Concrete Ways is a conversation about building things that matter — businesses, families, and lives with purpose at the foundation. Host Dr. Wegmann sits down with entrepreneurs, leaders, and builders who've learned that real growth isn't about maximizing the bottom line, it's about creating something that serves others.

In this episode, Jacob Manthei — a third-generation leader, and one of five presidents in his family's business group is president of Aster Brands — shares how he's helped grow a company built on the idea that profit is oxygen, not the point. Concrete lessons, honest stories, and practical wisdom for anyone trying to build a life and business worth having.

What happens when all the ingredients are right?

What happens when wisdom, knowledge, and a love story come together?

You get Elder Piper Brewery, ranked the #3 Best New Brewery by USA Today. Elder Piper has captured massive critical attention. [They are celebrating their 2 year anniversary this June!]

Trace and Eeva Redmond didn't stumble into brewing. They earned it. Over a decade working for some of the biggest names in craft beer — Founders Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Highland Brewing — they were quietly learning, refining, and dreaming. Trace developed over 400 recipes. Eeva became a Certified Cicerone (equivalent to a Sommelier with wine), an international beer judge, and the creative mind behind one of the best new breweries. 

Come here their amazing story.

https://elderpiperbeer.com/ 

What happens when an investigative journalist sets out to disprove Christianity — and the evidence won't let him? In this episode of the Purpose Maker Wisdom & Leadership Podcast, Dr. Wegmann sits down with two of the most respected and influential voices in Christian apologetics: Lee Strobel, the former atheist and journalist behind The Case for Christ, and Mark Mittelberg, evangelist, author, and Lee's longtime collaborator.

Together we go past the talking points. We explore where evidence ends and faith begins, the hardest objections they still wrestle with, and how defending the faith has changed in a culture that's grown skeptical of truth itself. Lee and Mark also open up about what they've learned from each other across decades of friendship and ministry — the kind of deep reverence for each other you don’t hear on every podcast.

Whether you're a skeptic, a seeker, or a seasoned believer, this conversation will challenge the way you think about faith, evidence, and the kind of leader you're becoming. Because at Purpose Maker, we believe identity always precedes impact — and nothing shapes identity more profoundly than what you believe to be true about God, the world, and yourself. This isn't just an apologetics episode. It's a masterclass in intellectual courage, deep friendship, and the lifelong pursuit of wisdom that leads not just to better answers, but to a better you. 

Listen, share and step into a faith with deeper roots.

Show links:

Apologetics Inc. www.apologetics.org

Lee’s latest book: https://a.co/d/04l68y1F

Mark’s latest book: https://a.co/d/05DSALU1

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Today's guest didn't set out to build a business. He set out to build a paddle board for his daughter — a little girl who wanted to feel the water beneath her feet, and wanted it to be real.

Made from the earth. Made with intention. What happened next is a masterclass in what we talk about in this show — how Transitions, Identity, and Purpose converge at exactly the right moment to create something extraordinary. Jason Thelen is a master carpenter, an artist, and the founder of Little Bay Boards — a one-of-a-kind handcrafted paddle board company rooted right here in Petoskey, Michigan, on the shores of Little Traverse Bay.

He builds hollow wooden paddle boards from sustainably forested lumber, and every single one is a work of art. But more than that — every board carries a story. Jason's story is one of the L.I.F.E. Flywheel in motion. A man who found his purpose not by searching for it, but by showing up fully for the people he loves — and letting that meaning pour into everything he creates. You're going to hear about craft, calling, and what it means to build something that matters.

You can find Jason here: https://littlebayboards.com/

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Mary Grace McCaskill, Executive Director of Ann's Nest, joins the Purpose Maker podcast to share how true leadership is built on influence, adding value to others, and developing people to reach their full potential. With more than 20 years leading nonprofit teams and raising millions to support children's hospitals, healthcare, and community initiatives, Mary Grace embodies the principle that leadership isn't about position—it's about positively influencing those around you to create lasting impact.

At Ann's Nest, she is guiding the realization of a powerful vision: building dignified, inclusive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Northern Michigan's Emmet and Charlevoix counties. This episode explores how intentional leadership—rooted in serving others, building trust, and empowering teams—addresses a deep family concern: ensuring loved ones with IDD have supportive, person-centered futures long after parents are gone. Hear insights on growing influence through daily growth, prioritizing people over programs, and leading communities toward greater purpose and inclusion.

A must-listen for leaders, advocates, and anyone committed to making a difference by lifting others higher. Find Mary Grace

https://www.annsnest.org/

www.thinkanddogood.co

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 #PurposeMaker #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #LifePurpose #MidLifeWisdom #FaithAndBusiness #LegacyBuilding #LeadershipCoaching #IntentionalLiving #BusinessConsulting #SpiritualGrowth #MindsetMatters #HighPerformance #ProfessionalDevelopment #ImpactDriven #WisdomShared #ServantLeadership #TransformationalCoaching #GoalSetting #SuccessMindset

In this captivating episode of the Purpose Maker Podcast, host Dr. Wegmann sits down with award-winning author and fellow northern Michigan resident Chad V. Broughman. Chad's debut novel The Fall of Bellwether; won Historical Fiction Book of the Year!

We explore the power of storytelling in uncovering life's deeper meanings, drawing from Chad's experiences as an educator, writer, and family man. Chad shares insights into his creative process, the themes of compassion and unity in his work, and how his background in teaching English and Creative Writing influences his narratives. We dive into his debut novel, The Fall of Bellwether, a historical epic that spans time, race, and religion, hailed as a "powerful depiction of humanity’s compassion and pursuit of unity."

Whether you're a lifelong learner, book enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration for your own purpose, this conversation is packed with wisdom for the head, heart, and soul.

Connect with Chad:

Website: https://chadvbroughman.com

Buy The Fall of Bellwether: https://a.co/d/08VBmjff

In this powerful episode of the Purpose Maker Podcast, host Dr. Wegmann sits down with LT Kegan "Smurf" Gill, USN (Ret.) — a former F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot who survived the fastest ejection in Naval Aviation history at a blistering 695 mph, nearly breaking the sound barrier. 

What should have ended his life (and career) instead became the beginning of an extraordinary comeback. After catastrophic injuries, over a dozen surgeries, battles with prescription drug addiction, undiagnosed brain trauma, and the depths of physical and mental despair, Keegan clawed his way back — not just to walk again, but to return to the cockpit and fly Super Hornets once more. This isn't just a survival story — it's a raw, unfiltered masterclass in rediscovering purpose after everything is stripped away. 

Keegan opens up about: 

If you've ever felt stuck, broken, or wondered whether it's truly possible to rise from your own wreckage stronger than before — this conversation will light a fire in you. 

Prepare to be moved, challenged, and deeply inspired by one man's relentless proof that the impossible is just a starting point. Tune in now — because sometimes the greatest purpose emerges from the ashes. 

Find his book here: https://a.co/d/1t1QiAC 

Connect with Lt. Kegan "Smurf" Gill here: https://kegangill.com/ 

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#purposemaker #drwegmann #kegangill #phoenixrevival 

Join host Dr. Wegmann (Coach MJ) for an enlightening conversation with Brian Wagner, a trailblazing entrepreneur and packaging industry icon with over 40 years of experience. In this episode of "Unpacking Identity and Purpose," Brian shares his journey from co-founding PTIS to leadership roles at powerhouse companies like Sara Lee, Kellogg's, and Burger King.

Inducted into the Michigan State University School of Packaging Hall of Fame and recipient of the prestigious Riester-Davis-Brody Lifetime Achievement Award, Brian dives deep into how discovering one's core identity fuels purposeful innovation and lasting impact. Explore the intersection of personal purpose and professional success as Brian unpacks strategies for building resilient brands, fostering sustainable practices, and creating value that transcends industries.

Drawing from his contributions to publications like "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology" and "Creating Value Through Packaging," this discussion offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking to align their identity with meaningful goals.

Tune in to rediscover your own purpose and learn how to turn it into a powerful force for change.

Connect with Brian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-wagner-a98395/

PTIS Global, LLC: https://ptisglobal.com/

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 #purposemaker #drwegmann

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jonathan Lee, founder of Jonathan Lee Architects and one of the Midwest’s leading classical architects.

Raised as a missionary kid in the Congo, Jonathan earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, with advanced studies at the Technical University of Vienna. He refined his craft in the New York offices of Charles Warren and Ferguson & Shamamian Architects before serving as Chair of Design for the University of Notre Dame’s Rome Studies Program.

Since establishing his firm in 1999, Jonathan has designed distinguished classical residences along Michigan’s Gold Coast, in Northern Michigan, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Palm Beach, Greenwich, and beyond. His work has been featured in The Classicist, Period Homes, and the Institute of Classical Architecture’s “A Decade of Art & Architecture.”

In this episode, Jonathan discusses how early cross-cultural experiences shaped his design philosophy, the enduring relevance of classical proportion and craft, and the quiet power of homes that nurture clarity, calm, and continuity across generations. A thoughtful exploration of architecture, purpose, and the art of building places that help us live well.

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ernie Wood, a Detroit-born sailor, veteran, author, and lifelong public servant who has lived a life of service in the truest sense.

Raised in the Motor City, Ernie left home at just 17 to join the U.S. Navy, where he would go on to serve 20 proud years before retiring. Twelve of those years were spent aboard three different destroyer ships, standing watch and keeping the seas safe during a pivotal era of American naval history. But Ernie’s service didn’t stop at sea. After his time on the water, he took on two deeply meaningful shore duties: working as an addiction counselor helping fellow sailors find their way back, and later serving as a Navy police officer, protecting the bases and the people who call them home.

Out of his own experiences and hard-won wisdom, Ernie penned the powerful book 12 Steps to Happiness – a heartfelt guide to finding joy and purpose no matter what life throws at you. Today, you’ll find Ernie keeping America’s skies safe as a radar technician with the Federal Aviation Administration, living among the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina – though he’s already counting the days until he returns home to Michigan in retirement.

In this episode, Ernie shares stories from the destroyer mess decks, lessons learned counseling those in need, what true happiness really looks like after two decades in uniform, and why – no matter how far he’s traveled – Michigan will always be home. If you love stories of resilience, service, second careers, and finding happiness on your own terms, you don’t want to miss this one.

Purpose Maker Show Links 

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Purpose Maker Podcast Playlist: Purpose Maker - YouTube

#purposemaker #drwegmann