On The Same Team

How does an everyday parent go from frustrated scroller to Iowa State Senator in just a few years? Catelin Drey, State Senator for Iowa's District 1, shares how showing up in her community led her to public office, and why local involvement matters more than most people realize.

On this episode of On the Same Team, Catelin talks about making Sioux City her hometown after moving six times growing up, her path from Morningside University to teaching in Honduras, social work, photography, nonprofit work with the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, and digital marketing. She explains how frustration with policy led her to start Moms for Iowa, a social media account that helps parents stay informed and engaged, and how that work led her to run in a 2025 special election with just 47 days to campaign.

We also dig into the real mechanics of running for office, why local races like school board and city council deserve more attention, what it really costs to serve in the Iowa Legislature, and why she believes honesty and accessibility make a good public servant.

In this episode:

- How everyday citizens can get involved in local advocacy

- How a special election and nominating convention work

- Why local offices matter as much as national ones

- Building trust through honesty, accessibility, and accountability

- Legislator pay, campaign finance, and who's missing from the table

- Leading by bringing people along with you

CHAPTERS

00:00 Making Sioux City her hometown

16:32 From social work and photography to starting Moms for Iowa

23:06 How everyday citizens get involved and run for office

33:25 Why local races matter more than you think

50:07 The real cost of serving: legislator pay and campaign finance

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder

CONNECT WITH CATELIN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catelindrey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catelin_drey/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catelin_drey

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dreyforiowa

Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams.

#Iowa #CivicEngagement #OnTheSameTeam

What do Tesla's early days, cold calling, and billboards have in common? Sean Fessler, Vice President and General Manager at Lamar Advertising in Sioux City, shares the lessons that took him from pushing carts at Costco to leading a market for the largest billboard company in North America.

On this episode of On the Same Team, Sean talks about working 40 hours a week while earning his degree at Rockhurst University, starting in freight logistics, and joining Tesla during the Model S boom, including what made that culture so intense and why he eventually stepped away. He explains how he found his way to Lamar, climbed from account executive in North Carolina to sales manager in Montana to VP/GM in Iowa, and what cold calling taught him about resilience.

We also discuss how Lamar enters a new market as a community partner, donating billboard space to local nonprofits, and how private equity and acquisitions are reshaping the outdoor advertising industry.

In this episode:

- Time management lessons from working full time in college

- Inside Tesla's early culture: camaraderie, belief, and burnout

- Why cold calling builds better salespeople

- The power of referrals and word-of-mouth marketing

- How a national brand becomes a local community partner

- Gratitude as a daily habit for success

CHAPTERS

00:00 Working full time through college

10:53 Inside Tesla's early culture, and the burnout

21:06 Why cold calling builds better salespeople

31:52 How Lamar becomes part of a new community

47:18 Sean's success habit: practicing gratitude

RESOURCES MENTIONED

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

CONNECT WITH SEAN

Lamar Advertising Sioux City: lamar.com/siouxcity

Find Sean on LinkedIn

Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams.

#SalesLeadership #Leadership #OnTheSameTeam

How do you turn a local meetup into a 400-member real estate investing community with 50 sponsors, during a pandemic? Ted Kaasch, broker, investor, and owner of the Omaha Real Estate Investors Association (Omaha REIA), shares how networking built his entire career.

On this episode of On the Same Team, Ted traces his path from selling Kirby vacuums at 12 to top car salesman through radical honesty, running a four-state territory for Thrasher, and eventually becoming a real estate broker and investor. He explains how he bought Omaha REIA in 2020, went all in on free, public content, and grew membership from roughly 70 to more than 400.

We also get into flipping condemned properties, midterm rentals in the Midwest, reviving a car wash, creative laundromat income streams, and what he's learned growing the Kash & Dash podcast, including landing Brandon Turner and Pace Morby as guests.

In this episode:

- Buying and scaling a real estate investors association through COVID

- Why honesty and clear expectations close more sales

- Midterm rentals, Furnished Finder, and using guest feedback to improve your Airbnb

- Turning condemned properties into profitable rentals

- Podcast growth: big guests, cross-promotion, YouTube Shorts, and staying national

- Why the best leaders build teams around their ideas

CHAPTERS

00:00 Buying Omaha REIA as the pandemic hit and growing to 400+ members

08:47 Sales lessons: radical honesty and clear expectations

20:22 Condemned properties, midterm rentals, and a car wash

37:27 Building the Kash & Dash podcast

56:24 Stay in your lane, or build a team around it?

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

The One Thing by Gary Keller

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Who Not How by Dan Sullivan

Profitable Podcasting

The Richest Man in Babylon

CONNECT WITH TED

Website: tedkaasch.com

Instagram: @kaaschmoney

Facebook: Omaha REIA

Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams.

#RealEstateInvesting #Networking #OnTheSameTeam

The conversation covers JT Grover's journey from a U.S. Army sniper and firefighter to becoming an entrepreneur in the firearm instruction industry. It explores the challenges and successes of building a passion-driven business and adapting to market changes. The conversation delves into the evolution of business, the challenges of growth, the stress of business ownership, the mission of Contact Front, and the power of a positive attitude in fueling success.

Takeaways

• Passion-Driven Business
• Adapting to Market Changes Business Evolution
• Positive Attitude

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 00:54 JT Grover's Background and Career
• 04:42 Transition to Entrepreneurship
• 26:05 Business Expansion and Adaptation
• 33:06 The Evolution of Business
• 34:03 The Challenges of Growth
• 35:53 The Stress of Business Ownership
• 47:14 Contact Front: A Mission of Support
• 58:48 The Power of a Positive Attitude

The conversation covers Sarah's journey from college to her career in broadcasting, including her time at Mizzou and the influence of the university on her career. It also explores her transition to Camp High Hopes, her role in fundraising and marketing, and the programs offered by the camp. Additionally, it delves into the outreach and referrals for the camp's services. The conversation covers various aspects of Camp High Hopes, including its programs, return rates, capacity, funding challenges, staffing, transition to the executive director role, fundraising events, personal habits, and an ideal day with no responsibilities. Sarah Morgan shares insights into the organization's operations, challenges, and personal experiences, providing a comprehensive view of Camp High Hopes and her role as the executive director.

Takeaways

• Transition from college to career
• Influence of Mizzou on career
• Challenges and rewards of fundraising and marketing
• Unique programs and outreach at Camp High Hopes Camp High Hopes serves a diverse range of campers through various programs and partnerships.
• Funding and staffing are significant challenges for Camp High Hopes, requiring creative solutions and community support.

Chapters

• 00:00 From College to Career
• 01:53 The Transition to Mizzou
• 02:52 The Influence of Mizzou
• 03:42 Starting a Career in Broadcasting
• 07:30 Moving to Omaha
• 08:30 Differences in TV Markets
• 10:18 Ownership and Industry Changes
• 14:43 Transition to Camp High Hopes
• 19:01 Fundraising and Marketing
• 24:33 Camp High Hopes Programs
• 28:04 Outreach and Referrals
• 29:09 Camp High Hopes Programs and Return Rates
• 30:41 Capacity and Camper Ratios
• 33:12 Funding Challenges and Campership Costs
• 36:21 Staffing and Caregiver Requirements
• 38:09 Transition to Executive Director Role
• 44:08 Fundraising Events and Community Engagement
• 48:01 Reading and Personal Habits
• 51:46 Ideal Day with No Responsibilities

Bo Bronger shares his journey from engineering to becoming a successful commercial real estate broker, emphasizing the rigorous process of obtaining the CCIM designation and the analytical approach to commercial property investment. Jacob Stevenson explores the transition from construction to real estate, early influences, and the challenges of starting out in real estate during a market crash. The conversation covers the importance of networking, building trust, and patience in business, as well as the role of mentorship and community involvement. It also delves into the qualities needed for success in real estate, personal interests, and habits for success.

Takeaways

• Rigorous process of obtaining the CCIM designation
• Transitioning from construction to real estate
• Learning and growth in real estate Networking and mentorship are crucial for business success
• Patience, trust, and continuous learning are essential in business
• Community involvement and nonprofit work contribute to personal and professional growth

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to CCIM Designation
• 05:19 Specialization and 1031 Transactions
• 11:48 Early Influences and Entry into Real Estate
• 18:18 Transition from Economics to Real Estate
• 23:56 The Importance of Networking and Market Development
• 30:47 Community Involvement and Nonprofit Work
• 40:15 Advice for Those Considering a Career in Real Estate
• 45:48 Personal Interests and Inspirational Reading

April Mahr shares her journey from an unexpected start in the mortgage industry to becoming a successful mortgage lender. She emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and relationship building in the industry, highlighting the challenges and growth opportunities she experienced. Jacob Stevenson explores the impact of sales, confidence, and customer service in the mortgage industry, as well as the value of adapting to industry changes and building trust with real estate agents. The conversation covers topics such as building trust and reputation, networking and relationship cultivation, evolution of role and leadership, mortgage operations and services, motivational book recommendations, personal motivation and energy, effective communication and follow-up, handling rejection and feedback, leisure and personal interests, connecting with the guest, and closing remarks and gratitude. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consistency, relationship building, and personal motivation in the mortgage industry.

Takeaways

• Trust and transparency are crucial in the mortgage industry
• Sales and confidence play a significant role in customer relationships
• Adapting to industry changes and building trust with real estate agents are key to success Consistency and trust are key in building a strong reputation.
• Effective communication and follow-up are essential for success in the mortgage industry.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to April Mahr
• 05:08 Building Trust and Confidence
• 10:42 Customer Service and Relationship Building
• 16:24 Adapting to Industry Changes
• 21:24 Building Trust with Real Estate Agents
• 26:34 Networking and Relationship Cultivation
• 31:39 Motivational Book Recommendations
• 37:05 Leisure and Personal Interests

In this episode of On the Same Team, Jacob Stevenson sits down with leadership speaker, entrepreneur, and community builder Stacie Anderson to explore what it truly means to invest in personal growth.

Stacie shares her journey from a successful career in the jewellery industry to becoming a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, publisher of Expand Magazine, and founder of leadership events that inspire others to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

Together, they discuss the value of being fully present, why personal development requires more than simply consuming information, and how slowing down can lead to deeper learning and lasting transformation. Stacie also opens up about taking risks, trusting her instincts, overcoming self-doubt, and creating opportunities for growth within her community.

Whether you're a business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to become the best version of yourself, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and powerful reminders about the importance of continuous learning, intentional living, and showing up fully in every moment.

🎙️ Topics include:
• Personal growth and leadership development
• The John Maxwell philosophy
• Why presence matters more than productivity
• Investing in yourself and your future
• Building a culture of learning and growth
• Taking risks and embracing new opportunities
• The power of consistency and intentional action

Listen now and discover why growth begins the moment you decide you're worth the investment.

The conversation delves into the significance of the CCIM designation, the process of becoming a commercial real estate expert, analyzing commercial real estate opportunities, diversifying real estate portfolios, navigating the challenges of commercial real estate, and starting a career in commercial real estate. Key takeaways include the importance of the CCIM designation, the intricacies of commercial real estate investment, the value of networking and market knowledge, and the need for adaptability and perseverance in the industry. The conversation delves into the importance of trust and patience in real estate, the impact of community involvement and nonprofit work, the role of mentorship in career development, and personal interests and habits for success.

Takeaways

• CCIM designation
• Commercial real estate investment
• Networking and market knowledge
• Adaptability and perseverance Patience and trust are essential in building a successful career in real estate.
• Community involvement and nonprofit work play a significant role in personal and professional development.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding the CCIM Designation
• 06:31 Diversifying Real Estate Portfolios
• 18:10 Starting a Career in Commercial Real Estate
• 24:41 Building Trust and Patience
• 30:47 Community Involvement and Nonprofit Work
• 40:15 Mentorship and Career Development
• 47:00 Personal Interests and Habits for Success

The conversation delves into the transition from college wrestling to the real world, exploring the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. It covers the journey of a former college wrestler as he navigates the complexities of transitioning from the structured world of college wrestling to the uncertainties of the real world. The discussion also highlights the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship and the diverse opportunities it presents. The conversation covers the birth and evolution of the Strength Training podcast, the business aspects, the decision to create a vision, lessons from wrestling, an ideal free day, and where to find Ryan Deakin and the Iron Summit podcast. Takeaways include the use of podcasting as a networking tool and the power of visualization.

Takeaways

• Transition from college wrestling to the real world
• The challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship Podcasting as a Networking Tool
• The Power of Visualization

Chapters

• 00:00 Transition from College Wrestling to the Real World
• 33:15 The Birth of the Podcast
• 47:13 Creating a Vision
• 53:27 Lessons from Wrestling
• 01:01:24 Where to Find Ryan Deakin