The Purpose Hunter

In this episode of The Purpose Hunter Podcast, Matt Berrafato sits down with drummer, educator, arts leader, and lifelong advocate Rich Holly to explore how a deep love for music evolved into a life of service, leadership, and lasting impact.

Rich shares his journey from performing on stages around the world to shaping generations of students, artists, and artsorganizations through higher education and nonprofit leadership. With humility, wisdom, and plenty of rhythm, Rich reflects on how purpose isn’t something we find once—but something we live out daily by using our gifts in service of others.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose often reveals itself when passion meets contribution—and when we’re willing to follow the beat that keeps calling us forward.

WebSite:

Rich Holly Music

Email:

[email protected]

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

In this episode of "The Purpose Hunter," I sit down with Rick Cosgrove, the CXO and President of Agency EA, a global brand experiential marketing agency.

As a fellow alum of Notre Dame College Prepin Niles, Illinois, Rick shares his remarkable story of resilience and reinvention. From pivoting out of finance and economics into architecture, to navigating a tough economy as an intern and ultimately discovering his true passion in event marketing, Rick's journey is a testament to the power ofadaptability. He has built and leads his companies by empowering employees to thrive. During his tenure at EA, he structured and launched the Creative department, growing it to a 40+ person team. Over the years he’s had the pleasure of building experiences with Intuit, HubSpot, Hilton, Autodesk,Monday.com, Samsung, Caterpillar, McDonald’s, GE, Google and Target.

Rick believes wholeheartedly in what Eleanor Roosevelt said,

"For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others."

In 2019, Rick co-founded Sô Labs, a watch brand that believes telling time should be about fun(k) not just function, through layers of color combos and strange names.

Rick currently serves on the Partnership Board for Avenues to Independence, the NBGC Associate Board and the Notre Dame College Prep Alumni Board.

Rick's family continues to be his number one top priority as he and his wife raise their three children in the Chicagolandarea.

 Join us for an in-depth conversation about finding purpose through unexpected paths—a must-listen for anyone searching for their own calling.

Email

[email protected]

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosgroverick/

Website

https://agencyea.com/

 So Labs

https://so-labs.co/?srsltid=AfmBOooWZ0qobWnWba3KpKJ-4w9VPK1qStN7SyDiKE44ey9evMqybllR

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

Join us in this captivating episode of "The Purpose Hunter" as we delve into the extraordinary journey of Leah Siegel—a woman who transformed life's challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment. From the comforts of a $2 million home to theunexpected role of a single mother and breadwinner, Leah's story is a testament to resilience and reinvention.

 Discover how Leah transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to a powerhouse in the financial industry, driven by herunwavering determination, trust, and ambition. As a highly sought-after speaker and mentor, Leah has educated countless families, helping them to dream again and achieve their goals.

Listen as Leah shares her insights on leadership, overcoming setbacks, and building a business that empowers others to redefine their lives. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or a fresh perspective on success, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to turn adversity into triumph.

 You will learn that your purpose in life may come from a totally unexpected place at an unexpected time.

 Tune in to hear Leah Siegel's inspiring story and learn how you, too, can embark on a journey from setback to success.

Website, calendar, and LinkedIn profile:

https://linktr.ee/leahsiegel

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Brian P. Swift, JD, renowned as "The Quadfather." Brian is a John Maxwell personal development coach, speaker, best-selling author, and radio personality, whose journey is a testament to resilience and purpose. At the young age of 17, a life-altering football accident left Brian learning to live fully from a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. Yet, through confidence, grit,compassion, and humor, he has transformed his challenges into opportunities.

Join us as Brian shares his incredible journey of overcoming adversity to achieve success in both his personal andprofessional life. Discover how he completed his law degree at DePaul Law School and made significant strides in corporate sales and leadership training. As the founder of SOAR, a nonprofit organization aiding people withdisabilities in accessing proper equipment for outdoor activities, Brian's mission is to inspire and empower individuals of all abilities to live life without limits.

In this inspirational conversation, Brian Swift demonstrates that life is about moving beyond excuses and embracing one’s purpose—encouraging all of us to live fully and meaningfully. Tune in to hear insights from a man who truly embodies the spirit of living life to its fullest!

Web site:

https://www.brianpswift.com/

Books:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00G008SS0?ccs_id=fd5540ec-b842-4848-b27f-26d1f7a26479

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-p-s-7b2a8010/

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

Dr. Moynes has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning four decades in both public and private sectors.

During a twenty-year career in the public sector, he taught at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary level, served as a Department Head, a Superintendent and finally as Director of Education, where he was responsible for the operation of 10 secondary schools, 40 elementary schools, and a staff of 1,500.

During a subsequent 20-year career in the private sector, he founded one private wealth management company, was a

Having stepped back from day-to-day involvement as a wealth manager, Dr. Moynes now researches and writes

One of his recent publications, The Four Phases of Retirement: What To Expect When You’re Retiring, became a Canadian best-seller within 12 months of publication.

His 2022 TEDx Talk based on the book has been viewed on YouTube and the TED app over 4.6 million times.

[email protected]

TEDx Talk – The 4 Phases of Retirement

Watch my TEDx Talk

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

Join Matt Berrafato, the Purpose Hunter, as he embarks on a captivating conversation with the legendary Wayne Messmer. Dive into the remarkable life of the voice renowned as "Chicago’s Original Voice of the National Anthem." From an unexpected moment at a college hockey game to his iconic performances with the Chicago Blackhawks, Cubs, Wolves, and more, discover how Wayne's ability to seize opportunities sculpted his extraordinary career.

In this heartfelt interview, Wayne shares personal stories of resilience, including his triumphant return after overcoming a life-threatening adversity. His message of hope and forgiveness resonates through his passionate insights, revealing the purpose that drives him. Explore how Wayne harmonizes his talents as a singer, actor, broadcaster, and Certified Speaking Professional to inspire audiences across the nation.

Tune in for an emotional and uplifting episode as Wayne Messmer imparts wisdom on finding purpose, embracing

 Website

https://waynemessmer.com/

 LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemessmer/

 YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8TS1mtgkNU&t=14s

https://bit.ly/49mu0yc

 Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

Join us on this inspiring episode as we delve into the transformative journey of John Cashman. Growing up in a bustling Irish Catholic family with seven siblings in Morton Grove, Illinois, John and I were classmates at Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois.

His initial path led him to Western Illinois University to major in corrections and alternative education with dreams of teaching. However, fate had other plans, guiding him to a master’s degree in business and an illustrious career in sales.

John learned about the importance of strong family values from his mom and dad to become a loving husband, and caring and supportive father and grandfather.

Today, John is a successful entrepreneur, heading his own sales coaching and deal strategy firm. Discover how John's background and experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and fueled his passion for empowering others in the world of sales strategy.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjcashman/

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the remarkable career of Burt Levy, who spent 22 years at the

Burt worked alongside film critic Roger Ebert and collaborated closely with major studios such as DreamWorks, Paramount, and Warner Bros.

He culminated his media career as the publisher of North Shore Magazine.

Burt shares his profound insights on organizational culture and the invaluable wisdom of long-serving employees.

Transitioning from media, Burt ventured into the technology space, creating an HR consulting firm that evolved into a technology consulting powerhouse.

Today, as the founder of Revenue Mountain, he leverages technology to help businesses grow and cultivate their company culture. In our conversation, Burt discusses his diverse experiences, from the newsroom to tech consulting to human capital, and how his unique journey has shaped his approach to business and personal success.

Don’t miss this enlightening discussion on FINDING YOUR PURPOSE in life and living it every day.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/burt-levy-38821013/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/burt.levy.3

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

In this episode of The Purpose Hunter, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Steve Luckenbach.

From overcoming a challenging upbringing to rising to prominence in sales and professional speaking, Steve's story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of understanding one's "Why".

At the age of 35, Steve found personal fulfillment with the joys of his own family, a milestone he had long aspired to

With over 17 years of professional speaking experience, Steve has authored books and captivated audiences with his profound insights on "The Art of Why".

Tune in as he shares the lessons learned from his upbringing, his competitive drive, and his wisdom on finding and embracing your true purpose.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveluckenbach/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.luckenbach

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher

In this episode, we delve into the captivating story of Kent Jones, a devoted family man, accomplished entrepreneur, and enthusiastic basketball coach. Originally from a small town near Lansing, Michigan, Kent shares his experiences of growing up as one of four boys, establishing a loving family, and pursuing a career in banking and mortgage brokerage.

As the visionary behind 216 Creator Studios and the Internet radio station 216 The Net, Kent has made a significant impact in the media industry through his entrepreneurial ventures. Despite his success in business, Kent's true passion lies in coaching basketball and guiding young individuals to become leaders through their competitive experiences on the court.

Join us as we uncover Kent's inspiring journey, from his humble beginnings to his entrepreneurial triumphs, and the profound impact he continues to make in the lives of others.

Email

[email protected]

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-jones-3917b414/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/kent.jones.3114

Music:

Song: Why I'm Here

CD Title: Grandpa's Guitar

Artist: Blake Fisher

Written and Produced by Blake Fisher