Louie Guardado joins The 39/94 for a conversation about finding his path, building a career in real estate, becoming a husband and new dad, and learning what it means to give back.

After struggling to figure out what came next, Louie joined the Army, a decision he says was one of the best he ever made. Today, he's a young realtor navigating a competitive industry while building relationships and establishing himself in Northwest Missouri.

Louie and I also talk about the whirlwind of the past two years. He and his wife got married, moved to a new city, bought a house, got a dog and had a baby.

We get into fatherhood, faith, family, the challenges of being an introvert in a relationship-driven business and the lessons Louie has learned along the way.

Louie is also spearheading The One Invitational, a golf fundraiser supporting Sisters of Solace. We talk about why giving back is important to him, the challenges of organizing his first fundraiser and what he hopes the event will accomplish.

And, of course, we have to talk about his 10-month-old son, who apparently doesn't believe in quietly waking Dad up. 😂

The One Invitational golf tournament (Oct 9, Fairview Golf Course) for Sisters of Solace

Register to Play or Become A Sponsor: https://birdease.com/THEONEINVITATIONALSTJOE

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

North Central Missouri College

https://www.ncmissouri.edu/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Realty One Group Cornerstone
• Sisters of Solace
• Fairview Golf Course
• Wellspring Community Church

Tom Brand, St. Joseph author, storyteller, and weekly columnist for about 12 Missouri newspapers, and director of the St. Joseph Community Alliance joins Jodie O'Brien this week on The 39/94 to talk about his unusual hobby of buying old photographs at thrift stores and inventing fictional stories for the strangers pictured in them, a project he sees as a way of preserving people who might otherwise be forgotten....but that's not all.

The conversation moves through his writing life, from his newspaper columns to his books, including the origin of his memorably titled first book, a tribute to his father through personal essays, and his kids' book inspired by Pony Express rider, "Johnny Fry".

Tom also opens up about surviving a massive heart attack and bypass surgery in 2013, including the moment his heart stopped and a surgeon held it by hand to keep him alive, reflecting on how it reshaped his outlook on life.

The episode closes with a candid, deeply personal conversation about the loss of his son, Alex, to suicide in 2015, suspected ties to CTE from repeated concussions, and how he and his wife have carried that grief while continuing to find meaning and gratitude.

Topics Covered:

• Preserving forgotten lives through fiction inspired by discarded photographs
• The evolution of a weekly newspaper column into published books
• Family, faith, and rural Missouri as recurring themes in his writing
• Practical guidance for first-time authors on publishing and independent bookstores
• Surviving cardiac arrest in 2013 and the perspective it produced
• Losing a child to suicide, the role of concussions, and living with grief
• Building community through the St. Joseph Community Alliance

You can learn more about Tom here: https://tombrandwrites.com/

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

North Central Missouri College

https://www.ncmissouri.edu/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• KFEQ
• EL Crawford Construction
• Greater Than Financial
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop
• Pankakes, Pups and Suds
• Scooters Coffee
• North Central Missouri College
• Pony Express Museum
• Richardson Press

Links referenced in this episode:

• richardsonpress.com

Wes Simmons played on back-to-back NCAA Division II national championship teams at Northwest Missouri State, then spent his career coaching coaches...not just in athletics, but in business, education, healthcare and beyond. Today, he is the founder of the 3D Institute and founder/president of the Joseph Company, the group behind St. Joseph's movement to reclaim its identity as the “City of Coaches.”

This week, Wes joins Jodie O'Brien on The 39/94 to talk leadership, legacy, hope and what it really means to coach beyond the scoreboard.

He explains the 3D Coaching framework and why the areas where leaders can have the greatest impact...mindset, identity, character, significance and self-worth often receive the least training. He also shares how losing his brother and being surrounded by extraordinary coaches shaped his understanding of what a healthy culture can mean when people are going through hard things.

Then we turn to St. Joseph.

A community survey conducted this year found that 78% of respondents did not believe St. Joseph was headed in a healthy direction for future generations. Wes says that should be a reason to “call a timeout”...not to give up, but to have an honest conversation about where the community goes from here.

We talk about the trust gap between citizens and community leadership, the importance of building culture intentionally, and Wes's vision for St. Joseph as the City of Coaches, a place where people can be resourced, equipped and launched to pursue their dreams.

Wes also shares the “halftime” moment during the pandemic that caused him to rethink whether he should leave St. Joseph, the difference between success and significance, and why he believes you can “make the big time where you're at.”

And, of course, we talk about Bob Ross.

This is a conversation about where St. Joseph has been, where it is now, and what it could become if its people decide to build the next chapter together.

Interested in signing up to be part of the conversation Sept 1st?

https://thejosephcompany.com/events/coaches-timeout/

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

North Central Missouri College

https://www.ncmissouri.edu/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• 3D Institute
• The Joseph Company
• Northwest Missouri State University
• EL Crawford Construction
• Great than Financial
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Wolleman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop Pancakes
• Scooters Coffee
• North Central Missouri College

For over 50 years, the Bartlett Center has been a fixture in Midtown St. Joseph, child care, preschool, after-school programs, and a lifeline for families across a low-income part of the city. This year, it's also been in the headlines: financial strain, a request to the city for rent relief, and hard questions about what comes next.

In this episode, I sit down with Tama Wagner, Vice President of the Bartlett Center's board of directors, for an honest conversation about where things stand. We talk about the Center's shoestring budget and reliance on inconsistent state subsidies, what really happened when the board went to the city council for help, the delicate balance of separating executive director Latonya Williams' political life from her role serving nearly 90 children a day, and the board's new "Friends of the Bartlett Center" push to refocus attention on the kids, families, and staff who depend on it.

We also get into Tama's own remarkable career, a journalism degree from Kansas State, a decade covering the Kansas legislature and politics for public radio (including some memories with Senator Bob Dole), a jump to the "dark side" of political campaigns, and 15 years at Mosaic Life Care before roles in manufacturing, at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, and at Missouri Western, before retiring this past June.

This is a candid look at what it actually takes to keep a community institution alive, and what you can do to help.

In this episode:

• What the Bartlett Center does day to day, and why it's always operated on the edge financially
• The real story behind the city council rent-relief request
• Navigating the politics around executive director Latonya Williams
• The board's brand refresh and new fundraising push
• Tama's path from TV reporter to political operative to nonprofit board leader
• What a thriving Bartlett Center looks like a year from now, and how to help today

How to help:

Follow "Friends of the Bartlett Center" on Facebook, or donate directly via the Center's online portal or Venmo @BartlettCenter.

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

Links referenced in this episode:

facebook.com/friendsofthebartlettcenter

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Scooter's Coffee
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Greater than Financial
• EL Crawford Construction
• Pankakes, Pups and Suds

Northwest Missouri author Sieglinde Othmer is proof that life doesn’t stop at 80, it can actually begin a whole new chapter.

On this episode of The 39/94, Sieglinde and I talk about resilience, reinvention, purpose and what it means to embrace aging with joy and intention.

After losing her longtime husband and navigating significant changes in her life, Sieglinde turned her experiences into wisdom—and eventually into her book, “Joyous Longevity: The A to Z Field Guide.”

We talk about the habits that can contribute to a longer, healthier life, why relationships and community are so important, the connection between trauma and aging, and why having a sense of purpose can make such a difference.

Sieglinde also shares five essential habits for longevity and explains why the environment and people around us can have such a profound impact on our health and well-being.

This is a conversation about getting older, but it’s really about something much bigger: how to keep growing, connecting, finding purpose and living fully in every chapter of life.

In this episode:

• Sieglinde’s journey of resilience and reinvention
• Joyous Longevity: The A to Z Field Guide
• The importance of purpose and social connection
• Five habits that can support longevity
• Managing trauma and looking toward the future
• How our communities and environments influence our well-being
• Why aging can be an opportunity—not an ending

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

Links referenced in this episode:

• joyouslongevity.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Bradley Communications
• The Metropolitan Opera
• Washington University
• University of Kentucky
• Scooter's Coffee
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Greater than Financial
• EL Crawford Construction
• Pankakes, Pups and Suds

What if one unexpected opportunity completely changed the direction of your life? That’s exactly what happened to Tracy Lindley.

A Missouri Western graduate, nationally recognized voice actor, LinkedIn educator and entrepreneur, Tracy has voiced projects for brands including Google, Walmart, Uber, NASCAR and realtor.com, all from her home studio in St. Joseph.

In this episode, Tracy shares how she accidentally discovered voice acting, the networking strategy that completely changed her business, why LinkedIn became one of her greatest marketing tools, and how she's helping creatives build sustainable careers.

She also discusses balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, creating online courses, mentoring the next generation, and advocating for voice actors through the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry.

Topics include:

• Building a national business from a small town

• Voice acting behind major brands

• LinkedIn networking strategies

• Creating passive income through online courses

• Faith, family and entrepreneurship

• AI and protecting human voices

• Finding your purpose and using your gifts

If you've ever wondered how to turn a unique skill into a successful business—or how to stand out in today's digital world—this episode is full of practical insight and inspiration.

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

North Central Missouri College

https://www.ncmissouri.edu/

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Walmart
• Business
• NASCAR
• Google
• Uber
• Missouri Western State University
• LinkedIn
• Voices.com
• Voice123.com
• Outworks
• NAVA
• Truth Travelers
• Andy Williams
• Frederick Blvd Baptist

This week on The 39/94, we sit down with Dr. Lenny Klaver, President of North Central Missouri College, for a conversation about his path into higher education leadership and his perspective on a statewide issue that affects every college campus in Missouri: funding.

Dr. Klaver walks us through his career, from Wayne State College to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside to a small Michigan university that later closed, and into the presidency he's now held for nearly a decade. He talks about the philosophy of "uncommon attention" that guides how he leads, the tradeoffs rural and community colleges face compared to four-year universities, and his view on why Missouri ranks 46th in the nation for higher ed funding per capita and what that means for students and families across the state. He also shares how dual credit works for local high schoolers, and reflects on a defining personal moment, surviving a 1979 tornado that destroyed his family's Iowa farm.

In this episode:

• (02:39) The affordability gap between community colleges and four-year universities
• (03:22) The story behind recruiting Clarence Green
• (05:14) Dr. Claver's path into a college presidency
• (07:49) Surviving the 1979 tornado that shaped his sense of purpose
• (14:46) The "uncommon attention" philosophy behind his leadership
• (19:11) His take on why Missouri ranks 46th in the nation for higher ed funding per capita
• (22:22) Dual credit and dual enrollment, explained
• (25:29) What he's watching for in the years ahead

The 39/94 Podcast – New episodes every week!

▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@the3994podcast

❤️ Support The 39/94 Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/the3994

Scooter's Coffee – Savannah & St. Joseph

https://www.facebook.com/scooterscoffeesavannah

Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop

https://www.deluxetruckstop.com/

Gina's Cafe & Catering

https://www.ginascafeandcatering.com/

E.L. Crawford Construction

http://www.elcrawford.com/

Greater Than Financial

https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/

Pankakes, Pups & Suds

https://www.facebook.com/cpankake/

North Central Missouri College

https://www.ncmissouri.edu/

Links referenced in this episode:

NCMissouri.edu

Election Day is coming up on August 4th, and if you're anywhere in the 39/94 corridor, this is your chance to weigh in on some big ballot measures that'll shape local government and community resources for years to come.

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Ross, a retired Savannah R3 teacher who spent her career teaching history and government, to break down what's actually on the ballot, no jargon, just plain talk.

Join host Jodie O'Brien for a real conversation about politics, government, and guiding the next generation to understand their civic duty. She then helps us, as voters, get ready for Election Day.

For example in this episode...

We dig into Amendment 1, which would renew a small sales tax that funds Missouri's state parks and soil conservation programs. It's passed with strong support before, so we talk about what's really at stake for local conservation efforts and public resources if it doesn't pass again.

We also get into what this means for the average household's wallet, and what the long-term trade-offs look like for community infrastructure and taking care of the environment.

We Discuss

• The upcoming election on August 4th and its impact on local communities across the 3994 corridor.
• Key issues on the ballot for the four Amendments
• Why voter turnout is critical
• Why local ballot measures are essential in smaller communities

If you enjoyed this episode, follow The 39/94, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves stories about leadership, business, and making a meaningful impact in their community.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• E.L. Crawford Construction
• North Central Missouri College
• Hair by Morgan
• Pankakes, Pups and Suds
• Greater Than Financial
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop
• Scooters Coffee

The 39/94 Podcast - New episodes every week!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The3994Podcast

Learn more about supporting The 39/94 Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/The3994

Our sponsors:

• North Central Missouri College ncmissouri.edu
• Scooter's Coffee Savannah & St. Joseph scooterscoffee.com
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop woolmanfamilytruckstop.com
• Gina's Cafe & Catering ginascafecatering.com
• E.L. Crawford Construction elcrawfordconstruction.com
• Greater Than Financial https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/
• The Launch Pad https://www.stjlaunchpad.com/

Some people measure success by what they build. Lute Atieh measures it by the people he impacts.

In this episode of The 39/94, Lute shares the journey that shaped his life and career—from the lessons that guided him to the relationships that opened doors and the mindset that led him to build businesses while investing in the community he calls home.

This isn't just a conversation about entrepreneurship. It's about leadership, resilience, taking chances, and why success means more than financial achievement. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to make a difference where you live, Lute's perspective offers valuable lessons that extend far beyond Northwest Missouri.

Join host Jodie O'Brien for an authentic conversation about opportunity, community, and the decisions that define a life well lived.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• E.L. Crawford Construction
• North Central Missouri College
• Hair by Morgan
• Pancakes, Pups and Suds
• Greater Than Financial
• Gina's Cafe and Catering
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop
• Scooters Coffee
• Mosaic
• Annovox AI

Lute Atieh joins The 39/94 to share the experiences, values, and relationships that have shaped his personal and professional journey. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on what success really means, why community matters, and the importance of investing in people as much as businesses.

• Lute's personal journey and the experiences that shaped him
• The mindset behind building successful businesses
• Why relationships are the foundation of lasting success
• Lessons learned through challenges and opportunities
• Leadership, mentorship, and giving back
• Why community investment matters
• Finding opportunity where others see obstacles
• Advice for future entrepreneurs and business leaders

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The 39/94, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves stories about leadership, business, and making a meaningful impact in their community.

The 39/94 Podcast - New episodes every week!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The3994Podcast

Learn more about supporting The 39/94 Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/The3994

Our sponsors:

• North Central Missouri College ncmissouri.edu
• Scooter's Coffee Savannah & St. Joseph scooterscoffee.com
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop woolmanfamilytruckstop.com
• Gina's Cafe & Catering ginascafecatering.com
• E.L. Crawford Construction elcrawfordconstruction.com
• Greater Than Financial https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/
• The Launch Pad https://www.stjlaunchpad.com/

For nearly 14 years, Siobhan Jackson, victim advocate with the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, has walked alongside survivors of domestic violence through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

In this powerful conversation, Siobhan shares what really happens behind closed doors, why leaving an abusive relationship is far more complicated than most people realize, and how friends, family members, law enforcement, and communities can better support victims.

She also opens up about the phone call that changed the course of her life—and ultimately led her into victim advocacy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why victims often return to abusive relationships
• Warning signs friends and family shouldn't ignore
• What a victim advocate actually does
• The criminal justice process in Missouri
• Domestic violence statistics that may surprise you
• How Northwest Missouri agencies work together to protect survivors
• Why education—not judgment—is one of the greatest tools we have
• Siobhan's vision for improving protections for victims

If you know someone experiencing domestic violence—or simply want to better understand the realities survivors face—this conversation is an important one.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.

The 39/94 Podcast - New episodes every week!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The3994Podcast

Learn more about supporting The 39/94 Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/The3994

Our sponsors:

• North Central Missouri College ncmissouri.edu
• Scooter's Coffee Savannah & St. Joseph scooterscoffee.com
• Wollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop woolmanfamilytruckstop.com
• Gina's Cafe & Catering ginascafecatering.com
• E.L. Crawford Construction elcrawfordconstruction.com
• Greater Than Financial https://www.greaterthanfinancial.com/