith-based initiatives.

Shima opens up about her childhood during the Iranian Revolution and her family’s struggle. She delves into her academic and professional journey, including her impactful work in Africa and her mission to bring faith into the lives of inmates.

Join us as Shima discusses the power of forgiveness, the importance of community, and her vision for a criminal justice system rooted in faith and rehabilitation. This episode is a profound exploration of resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of faith.

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