Our guest today is Mike Millman, mayor of Woodinville, WA -- a growing suburbia outside of Seattle. Mike joins us to share his life of civic service  as a long time firefighter in Everett, fire commissioner for Woodinville and volunteer of Woodiville's city planning committee. Later recruited to fill a role on city council and eventually elected Mayor of Woodinville. King County otherwise known as outside Seattle is facing massive population growth and therefore, new infrastructure demands. Woodinville, and locations of the like, feel like they are bursting at the seams in regards to the flow of foot and car traffic. Millman talks about local government, city planning and upgrades to the area that will help unburden locals. Normally, we hear these conversations around the dinner table as complaints and frustrations. This refreshing take on city growth and progress gives the audience a look at how areas outside larger cities manage and evolve due to urban sprawl. Doubly refreshing to hear from a local politician who sincerely cares for the future vision of his home and families in the area. We hope you enjoy today's episode. 

Where do we even begin? Poteet Victory is one of the world’s most in-demand and collectible contemporary Native American artists. Although Victory’s work is abstract, his Cherokee-Choctaw influence still shines through his paintings.

Poteet called in from his art studio in downtown Santa Fe, NM. His story is full of name drops, different zip codes, American history and success. Victory was first approached as an artist by his mentor, Harold Stevenson, who is famous for the controversial painting, The New Adam, which is now in the Guggenheim’s permanent collection. The art scene he describes is out of movie. In NYC spending time with Andy Warhol to what he calls his "start" working for a t-shirt graphic company in Maui (owned by a group who believed Jesus lived in an alien spaceship). His largest work, a 13ft tall and 60ft wide mural, still stands unfinished due to its controversial content which was rejected by the museum half way through its completion. The mural aimed to depict the Trail of Tears; the deadly and forceful migration of Native Americans to Oklahoma. 

He is a celebrated artist recently added to the Hall of Fame for Native American Art. He has served in the military, lived all over the USA, retains celebrity clientele and yet, remains a humble spirit. Enjoy this episode with guest, Poteet Victory, and learn the many lives he has lived with his years.

Robert Keating reminds us that life is long and retirement is an opportunity to become a whole new version of yourself. Robert was the long term CEO, now chairman of Topographic Inc. His company specialized in aero photography surveying oil and gas land. After running his company, Robert leaned into his creative side and became an author of his first book titled "Poteet Victory." His recent published work explores the tremendously colorful life of Poteet Victory, an American Indian who is now one of the most collected artists in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Keating spent an entire year studying Poteet to tell his story -- you can learn about the making of this book and the artist who is known for the highly controversial mural "Trail of Tears" on the campus of Oklahoma University. It still stands unfinished due to disagreements and discomfort about the depiction of Native American violence. The mural depicts the abuse of Native Americans during forced migration to Oklahoma. 

Today's guest, Jim Donaghy has over three decades of experience as a sales consultant. He is the founder and owner of Topline Consulting who opened their doors in 1994. His company primarily partners with growth stage companies in the tech space, usually $5M to $100M, to help them improve their revenue and forecasting accuracy through sales process consulting. In this interview, you'll find that Jim found his career unexpectedly after graduating college with a degree in philosophy. He jokes that--much to his dad's disappointment--he graduated at a crossroads that ultimately gave him the propensity to find his mentor and success in the business world. Jim's advice: "Early in my career I thought I was expected to know all of the answers. Now I realize the power of saying, 'I don't know but let’s figure it out.'"

Betty Jo Costanzo’s award winning art has been described as “getting lost with a purpose” and “what a place would be like if you belonged there.” We had the honor of interviewing her, learning her journey as an artist, teacher and human. Her work is held in corporate, private and public collections around the world and her public exhibitions and residencies span four decades both regionally and internationally. Her long term mentor and friend, Jay DeFeo, continues to influence her art as well as her love for water and the magic of the natural world. Recently she started Living Oceans, a donation program to give back to the oceans and humpback whales. Her recent collection, Catcean Dreams, is her artistic expression of her devotion to these creatures and open seas. In her own words, “If our Humpbacks do dream, as I think they must…then I think my dreams and theirs can merge…to create a vision of a bright future for them in the Oceans we share.”

Elyse Nicholson has been the executive director for Eastside Academy for 14 years. Eastside is private, Christian high school offering a holistic and integrated support system for high risk youth. This inclused therapy, substance abuse counseling, housing ect. for youth facing homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence and more. This interview explores the addiction epidemic and drug use in youth. A rising concern for many parents in the United States. Elyse shares her circuitous path to this professiol and her calling to this work. Inspiring, fascinating and heartwarming. We truly enjoyed hearing about Elyse’s perspective and the good she is offering her community. 

Michelle Hyde has been in her industry for over 20 years. She has been the founder and president of Hyde Group for 13 years, a small boutique consultancy catering to companies who need to examine their cyber security posture, business continuity and disaster recovery plan.  Additionally, she has been the co-founder for 12 years of Cloud Girls which supports women in the STEM industry offering retreats and monthly gatherings. Her interview ranges from discussing cyber threats due to pandemics and natural disaster, the COVID effect on online services, all the way to motherhood and starting her own company (with a newborn in tow). Her humor and humbleness wonderfully balance her expertise and determination.

Nicole Monahan is an art studio owner, children’s book illustrator, an educator and has her own stationery line. She also offers childrens and adolescent Summer art camps as well as adult retreats abroad that combine yoga and creativity. She is deeply inspired by Nature and environmentalism as well as the whimsical, innocent world of a child’s mind. She works with authors nationwide in creating illustrations for manuscripts that encourage children to get outside. As a single mother, she has impressively become a successful artist in her beautiful studio outside of Seattle, Washington. Nicole discusses not only her artistic side but how to market, run and operate her business as an artist in many forms. Enter an artist’s world who has evolved her passion into a lucrative business and an authentic offering for her community, family, and herself. 

Ross Shanken is leaning into retirement after 23 years of owning and operating Jornaya: a company specializing in a unique approach to data and analytics. His interview discusses selling his business, the “what now?” question, and the dedicated journey through his professional career. This episode dives deeply into the art of selling and defining your approach through study and intution. Ross and Mark offer relatable discussion for those thinking about, in the middle of, or daydreaming about retirement as well as inspiration to keep your engines fired. Look back over years of professional passion and success with Ross and Mark during this episode. 

Jesse Leonard, our guest today on The Mark Howley Show, shares his powerful recovery story from years of alcohol and drug abuse. Our podcast asks guests "how'd you do it and why?" which at times, highlight individuals who have overcome addiction. As we face the addiction epidemic in our country, we feel strongly these stories need to be heard. Jesse shares his struggles from childhood through adulthood as well as the journey he took through AA, growing his faith and perseverance to free him from addiction. He is now raising his children, has been working in the same industry for 10 years and has, impressively, summited Mt. Rainer four times. Keep it up, Jesse!