The Lounge

George Baker is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and founder behind To the Moon Ventures. Before backing other founders, he built ParkHub, a company that helped transform parking from a last-minute cash transaction into a smarter, data-driven experience for venues, operators, and customers.

In this episode of The Lounge, George joins Ben to share the story behind ParkHub, how the company worked with the Dallas Cowboys, why parking became a powerful source of revenue and customer data, and what he learned from building and selling a company over more than a decade.

Thank you to our sponsor Park Place:

https://www.parkplace.com/

After a 33-year Navy career that included serving as a Top Gun instructor and senior intelligence leader, retired Navy Captain John "Skid" Markley shares the leadership principles that shaped his military career and now help him mentor the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss what Hollywood gets wrong about Top Gun, why leadership is a responsibility rather than a title, how elite teams pursue excellence, why attention to detail matters, mentoring young leaders, military discipline, parenting, and what every entrepreneur and business owner can learn from decades of service.

Whether you're leading a company, raising a family, or simply looking to become a better leader, this conversation is packed with timeless lessons on discipline, accountability, and servant leadership.

Thank you to our sponsor Park Place:

https://www.parkplace.com/

Deron joins Ben to share the story behind Players TV, the athlete-owned media network backed by 70+ athletes and thousands of fan investors.

In this episode, Deron opens up about getting fired early in his TV career, learning how to create brand deals for athletes and creators, and eventually helping build a media company designed to give athletes ownership, distribution, and control over their stories.

He breaks down why endorsements are no longer enough, how athlete-led media is changing the sports business, why data matters more than impressions, and how NIL could reshape the future of local and regional athlete marketing.

Thank you to our sponsor Park Place:

https://www.parkplace.com/

Former MLB pitcher Shawn Tolleson opens up about the pressure, injuries, setbacks, and mindset shifts that shaped his career, and how those lessons now fuel his mission with POP Athletics. In this episode, Shawn breaks down why pressure may be “made up,” why young athletes are tying their identity too closely to performance, and how parents, coaches, and leaders can help create a healthier path to growth.

From getting injured in front of MLB scouts to learning how to focus on inputs over outcomes, this conversation is packed with powerful lessons for athletes, parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process.

Thank you to our sponsor Western Commerce Group:

https://western-companies.com/ 

What happens when an athlete spends millions producing a documentary, only to discover that nobody wants to distribute it? In this episode of The Lounge, PlayersTV co-founder Collin Castellaw reveals the hidden economics of athlete media, why millions of social media followers do not guarantee an audience, and how athletes can protect their ownership, creative control, and financial interests.

He also shares his unexpected journey from art teacher to basketball creator and media entrepreneur, explains how PlayersTV built an athlete-owned distribution network, and exposes the costly mistakes creators make when hiring production companies. This conversation is essential for athletes, founders, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to build valuable content without overspending or surrendering control.

Anthony Tolliver’s path to the NBA was anything but easy. After going undrafted, getting cut multiple times, and facing personal loss early in his career, he built a 13-year NBA career through faith, resilience, hard work, and an unshakable sense of identity.

In this episode of The Lounge, Anthony shares what rejection taught him, why comparison destroys growth, how young athletes should think about money, and the business lessons he learned after life in professional basketball. This conversation is for anyone looking to build confidence, overcome setbacks, and create long-term success on and off the court.

Thank you to our sponsor Western Commerce Group:

https://western-companies.com/ 

Most leaders think success comes from strategy, growth, and execution but what if the real problem is much deeper? In this episode, Keith Lewis breaks down the hidden gap between who you think you are and how you actually show up as a leader. From identity and authenticity to ego, blind spots, and the misuse of AI, this conversation reveals why so many high performers plateau and how to break through.

If you're an entrepreneur, founder, or executive looking for clarity, growth, and real alignment in your leadership, this episode will challenge how you think about success and what it truly takes to lead effectively.

Thank you to our sponsor Western Commerce Group:

https://western-companies.com/ 

AI is not going away, and most leaders know they’re behind. In this episode of The Lounge, Brian H. Munroe (Founder, MTI Global) breaks down where CEOs and founders should actually start with AI, how to avoid “key man risk” when one internal expert holds all the knowledge, and why the best first move is using AI as a thought partner that challenges your board deck, strategy, and blind spots.

We also dive into real business use cases (after hours AI agents, call centers, data entry, workflow automation), what “agentic AI” really means, and why the future looks like an org chart of AI agents talking to each other. If you want to grow smarter, move faster, and keep the human experience intact, this is the playbook.

A dad hears the words no parent is ready for: “He may never use his limbs, voice, or open his eyes.” In this powerful conversation, Tim Siegel shares Luke’s story, the mindset that carried their family through the unknown, and the moments of progress that felt like winning the Super Bowl. If you’ve ever faced a devastating diagnosis, this episode will give you perspective, hope, and practical direction.

Thank you to our sponsor Western Commerce Group:

https://western-companies.com/ 

Discover how KlutchShots AI is revolutionizing the way sports highlights are captured and shared. In this video, Ben Davis and Steffond Johnson talk with Jeff Snyder about the innovative use of AI technology to provide instant, pro-quality sports highlights. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports enthusiast, KlutchShots AI offers tools that elevate sports video content to the next level.

Join us as we explore the future of game highlights and the impact of AI in sports technology. With real-time analytics, coaches can make informed decisions to optimize player performance and gain a competitive edge. This video delves into how these advancements are enhancing coaching strategies and fan engagement, providing a comprehensive look at the transformative power of AI in sports.

Thank you to our sponsor Western Commerce Group:

https://western-companies.com/