From There to Here

Dave Behar's path runs from scrappy college ventures—selling party favors to fraternities and sororities and building a beach volleyball apparel brand—to leading Ion Network, a hyper-local media platform delivering positive, family-focused content to thousands of communities.

In this episode, we talk about what he learned from starting and selling businesses, why he believes clean, values-driven ecosystems are the future of media, and how creators can still stand out in an AI-fueled, noisy world without compromising who they are.

About the Guest:
Dave Behar is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Executive Athlete of ION Network and Behar Brands, where he creates innovative brands in tech, media, sports, health, and food & beverage. Committed to personal branding and collaboration, he develops digital platforms that foster positive interactions and transactions. With a successful track record of building and exiting multiple companies, co-authoring two Amazon Best Sellers, and serving on the Journalism & Media Studies Advisory Board at San Diego State University, Dave focuses on legacy and knowledge transfer to help others thrive. A "thought leader of thought leaders," he inspires through insights rather than self-promotion and enjoys sports and culinary adventures in his free time.

Learn more about Dave at:

• Website: https://ions.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebehar/

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

I’m joined by Miles Faust, the owner and CEO of Wee Ones out of St. Louis, Missouri. Miles went from a blue-collar upbringing outside New Orleans to leading major sales and marketing teams for household-name brands, and then made the leap into owning a small, family-run manufacturer. We talk about shaping a work ethic, what it really takes to shift from corporate resources to a lean team, how he turned a designer-led culture into a customer-focused business, and why peripheral vision and resilience have been foundational in his journey.

About the Guest:

Miles Faust is an entrepreneur and business leader whose career bridges global corporate leadership and family business ownership. This unique combination of experience has shaped a leadership style that balances strategic vision with practical execution.

After building a successful career leading growth initiatives across international markets and consumer product categories, Miles transitioned into entrepreneurship and has spent the past 16 years as the owner and president of Wee Ones LLC. In that role, he has led the company's strategic direction while remaining deeply involved in product development, brand licensing, sales leadership, and day-to-day operations.

Known for turning strategy into results, Miles excels at aligning people, processes, and culture to drive sustainable, profitable growth. He combines creative thinking with financial discipline and operational excellence, helping organizations strengthen their brands, capitalize on new opportunities, and compete successfully in evolving consumer markets.

To learn more:

• Website: https://weeones.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesfaust/

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

This episode is longer than usual, and that’s intentional. Aaron Asay's story is complex, heavy, and deeply human—from a preventable death in Venezuela to firefighting, child rescue, and disaster response in war zones. If you choose to stay with this conversation, you’re committing to some difficult subject matter—but also to a powerful look at service, sacrifice, and what it really costs to run toward suffering instead of away from it.
Along the way, Aaron shares what it costs to live this kind of life, what it does to families and mental health, and why he still believes in local communities, small acts of courage, and sustainable, on-the-ground solutions over big promises and slogans.

About the Guest:

Aaron Asay is the Executive Director of Jase Response. He is a Physician Assistant and disaster medicine specialist with over 25 years of frontline experience in emergency rescue, austere medicine, and humanitarian response. Involved in numerous high-profile disaster operations and international anti-trafficking missions, Aaron has led medical teams in some of the world’s most challenging environments. A former firefighter & paramedic, technical rescue expert, and an officer on a military disaster rescue team, he brings unmatched field expertise to Jase Response’s mission.

Aaron has served as chief medical officer and program director for several nonprofit initiatives focused on disaster response and human trafficking recovery, earning recognition from the governments of Mexico and Colombia. He holds a doctorate in Global Health and continues to teach the next generation of responders at his local university.

Learn more about Aaron :

• Website: https://jaseresponse.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronasaypa

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

If you think this episode is just about furniture, you’re wrong. It’s about psychology, memory, connection, and that one atrocious chair your mom kept for 30 years.

I’m joined again by Suzanne Woodard, who went from arguing cases as an attorney to curating stories as the owner of a consignment store, auction house, gallery, and estate advisory service.

We talk about “stuff”- exploring our connection to belongings, the spectrum of value, pro-active estate planning considerations, and how asking simple questions about objects can unlock profound stories never heard.

About the Guest:

Suzanne Woodard is the founder and owner of The Refind Room, a luxury consignment furniture store and personal property management provider. The Refind Room offers a comprehensive range of services for luxury estates, including appraisals, consignments, estate sales, auctions, staging, project management and design consultations to facilitate efficient and smooth life transitions, while optimizing the full value of a client's personal estate property.

Formerly, Suzanne was the Vice President of Litigation and attorney for a national retailer, with extensive experience in project management, business operations, merchandising, research, marketing and retail operations.

Find out more about Suzanne:

• Website: https://therefindroom.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-woodard-401b123b

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

Former guest and electric energy expert Peter Kelly-Detwiler provides a deeper understanding of electricity and the reasons it has unprecedented importance in our lives now.

About the Guest

Peter Kelly-Detwiler has over 35 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. Currently, Mr. Kelly-Detwiler is a leading consultant, researcher, speaker, and trainer in the electric industry. He provides strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution and complexities of the electric power grid.  Mr. Kelly-Detwiler also offers numerous keynotes and trainings, with workshops addressing a wide range of topics related to energy, technology, and policy. His book on the transformation of electric power markets- “The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers Are Transforming the Electrical Grid and the Future of Power” - was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021.

Links referenced in episode -

• Canary Media: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/newsletter-sign-up
• Utility Dive: https://www.utilitydive.com/signup/

To learn more, visit:
linkedin.com/in/jason-Shupp-18b4619b

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

Kevin Guttman is a mortgage broker who’s built a career at the intersection of real estate, ministry, and social impact. In this conversation, we explore how Kevin’s early exposure to business and service shaped his worldview, why real estate is one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth, hiring field specific experts, and we dive deeper into how reverse mortgages—often misunderstood—can be life-changing when used responsibly.

About the Guest

Kevin Guttman is a Sr. Mortgage Broker, reverse mortgage specialist, and 3x Amazon best-selling author with over 20 years of experience in home financing. As one of only 218 Certified Reverse Mortgage Professionals nationwide, he’s known for his integrity, transparency, and people-first approach. With 100+ five-star reviews and an A+ BBB rating, Kevin simplifies the loan process for senior homeowners, offering expert insights and real-life stories. A lifelong learner with three master’s degrees, he’s also a devoted LA Lakers fan, world traveler, and passionate community volunteer.

Learn more about Kevin at:

• Reverse Mortgage Revolution Website: https://reversemortgagerevolution.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinguttman

To learn more, visit:
linkedin.com/in/jason-Shupp-18b4619b

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

Rodney Mueller is an advisor, mentor, and entrepreneur. In this episode, he talks about not relying on others, father figures, holding standards of excellence, needing a purpose, working on yourself, and focusing on the experience.

About the Guest

Rodney Mueller is an entrepreneur, advisor and mentor that has reinvented the antiquated way of setting and achieving goals. His mentorship and advisory of startup and mid-size CEOs has led to exponential growth through his Perfect Aim Method™. He teaches leaders how to grow into exceptional human beings, grow their companies at record rates, create a culture of visionary employees, and obtain deep fulfillment and meaning in their lives.

A former drill sergeant, Rodney has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for the last 22 years, and became one of the youngest to attain E-6 Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to the world’s first joint biological point detection unit (the only one of its kind in the world), and has most recently served at U.S. Africa and U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

In 2017, Rodney kicked off the Absent Father Podcast, after being featured on Oprah’s Life Class (2013), about fatherless sons and having a desire to help others overcome the impact of growing up with an absent father. Rodney believes in and derives the most meaning in his life from being a father and husband. He considers St. Louis home, and loves traveling with his wife, daughter and two dogs in their vintage Airstream.

Connect with Rodney at:

• Website: https://rodneymueller.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneymueller/

To learn more, visit:
linkedin.com/in/jason-Shupp-18b4619b

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

In a world where most owners are still the bottleneck in their own businesses, my guest today has a passion to change that. Atiba de Souza is an entrepreneur and author. In this episode, he talks about the lessons from not belonging, galvanizing the leaders, teaching how to think, challenging broken systems, and connecting with your community.

About the Guest:

Atiba de Souza is an author, entrepreneur, and relationship mentor who helps leaders break free from burnout and build teams that take ownership. He wrote The Delegation Trap: It’s Not Them, It’s You, a story-driven guide teaching leaders how to let go of every task and get results that shine. With 25+ years running gyms, bakeries, and food service companies and coaching National Championship youth football teams, he knows firsthand what it takes to turn average performance into excellence. His mission is simple: transform overwhelmed bosses into confident leaders of teams that thrive, even when they’re not in the room.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

• Website: https://thedelegationtrap.com/
• LinkedIn: meetatiba.com

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

In this episode, Malcolm Reid Sr. shares an extraordinary journey from the slums of Baltimore, through prison and business collapse, to building seven-figure businesses that serve people. He talks about not being the victim, learning empathy, knowing what you don’t know, redefining priorities, and business as a reflection of you. Today, Malcolm helps small business owners and coaches grow by growing themselves first—prioritizing character, family, and alignment over quick cash. If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you, this conversation will challenge that story.

About the Guest:
For more than 11 years, Malcolm Reid Sr. has helped over 1,000 coaches worldwide build profitable, values-driven practices through his company, ProGlobal Business Advisors, using a proven business-in-a-box model. His work emphasizes execution over theory, equipping coaches with positioning, systems, enrollment processes, delivery frameworks, software, and long-term operational support, all branded to the individual coach. Guided by a deep respect for small business owners, Malcolm is known for his stance against hype-driven coaching and fake gurus, advocating instead for integrity, measurable results, and lasting client impact. He and his team work exclusively with coaches who demonstrate strong values and a genuine desire to serve, helping them operate as true business owners and deliver real results for the businesses they support.

Website: https://proglobalba.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/proglobalexpert/ (16k)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proglobalba/

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/

Chris Parker is an entrepreneur, podcaster, and author in the tech industry. In this episode, Chris talks about how a quick fix led to an enduring business, the idea of a solution, side hustles vs. scale, your values in the business, and exit timing.

About the Guest
Chris Parker is the founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, one of the world’s most visited websites, helping more than 13 million people each month safeguard their digital privacy. Chris has become the go-to expert on protecting yourself in the digital age, whether from scammers, data miners, or privacy threats you didn't know existed. He is the author of Privacy Crisis: How to Maintain Your Privacy Without Becoming a Hermit, and host of The Easy Prey Podcast.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website: https://www.privacycrisis.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergparker/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisgeorgeparker/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispcritters/

To learn more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shupp-18b4619b/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/Jason-Shupp/