Founders Club

David Waddell, CEO and Chief Investment Strategist at Waddell and Associates, joins the Founders Club to share how he transformed a family money management practice into a comprehensive wealth service. Known as "The Fog Cutter," David unpacks his journey from Charles Schwab to Babson to eventually taking over his father’s business in Memphis. He discusses why successful entrepreneurs must view failure as "just data," the critical importance of massive operating agreements for partnerships, and why a crisis is often the best time to play offense. Finally, David breaks down the macroeconomic impact of AI and explains why gathering primary information through world travel is essential for making smart business decisions.

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Hannah Kaul, founder of Women in Biz, shares how a local Nashville community expanded across the country before she intentionally brought it back to its roots. Hannah discusses the overwhelming demand among women for in-person connection and the importance of having a safe space to navigate the isolating journey of entrepreneurship. From navigating male-dominated corporate boardrooms to unpacking the hidden costs of rapidly scaling a business, she opens up about stepping back to find balance. Hannah and the hosts explore why women must reject unrealistic societal standards, the vulnerability required to make the "bold ask", and why success doesn't have to equal suffering.

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Former championship-winning basketball coach Micheal Burt shares his transition from the basketball court to building a multi-million dollar business coaching empire. Coach Burt breaks down how to activate your "Prey Drive"—the instinctual human ability to see a goal and pursue it with intensity. He unpacks the five key attributes of the top 1% of performers, the vital difference between confidence and remarkable boldness, and why finding your primary skill matters more than finding your "why". From utilizing the "Whole Person Theory" to overcoming local zoning laws to build his $8 million Greatness Factory, Coach Burt offers a masterclass in grit, resilience, and getting a seat at a bigger table.

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Former Division 1 athlete Darryll Stinson shares how high-achievers can lose their identity to their career and the steps to find their true purpose. From navigating a career-ending back surgery and severe depression to understanding the power of innate gifts, Darryll unpacks the reality of tying self-worth to performance. He explains why taking a "walk to freedom" is more sustainable than waiting for a sudden breakthrough, and why you might just need to watch The Matrix to step out of a life you weren't meant to live. 

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Tiffany Bard, founder of Bump City, shares how she transitioned from a corporate Wall Street career to launching a highly successful maternity boutique in Nashville. From testing her concept out of her home closet and a tiny room below the Bluebird Cafe to navigating long-term commercial leases, Tiffany breaks down the realities of bootstrapping an in-person retail business. She unpacks the importance of proving your product market fit early on, ignoring the naysayers who aren't your target audience, and why building an intimate, empathy-driven community drives organic growth far better than traditional digital marketing.

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Aleksandra Chojnacka, founder of Detox House, shares how entrepreneurs can use nervous system regulation to build resilience and show up authentically in life and business. From navigating the pivot away from signing a commercial lease and running a referral-based in-home studio to launching a digital app and signature eight-week guided program , Aleksandra unpacks the realities of the wellness market. She discusses the polyvagal theory behind cold plunges, breathwork, and saunas, and how mastering your body's response to stress can directly impact your entrepreneurial success. Finally, she explores why trusting your inner voice matters more than market cues, and why the future of the wellness industry is rooted in modernizing ancient practices.

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Joshua Johnston joins the show to share how founders can scale a service-based business or agency without losing their minds. From his early days making $3,000 a month as a fitness trainer to becoming an agency CEO and building a successful consulting business, Josh unpacks the realities of running a profitable operation where top-line revenue isn't the only thing that matters. He reveals why client churn, not lead generation, is the actual reason most service businesses fail, how to successfully transition from a freelancer to an agency model, and the critical importance of holding a cash safety net. Alongside the hosts, Josh also explores how AI is forcing a shift toward outcome-based pricing and why returning to "old school" marketing tactics, like shipping physical video brochures, can help your agency stand out in a crowded market.

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Personal transformation facilitator Joy Shaw joins the show to share her incredible path from surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm to helping others navigate their own deep healing. Joy breaks down the archetypal stages of the "hero's journey" and explains why self-love is essential for moving past chronic people-pleasing. She candidly discusses the critical importance of setting firm boundaries with clients to prevent burnout and protect your energy as an entrepreneur. Finally, Joy opens up about her approach to utilizing psychedelics and plant medicine, exploring how these tools can be used for both trauma recovery and profound human optimization.

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Lauren Reed, founding partner of REED PR, shares how she went from an "accidental entrepreneur" leaving a sinking agency to building one of Nashville's most respected firms. Lauren opens up about rejecting hustle culture, the terrifying but rewarding process of taking a 90-day sabbatical, and why she prioritizes her life outside of work to be a better leader. She also discusses her newest venture, Wealth of a Woman, which aims to heal women's anxiety around money and empower them to build true financial confidence.

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Traci Barrett, founding executive behind HGTV and author of “What If There’s More?”, joins us to discuss the journey of launching a billion-dollar media brand and the pivot that followed. From the scrappy startup days of cable television to navigating a "loss of self" in her 40s, Traci unpacks the concept of "Healthy Ambition" and why so many high-achievers feel disengaged. She shares her three-part framework for finding purpose, the importance of trusting your gut as a leader, and why refusing to adapt to AI is a bigger threat than the technology itself.

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