The Jason Cavness Experience

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Christina Brennan — a corporate event MC, communications consultant, and stand-up comedian who knows how to engage any audience.

Christina shares how she blends business strategy with comedy to help leaders and founders communicate with confidence. From performing stand-up across the country to coaching over 250 entrepreneurs on public speaking, Christina's journey is all about turning stage fright into stage power — and helping others do the same.

Episode Highlights

• Blending comedy and business communication • Public speaking and overcoming fear on stage • Coaching founders to win pitch competitions • Comedy writing, timing, and feedback • The art of reading the room and handling hecklers • Gender balance and inclusion in the comedy world • Event management, marketing, and creative strategy • The crossover between humor and leadership • Finding your authentic voice in business and on stage

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Christina Brennan is an experienced event MC, communications consultant, and stand-up comedian. With a background in marketing and public speaking, she's coached more than 250 startup founders and entrepreneurs — helping dozens win pitch competitions and refine their message.

She currently serves as Event Sales Manager at The Denver Improv, where she curates unforgettable live experiences, and continues to perform comedy nationwide. Christina holds a B.A. in Communication with a Business minor from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Her work bridges entertainment, entrepreneurship, and education — always with humor and heart.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennanchristina/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference — two days of workshops, speakers, and community-building focused on equity and inclusion in education.

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityed-2024-an-antiracist-education-conference-tickets-897526113767?aff=JasonLinkedIn

Partners

Message your customers – https://www.tawk.to/?pid=byo1znq Payroll – https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr Sales CRM for small business – https://refer.close.com/100cqlbfcgg5 Health Insurance and Benefits – https://www.peoplekeep.com/refer

Guest Quote / Advice

"Public speaking and comedy both come down to one thing — connection. If you can connect with people, you can move them, teach them, or make them laugh."

Barbara Phillips Executive Director of Community Network Council

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference Get ready for two days curated with engaging workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring speakers, all aimed at equipping you with the tools, skills, and insights needed to create inclusive and empowering spaces within any educational setting.

To RSVP and to attend the conference use this link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityed-2024-an-antiracist-education-conference-tickets-897526113767?aff=JasonLinkedIn

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-bread-advancing-equity-registration-950939253907?aff=BarbEmail

Barbara's Bio

Ms. Phillips has been dedicated to the community for the last 30 years serving in various capacities in the Kent School District and the City of Kent. She was one of several individuals that founded CNC and continues to serve as the Executive Director. Barbara worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 27 years and holds a master's degree in project management and B.S. in Workforce Education and Development.

As the Executive Director she develops and manages youth programs, collaborates with organizations that benefit youth and their families. She continues to build alliances with schools, industry, and government offices to promote programming.

We talked about the following and other items

Barbara Phillips' Background and Interests

Barbara's Career Journey and Advocacy Work

Establishing and Growing CNC

Academic Coaching and Parental Involvement

Vetting Coaches and Expanding Programs

Challenges and Systemic Issues in Education

Building Alliances and Fundraising

Equity Ed Conference and Community Engagement

Personal Reflections and Long-Term Vision

Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts.

Barbara's Social Media

Barbara's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-phillips-15566519/

Community Network Council: https://wacnc.org/

Talking Short Stocks with Kelly Kirk Financial Literacy Enthusiast - Walter the Vault's Director of Content & Innovation

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

Sponsor

CavnessHR delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP.

www.CavnessHR.com

Partners

Message your customers - https://www.tawk.to/?pid=byo1znq

Payroll - https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr

Sales CRM for small business - https://refer.close.com/100cqlbfcgg5

Health Insurance and Benefits - https://www.peoplekeep.com/refer

Kelly's Bio

Kelly Kirk is an enthusiastic educator, entrepreneur, and content creator with a passion for financial literacy. With over a decade in international education, Kelly has honed her skills in making learning memorable, effective, and engaging. From founding a private acting school for international students in Shanghai to freelance acting with educational apps, Kelly's journey has been marked by creativity, leadership and innovation. Her experiences have shown her the power of immersive teaching methods, transforming textbooks into captivating experiences.

Returning to the USA, Kelly's curiosity led her to explore finance and investing even more than ever before, resulting in making big moves on her own with impressive returns on investments like Netflix and Dogecoin - this allowed her to invest in "Walter the Vault" an iconic character to help families to learn about money. Over the past 3 years she's worked building out this business, paid in sweat labor, ownership and encouragement. She's 100% driven to share simplified financial literacy knowledge for families, believing that financial education should be a fundamental part of everyone's life from a young age.

In addition to building out educational financial content, Kelly boldly advocates for retail investors, proudly holding positions in GameStop, AMC, and "the former" Bed Bath and Beyond. She sees these investments as incredible opportunities to challenge financial norms and empower individuals. To be clear, Kelly is not a financial advisor, nothing she says is financial advice... she encourages you to do your own research and not consider any of this conversation anything more than speculation. It's similar to celebrity gossip, but business gossip that Kelly is invested in and excited about, chatting about. Don't read into it more than that. Do your own research.

Kelly's passion for "Walter the Vault's" success qualified her as a finalist for "Rising Leader" among the 2023 Women in Toys, Wonder Women Awards. She is also currently studying for her EMBA at Quantic University (and really enjoying the experience!) Driven by her desire to create impactful content, Kelly is focused on leaving a lasting legacy of knowledge and empowerment.

We talked about the following and other items

Financial literacy and leadership with a focus on personal growth and team building.

Teaching kids about money through online classes.

Investing in stocks and making money through short selling.

Investing in Netflix and Dogecoin, with mentions of short selling and hive mind.

Investing in crypto, stocks, and personal finance with various YouTubers and their advice.

Investing in cryptocurrency and stock market, with a focus on Bitcoin and GameStop.

The potential of video games and cryptocurrency.

Shorting stocks, potential company failures, and financial literacy.

Ryan Cohen's business ventures and background. Economic recession and potential bailouts.

Financial literacy, economic systems, and global power dynamics.

Investing and personal values, with a focus on luxury items and corruption in the stock market.

Wall Street and the stock market, with mentions of Gamestop and AMC.

Banks' risky bets and potential for financial loss.

Investing in stocks, with a focus on education and responsible use of resources.

GameStop and AMC stocks, with a focus on a new website tracking their performance.

Personal growth, financial advice, and dreams of creating TV shows.

Education system's shortcomings and potential solutions.

Generational wealth, investing, and financial literacy.

Stock market and investing with a focus on Tin Foil Hat subreddit.

Potential financial announcements for Bed Bath & Beyond and Gamestop.

Customer service and predatory practices in the business world.

Poor customer service, pricing strategies, and company policies.

Education, finance, and politics.

Homelessness and investing in stocks.

9/11 conspiracy theories and the role of whistleblowers in exposing the truth.

Politics, government secrecy, and diversity in America.

How to handle impending doom (asteroid impact) with a focus on globalism and personal freedom.

Creating educational content for kids, including TV shows and classes.

Creating educational content for kids, focusing on financial literacy and school experience.

Using art and music to promote a business.

Generational differences, financial struggles, and the impact of technology on society.

Trust in AI and medical diagnosis accuracy.

Class system and rebellion on a train.

Debt, economics, and potential solutions.

Economic instability and potential solutions.

Personal growth, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.

Kelly's Social Media

Kelly's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkwtv/

Eric Jackson - Owner and President of the Washington Rebels. The Newest Football Team of the Indoor Football League

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference

Get ready for two days curated with engaging workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring speakers, all aimed at equipping you with the tools, skills, and insights needed to create inclusive and empowering spaces within any educational setting.

To RSVP and to attend the conference use this link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityed-2024-an-antiracist-education-conference-tickets-897526113767?aff=JasonLinkedIn

Eric's Bio

My name is Eric Jackson. Born and raised in Seattle to Leslie and Leon Jackson. The reason I became involved in the sports and entertainment business is because it runs in my blood.

My father was a major influence in my decision to get into the music industry. being the bass player for such greats as James Brown and B.B King, and I played sports in college .

So going into the sport entertainment business was natural for me. I've worked and ran multiple night clubs in the Seattle area before going into law enforcement.

After a few yrs. of law enforcement I was slightly discouraged and decided to try my hand at professional arena football in an executive position. Then I came to the point where I was able to purchase my own professional sports team and here, we are.

We talked about the following and other items

Entrepreneurship, leadership, and family legacy.

The challenges of the music industry, including cutthroat competition and dealing with egos.

Seattle's music scene, including grunge and hip-hop.

Nightclub management challenges and the impact of alcohol on customers.

Challenges in local law enforcement during COVID-19. Police defunding, local law enforcement challenges, and community outreach.

Career transition from corrections to sports management.

Political campaigns, skeletons, and how to handle them.

Politics, campaigns, and connections in Seattle.

Politics, housing, and homelessness in Washington state.

Addressing homelessness in Kent, WA, with a focus on transitional housing and infrastructure improvements.

Building a football team and league, challenges and opportunities.

Forming a new football team, partnerships, and scheduling.

Sports ownership, financial sustainability, and player commitment.

The success of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and its commissioner, Todd.

Starting a new football team in Canton, Ohio, with plans for profitability and community involvement.

Partnerships, sponsorships, and product placement for a new sports league.

Creating a successful sports league, focusing on fan experience and mentorship.

Sports franchise partnerships and TV rights.

Eric's Social Media

Eric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-jackson-69079a5b/

Eric's Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason speaks with Aubrey Shinholster, President of the Community Network Council and Senior Customer Experience Program Manager at Microsoft.

Aubrey shares his journey from two decades at Boeing to leading community impact initiatives in South King County. They explore mentorship, leadership, diversity, and how to create real progress in education and the workplace. Aubrey also discusses what it means to be a "girl dad" in the tech era and the importance of empowering young people to pursue STEM careers with confidence and curiosity.

Episode Highlights

• Building equity and inclusion in education and tech • The mission of the Community Network Council and its youth programs • Mentorship, coaching, and developing future leaders • The realities of diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate America • Parenting daughters in a STEM-focused world • Leadership lessons from the military and Boeing • Improving customer experiences at Microsoft • Nonprofit fundraising, community impact, and collaboration • Emotional well-being, success, and redefining happiness

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Aubrey Shinholster is the President of the Community Network Council (CNC) and a Senior Customer Experience Program Manager at Microsoft, where he leads major IT and product initiatives that enhance global customer engagement.

With over 20 years at Boeing and more than 15 years of community leadership, Aubrey combines corporate expertise with grassroots impact. Through CNC, he supports educational equity, mentorship programs for at-risk youth, and initiatives that build bridges between business, education, and community organizations.

Aubrey holds degrees in Organizational Leadership, Information Management, and Business Administration, and is known for his passion for empowering others to find purpose through service and growth.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-s-b1731946/ Email – [email protected] Community Network Council – https://wacnc.org/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference, October 2–3 at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center.

Join educators, students, parents, and community leaders for two transformative days of learning, collaboration, and action. RSVP here: • EquityED 2024 Conference • Breaking Bread: Advancing Equity Event

Guest Quote / Advice

"Leadership isn't just about managing people it's about creating opportunities for others to thrive. Real impact starts with mentorship, empathy, and showing up for your community."

Mariah Smith, Director of Operations at Accrete AI, Town Council Member of Stephens City, Virginia, and Vice-Chair of No One Left Behind, joins Jason Cavness for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and compassion in action.

A 20-year U.S. Army Veteran and FBI National Academy graduate, Mariah shares lessons from her service in Afghanistan and Iraq, her work helping Afghan interpreters resettle in the U.S., and her transition into the world of AI and public service. She also opens up about resilience, purpose, and the belief that small acts of good can create lasting impact.

Episode Highlights

• Life lessons from 20 years in the U.S. Army • Rescuing a kitten in Afghanistan and finding balance through empathy • The mission of No One Left Behind and resettling Afghan allies • Challenges of refugee integration — housing, language, and opportunity • Leadership, burnout, and finding fulfillment in service • Transitioning from the military to the private sector • Women's leadership in defense, tech, and government • Using AI to solve real-world problems in national security and business • Local politics, housing, and building community in Stephens City

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Mariah Smith is the Director of Operations at Accrete AI, a company developing advanced artificial intelligence solutions for defense, intelligence, and enterprise sectors. A U.S. Army Veteran with 20 years of service, she served as a Military Police Officer, graduating from the FBI National Academy (Session 256), and deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Djibouti.

Beyond her military and AI career, Mariah serves as a Town Council Member in Stephens City, Virginia, and Vice-Chair of No One Left Behind, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Afghan and Iraqi interpreters who supported U.S. forces resettle safely in the U.S.

She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in Security Management from Webster University.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahcsmith/ No One Left Behind – https://www.nooneleft.org/ No One Left Behind X – https://x.com/n1leftbehind Accrete.ai – https://www.accrete.ai/ Accrete.ai X – https://x.com/accreteai

Guest Quote / Advice

"Focus on putting good into the world. I think a lot of happiness can be derived from making a difference."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 🌍 Attend EquityED 2024 — An Antiracist Education Conference: RSVP Here 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com

In this relaxed and entertaining episode, Jason Cavness sits down with Kevin Inthapandith, Creative Director and U.S. Military Veteran, to trade stories about service, leadership, and life after the military.

From the meaning behind military coins to hilarious memories from deployments, this episode blends reflection, humor, and real talk about growth, brotherhood, and creative reinvention. Jason and Kevin also dig into entrepreneurship, the Vietnam hustle culture, and how AI and technology are reshaping how we think about work, storytelling, and legacy.

Episode Highlights

• The hidden stories behind military coins and traditions • Humor, resilience, and camaraderie in service • Leadership lessons from military life • Transitioning from the military to creative work • Vietnam travel stories and cultural takeaways • Entrepreneurship and motivation • AI, innovation, and what the future might hold • Reflections on discipline, aging, and gratitude

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Kevin Inthapandith is a Creative Director and U.S. Army Veteran known for his sharp eye for design and his storytelling mindset. Drawing on years of leadership, teamwork, and creative execution, Kevin brings a rare blend of discipline and artistic insight to every project.

From his time in the military to his work in creative direction, Kevin's journey reflects resilience, humor, and a deep respect for service, growth, and community.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevininthapandith/

Guest Quote / Advice

"Every coin tells a story a moment, a mission, or a memory. The longer you serve, the more you realize the value isn't in the metal, it's in the people."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Marsha Mavunkel, Chair of the Immigration Group at Ryan Swanson Law, joins Jason Cavness to discuss the realities of U.S. immigration from H-1B visas to family reunification — and the human stories behind every case.

A first-generation American and daughter of Indian immigrants, Marsha brings deep expertise and empathy to her work, helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate one of the most complex systems in U.S. law. In this episode, she shares practical insights on immigration policy, career development in law, and finding balance between leadership, motherhood, and advocacy.

Episode Highlights

• Navigating the immigration system as both an attorney and first-generation American • Career development and mentorship in law • The human side of immigration — families, opportunity, and hope • H-1B visas, compliance, and corporate immigration challenges • Systemic backlogs, delays, and how clients can respond • The reality of policy shifts under different administrations • Balancing family, culture, and professional life • Why advocacy and empathy matter in legal work

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Marsha Mavunkel serves as Chair of the Immigration Group at Ryan Swanson Law, where she specializes in U.S. Immigration and Naturalization law. Her practice spans both family and employment-based immigration, guiding individuals and corporations through the legal process while ensuring I-9 compliance and regulatory accuracy.

The daughter of immigrants from Kerala, India, Marsha combines professional expertise with personal perspective. She has worked in the immigration field as a researcher, visiting professional, and pro bono attorney. A leader in her field, she's served as Chair of the AILA Washington Chapter and on multiple Executive Committees of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-mavunkel-5163b545/ Company Website – https://ryanswansonlaw.com/ X – https://x.com/RyanSwansonLaw Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ryanswansonlaw/

Guest Quote / Advice

"The immigration system is a maze — even for those of us who work in it every day. Sometimes the best thing clients can do is stay patient, reach out to their congressperson, or contact an ombudsman. It's frustrating, but persistence pays off."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Love, Sex & Sorrow — Tigest Beyene on Healing, Writing, and Self-Belief

Tigest Beyene, author of Love, Sex and Sorrow, opens up about turning pain into purpose through writing. In this conversation with Jason Cavness, she shares how self-publishing her memoir became both a test of vulnerability and an act of healing. From navigating domestic violence and mental-health recovery to embracing joy, self-care, and laughter, Tigest shows what it means to bet on yourself and reclaim your story.

Episode Highlights

• Writing Love, Sex and Sorrow and the courage to publish vulnerably • Healing from trauma, forgiveness, and therapy • Balancing introversion, self-expression, and creativity • Domestic violence awareness and mental-health advocacy • Finding identity through travel, culture, and community • Self-love, confidence, and personal growth • Turning pain into art and purpose

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Tigest Beyene is the author of Love, Sex and Sorrow, a deeply personal memoir exploring healing, faith, and resilience. A storyteller and advocate, she uses writing to confront taboo topics around domestic violence, mental health, and self-identity. Through vulnerability and courage, Tigest hopes to inspire others to embrace their truth, find joy, and bet on themselves.

Guest Links

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lovetigest25 Book – Love, Sex and Sorrow on Amazon

Guest Quote / Advice

"Always bet on yourself. Count on yourself. Enjoy the small moments, and never let social media make you feel like your dreams are insignificant. Laugh often, and live fully."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Don Rivers - Democratic Candidate for Washington State Governor 2024 with a big announcement

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

Sponsor

CavnessHR delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP.

www.CavnessHR.com

Partners

Message your customers - https://www.tawk.to/?pid=byo1znq

Payroll - https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr

Sales CRM for small business - https:// refer.close.com/100cqlbfcgg5

Health Insurance and Benefits - https://www.peoplekeep.com/refer

Don's Big Announcement

Don's big announcement is the fact that they have received the offer of $950 million to eradicate homelessness in Washington State

Don's Bio

Don L. Rivers is an organizer not a fraternizer. In his many years of running for public office, he has not taken money from lobbyists, or any special interest groups. He considers himself to be a representative of the people, not a politician. He not only stands for the people but with the people. Rivers wants to increase the state budget by 12.5% over the next three years. This will be accomplished through increasing more import and export commerce thus creating more jobs. Rivers plans to improve Washington State's desperate need for a better mental health system.

The state and the health system need to work together to structure a mental health system that deals with preventive treatment as well as diagnostic and continuous treatment. It should be structured for everyone, not just those who are chronically mentally ill. Rivers wholeheartedly support a woman's right to freedom of choice.

No person, politician or government has the right to make that choice for a woman about what she can and cannot do with her body. Men have the freedom of choice and so should women. Rivers knows that homelessness is one of the biggest crisis facing our state and nation. He wants to develop programs that will not only help to reduce the problem but treat the underlying causes such as runaways stemming from child trafficking and abuse, inflated mortgage rates, and unemployment as well as mental illness.

Don L. Rivers plans to go across the state to all 39 counties to speak with the communities. This is to explore avenues and options which can uplift each county. Also to get a better understanding of the needs for investment opportunities in areas of real estate, manufacturing, education, etc.

We talked about the following and other items

Homelessness as untapped resource

Eradicating homelessness in Washington state with a focus on philanthropy and new revenue sources.

Eradicating homelessness in Washington state with a focus on philanthropy and economic stimulation.

Affordable housing, taxes, and community development.

Creating new communities, empowering young people, and addressing homelessness. Addressing homelessness through support and training.

Using $950 million for Washington State's success.

Providing financial support for college graduates.

Entrepreneurship, homeownership, and community development.

Tribalism in Washington State Democratic Party convention.

Politics, governance, and party unity.

Joe Biden's weaknesses and how to address them.

Leadership, politics, and social issues.

Leadership, passion, and community service in Washington State.

Don's Social Media

Campaign Website: https://www.votedonlrivers.com/

Campaign FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617580465&mibextid=ZbWKwL