In this powerful episode of the Rhymes With Odd Podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Alex Severn, a former federal budget analyst, political insider, and Simpson College alum. Alex opens up about his unique career path—from dressing up at college homecoming skits to managing $100 million+ in federal budgets, working with the Department of Transportation, and even interviewing Donald Trump in front of a live audience.

If you're curious about public service, federal government operations, data-driven decision-making, and how political grit is formed, this interview is full of value, real-world insight, and a touch of humor.

⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
(Use these to navigate the episode quickly!)

00:00 – From Iowa to D.C.: Moving with just 2 boxes
01:14 – College stories & how Ryan and Alex met
02:47 – Who is Alex Severn? Becoming a "wastage warrior"
05:20 – Why data tracking is the next big frontier
07:52 – The power of metrics in sales & business
10:22 – Cold calling, quotas, and sales KPIs
12:54 – Entrepreneurship is not a get-rich scheme
15:55 – Why marketing feels like a black box
18:10 – Interest rates, financial discipline & lessons from parents
21:15 – Parents’ midlife career shifts and what it taught Alex
24:23 – Business mistakes, stress, and painful growth
27:14 – Football, cold weather, and developing mental toughness
32:39 – Friends dropping out vs. sticking with it
35:41 – Sitting in on college board meetings as a student
38:34 – Waking up on Capitol Hill – and how the Senate feels
41:15 – Live on stage with Donald Trump: “You’re Fired!” moment
43:48 – Why Alex moved to D.C. & life in Crystal City
49:36 – City chaos & learning to navigate Washington
55:35 – Working on DOT audits: Waste, fraud, and... pacemakers?!
58:22 – Lithium batteries causing plane explosions 🤯
1:01:32 – The unintended consequences of regulation
1:04:08 – Office culture, politics, and marriage stats
1:10:22 – State lottery budget optimization & ethics
1:13:18 – Conservative values vs. government spending habits
1:16:19 – How the federal government really operates
1:19:34 – Lightning round trivia: Iowa counties challenge
1:28:51 – Understanding Lifetime Value & CAC
1:31:32 – Decision-making from messy data
1:34:24 – The future of originality in an AI-driven world
1:37:27 – Grit vs. comfort: Why adversity is essential
1:42:56 – Final thoughts on grit, growth & real-life lessons

Link to Alex' bonus material mentioned: https://capitoldataanalytics.com/rhymes-with-bonus/

In this episode of the Rhymes With Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with entrepreneur, broker, and ministry founder Al Lorenzen to explore how to build and sell a business for up to 5X more—without compromising your mission, values, or family legacy.

Al opens up about everything from real estate investing and running a faith-driven nonprofit ranch to smart exit strategies, mental health, parenting, and the risks of selling to private equity. Whether you're a business owner planning your exit, a leader thinking long-term, or someone simply navigating personal growth—this episode will speak to you.

👇 Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 – How Al and his wife risked everything to pursue a bigger calling
01:30 – From Europe to Iowa: Al’s journey and returning for purpose
04:48 – Childhood influences & growing up in Iowa and Texas
07:16 – Mental health, trauma, and comparison culture in the digital age
11:59 – Raising resilient kids: the importance of failure and self-sufficiency
16:15 – Intentional parenting, family structure & co-parenting
20:26 – The role of the dinner table, legacy, and healing family wounds
23:03 – Dark seasons in college, identity struggles & transformation
25:13 – Building Victory Ranch: faith, horses & healing veterans
27:39 – Life lessons from horses & equine therapy for growth
30:20 – Running nonprofit events & the cost of running a ranch
32:40 – Al's pivot into business: buying a brokerage & process overhaul
40:15 – Adventures in entrepreneurship: 14-hour road trip for a horse trailer
43:00 – Why kids might not want to take over the family business
45:05 – Building with the end in mind: selling with legacy in mind
47:11 – Cleaning up your books before the sale: SDE & SOPs
49:31 – Transitioning from being “the business” to creating systems
51:34 – Small-town businesses, restaurant sales & seller financing
53:39 – Why Al hates selling to private equity (and who should care)
56:14 – Protecting your employees, clients & community in a sale
58:41 – What drives your business’s valuation: cash flow is king
01:01:22 – Growing into larger M&A deals & staying adaptable
01:03:00 – Al's wildest memory from European basketball: a full-on riot
01:08:06 – Exit planning: hiring, systems, and leadership transition
01:10:20 – Why having no succession plan is a recipe for disaster
01:12:36 – Adversity, career pivots & the fatherhood legacy
01:15:14 – Managing stress, payroll anxiety & the cost of ministry
01:17:32 – Faith, purpose, and building a bigger table for all
01:20:10 – Career mentoring as a dad: how to prep kids for their path
01:22:22 – Final thoughts on parenting with love & growth in mind
01:24:44 – Outro: subscribe, rate, and connect with Snod Media Group

🔥 What You'll Learn:

• How to increase your business's valuation before selling

• Why most owners sabotage their exit unknowingly

• How faith and family fuel Al’s business decisions

• The risks of selling to private equity (and how to protect your team)

• Real-world lessons from horses, parenting, and international basketball

What would you do if your boss kept handing you late paychecks—and then expected you not to cash them? For Louis Luong, that was the breaking point. In this raw and insightful episode, Louis shares how he went from being overworked, underpaid, and mentally exhausted... to building a thriving video production business in Los Angeles, earning $96,000+ and working with major clients like Orca Security and Clutch Solutions.🔥 In This Episode You'll Learn:Why Louis left his 9–5 job after 9 late paychecks (00:00)How college skits led to a full-time video career (08:11)The gritty details of surviving as a solo creator in LA (13:12)His client acquisition strategy using Instagram and LinkedIn (49:24)What it's like working in the cybersecurity and mental health niches (36:05)Why Louis publicly shares his income and career stats online (1:07:33)The exact strategy he used to go from $500 music videos to $10,000 shoots (1:04:54)How he and his wife paid off debt and changed their life with business income (1:20:27)Real talk about burnout, identity, and building a reputation in the creator economy (1:10:07)💡 Whether you're a freelancer, videographer, creative, or someone trying to escape the golden handcuffs of a toxic job—this episode is packed with value, inspiration, and tactical advice.📍 Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Why Louis quit his job08:11 – Early days at Drake & starting in video13:12 – Being a one-man video crew28:34 – Taking video production fully in-house36:05 – Working in cybersecurity & mental health industries46:53 – Quitting after 9 late paychecks49:24 – Finding new clients on social1:04:54 – The $500 → $10,000 project scaling method1:07:33 – Public income recaps and radical transparency1:20:27 – Paying off debt and redefining successThanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast.

In this raw and powerful episode, we sit down with Will Keeps—a former Chicago gang member turned community leader, musician, and founder of Starts Right Here, a nonprofit transforming the lives of at-risk youth in Des Moines, Iowa.Will shares his incredible life story, from surviving abuse and gang violence to getting signed by Mary J. Blige and ultimately finding his true calling: mentoring and educating the youth that society often overlooks.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Will’s journey through childhood trauma and gang lifeWhat it was like being signed to Mary J. Blige’s record labelThe reality of being shot, and how near-death experiences changed his pathFounding Starts Right Here and helping "kids in the dirt" find their lightCollaborating with state leaders and high officials for real community changeThe heartbreaking events of January 23, 2023, and how he kept pushing forwardHis unfiltered thoughts on authenticity, faith, and not pleasing everyoneWhy he refuses to dilute his message—and how you can help his mission💥 Will’s story isn’t just inspirational—it’s transformational. Whether you’re navigating your own struggles or looking for hope in hard places, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about purpose, resilience, and leadership.🔗 Support Starts Right HereLearn more or donate: https://startsrighthere.org📚 Grab Will’s Book "Willpower"Available on Amazon and at https://willkeeps.com

What if you committed to publishing a podcast every single day—for five years—without missing ONE? That’s exactly what Delaney Howell did. In this jaw-dropping episode, she shares the ups, downs, and wild moments from building a podcasting empire straight from rural Iowa.Delaney is not just a podcaster—she’s a business powerhouse. She runs 5 companies ranging from agriculture to real estate to digital marketing, and she shares how she balances it all while staying connected to her farm roots.🔥 Inside this episode:Why she started her podcast and how it grew to 1,800+ episodesThe power of consistency (and how it saved her brand)How she built a 5-business portfolio with her husbandCreating content during burnout and how she reignited passionHer vision for a women-led rural business networkMarketing insights for small ag-based companiesWhy picking the right partner is key to successHow one stranger on a plane changed everything

Check out her community: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577367116402

What happens when you grow up with a blind mother and a quadriplegic father? If you're Adam Clarke, you turn resilience into creative fuel. In this powerful episode, Adam shares how his unique upbringing gave him the grit, perspective, and curiosity to build a career in design and leadership that spans agencies, in-house teams, and branding for Fortune 500 companies. Today, Adam leads a creative team for a large insurance and annuities company

💡 We dive into:How early adversity built a lifelong creative mindsetTransitioning from hands-on design to leading creative teamsThe real difference between agency and in-house creative workHow to make "boring" industries like finance emotionally compellingWhy collaboration and ego-free design are the futureHow AI is changing (but not replacing) creative workWhy Pinterest is STILL his go-to inspiration source in 2025Adam is currently the Director of Brand and Creative Services at Athen, and his wisdom applies to creatives, marketers, and entrepreneurs alike.👀 Subscribe for more deep dives with creatives and business builders.📱 Follow us on socials for podcast clips, BTS, and more content:📸 Instagram | 🎬 TikTok | 🧠 LinkedIn#CreativeDirector #Branding #DesignLeadership #InHouseCreative #RhymesWithOddPodcast #AdamClarke #CreativeCareer #MarketingStrategyThanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and real estate investor Kirk Lautensleger, a man who has built an unconventional life by buying a new business nearly every year. From failing forward to designing a life of time and health freedom, Kirk shares the blueprint behind his growing business empire — and how YOU can start doing the same.

Kirk has built and acquired everything from massage franchises and real estate portfolios to streaming yoga platforms and finance companies.

With 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience, he reveals why buying existing businesses is smarter than starting from scratch, how he creatively finances deals, and the real definition of success (hint: it’s not just money).

🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn:00:00 – Failing forward: Why Kirk embraces obstacles01:55 – Buying vs. building: The smarter way to own a business05:25 – The appeal of acquisition entrepreneurship07:45 – Owning a window & door business by chance10:24 – Why he skipped expensive masterminds16:10 – How he uses real estate to fund his lifestyle23:59 – From Wall Street dreams to yoga startup pivots32:31 – Skills learned across wildly different industries37:59 – Why time is greater than money43:00 – Avoiding shiny object syndrome51:02 – Scaling with operators in each business1:05:11 – The business opportunity in education (massage therapy school)1:26:17 – Retirement? Not a chance1:28:48 – Why waiting for the “perfect moment” is a trap1:33:52 – How to connect with Kirk💡

Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, Ryan, Tanner, and Cory dive deep into the journey and growth of the Farm for Profit podcast, sharing insights from their nearly six-year run. They discuss the challenges of staying authentic and entertaining in podcasting, the importance of consistency to build a loyal audience, and how their content evolved from dry lectures to engaging storytelling by playing off each other’s personalities. The conversation also explores the scale of their operation, producing two shows a week with a growing team, and their strategic moves like acquiring and renovating a former gas station into a dream podcast studio. They candidly share lessons learned about sponsorships, marketing, and navigating social media challenges—such as dealing with TikTok bans. The hosts emphasize the power of building genuine relationships, experimenting with content formats, and embracing new platforms like video to grow their audience. Throughout, they encourage aspiring podcasters to start now, be authentic, and stay consistent to find their unique voice and success.Timestamps: (00:00–00:35) Podcast longevity and authenticity: The hosts reflect on how the show unexpectedly lasted over six years with two episodes per week, emphasizing the importance of being yourself and consistent in podcasting.(00:52–01:09) Introduction of guests Tanner and Cory from Farm4Profit podcast, discussing podcasting as a full-time profession and the challenges involved.(06:16–09:00) Early podcast feedback: Tanner joined and suggested making the content more entertaining instead of dry lectures, leading to audience growth and evolving the podcast’s style.(09:00–12:00) Scale of Farm4Profit: They now produce two weekly shows with video on Spotify and other platforms, highlighting the complexity and workload behind the scenes.(14:46–17:50) Audience growth and podcast survival stats: The podcast steadily grew, exploded after Corey joined, and they discuss how most podcasts fail after a few episodes, stressing persistence.(20:32–23:22) Marketing and repurposing content: They discuss turning podcast transcripts into blog posts and the importance of balancing unique content with what listeners want.(26:07–28:45) Building relationships and guest network: After years of podcasting, they have strong industry connections and repeat guests, helping to sustain the show and community.(29:05–37:23) Buying and renovating a studio: They purchased and converted an old Casey’s gas station into a professional podcast studio, which required months of planning and unexpected challenges.(43:11–49:14) Business growth and partnerships: They talk about adjusting their business strategy to handle overhead costs, partnering with industry groups, and managing advertising and sponsorships.(52:02–57:54) Challenges with social media platforms: They share a story of their TikTok account being banned and discuss negativity toward successful entrepreneurs who take different paths.(1:00:51–1:03:59) Team growth and delegation: They reflect on learning to delegate tasks like editing to improve efficiency and focus on their strengths.(1:06:55–1:09:50) Social media strategy: Followers are vanity metrics; good content will perform well regardless. Emphasize authenticity over follower count.(1:34:17–1:46:00) Advice for new podcasters: Despite competition, they encourage starting a podcast anyway and stress the importance of consistency, being authentic, and embracing video earlier.(1:48:53) Closing call to action: Encourages listeners to subscribe and follow on social media to support the podcast.Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes With Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Ryan and Megan, the third-generation owners of P&M Apparel, a thriving screen printing business based in Polk City, Iowa.

What started in their grandparents' basement has grown into a full-scale apparel operation serving both local and national customers. From humble beginnings and family legacy to digital transformation and e-commerce innovation, this episode is packed with insights on running a modern family business.

🧵 Topics Covered:[00:00] The origin story: from a basement in Webster City to a storefront[02:00] Legacy and lineage: how WWII vet Melvin and wife Phyllis started it all[06:00] Megan’s journey from childcare to graphic design to full-time at P&M[10:00] Family expectations vs. freedom in generational businesses[14:00] Digital transformation: going paperless and streamlining operations[20:00] Strategic relocation to Polk City and the benefits of visibility[25:00] Competing with Amazon: How P&M keeps up in a prime-speed world[29:00] Fundraising and online stores: 1/3 of the business now e-commerce[34:00] Communication and trust as co-owners (and siblings!)[37:00] Blending family life and business with humor and practicality[43:00] Fun lightning round: gas tank trivia, Star Wars trilogies, and more[52:00] Thoughts on Custom Ink, industry evolution, and shop culture[58:00] Representation in the screen printing space: diversity & women in print[1:01:00] Building community: the vision for retreats and peer groups

💡 Key Takeaways:Family businesses can thrive with clear communication and modern tech adoptionCompeting with big players means offering speed and serviceA local shop can still scale by rethinking what “local” meansEvents and networking can often be more valuable after hours than in-sessionRepresentation and innovation matter—even in seemingly “old school” industriesFollow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of Rhymes With Odd, we sit down with Adam Geneser, the founder and CEO of Power Life Yoga—a wellness empire with over 17 locations across the midwest, 450 employees, and 100,000+ monthly members.

But his story is about way more than business.Adam shares the raw and emotional journey behind building Power Life, including the loss of his niece that shaped his mission, why he left private equity to pursue purpose, and the lessons he’s learned while balancing family, fatherhood, and leadership.

🔑 Summary Points:(00:00) Total Commitment from Day OneAdam invested his entire life savings into Power Life Yoga. He described it as a "five-year decision" — something that wouldn't show returns immediately but required long-term belief.(01:11) From Finance to YogaA former private equity professional, Adam shifted from a finance career in Colorado to building a yoga studio chain in Des Moines, Iowa — now boasting 17+ locations and nearly 450 employees.(18:54) Personal Tragedy Sparked ChangeA life-altering moment came when his niece tragically passed away, prompting a reevaluation of life and inspiring him to return to Iowa and build something more purpose-driven.(25:01) Core Values & Company CulturePower Life was built on values like treating people with respect and integrity — not just as business assets. His wife naturally embodied these values, which helped shape the company's culture.(34:30) Leadership & Letting GoAdam discussed the difficulty of stepping back from areas like finance and operations — his strong suits — and trusting others, battling decision fatigue and burnout in the process.(46:55) Humble BeginningsThe first teacher trainings were run out of their living room with a handful of instructors. Those early teachers remain some of the company’s longest-tenured employees today.(56:01) Metrics-Driven GrowthAdam developed metrics organically as the business grew, using data to shape decisions — but also valued the balance between numbers and human insight.(1:11:43) Strategic Expansion During COVIDHe negotiated better lease rates during the pandemic, capitalizing on a down market to expand strategically without overextending.(1:18:14) Target Market StrategyFuture growth is focused on a triangle of cities (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri) all within driving distance from Kansas City, enabling support and shared resources.(1:32:12) Entrepreneurial RealitiesAdam reflects on how entrepreneurship demands wearing every hat, scaling gradually, and eventually building the right team to delegate effectively.Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast