Torch Talk

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Joe Warkall, an entrepreneur, sales leader, and founder of R3 Restoration, to talk about building something from the ground up, even when you’re scared.

From walking away from law school to chasing storms across the country, Joe’s journey is anything but linear. He opens up about starting a business without all the answers, wearing every hat in the early days, and choosing impact over ease. The conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship. It’s about mindset, resilience, and leading with purpose even when the path feels uncertain.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • Why “doing it scared” is better than waiting until you're ready
 • What Joe learned from launching R3 Restoration while leading sales at Laver Homes
 • How faith, mentors, and community shape his leadership
 • The systems that keep him grounded and the ones he’s still building
 • Why slow, sustainable growth beats the shortcut every time

This is an honest, energizing conversation for anyone building something new, leading through change, or wondering if it’s time to make the leap.

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Linda Allison, founder of Allison Management Solutions, to talk about what it really takes to lead well. With decades of experience, from shop floors to boardrooms, Linda brings a blend of no-nonsense wisdom and heartfelt encouragement to leaders navigating growth, conflict, and change.

From her early days in manufacturing to her current role as a leadership coach and strategist, Linda shares why knowing what to do isn’t enough and how great leaders follow through.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • The two sides of leadership: the “Be” and the “Do”
 • Why resistance to change is rarely about skill
 • How to move from scattered effort to focused execution
 • The importance of seeing leadership as a craft, not just a role
 • What happens when you align your business with your values

This episode is packed with real talk for leaders who are done winging it and ready to build structure, trust, and sustainable growth into their business.

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Jordan Mullet. He is a sales strategist, team builder, and coach to business leaders and sales professionals across the region. Jordan shares his honest journey from door-to-door failure to respected sales trainer, and why sales success is more about mindset, behavior, and self-awareness than flashy tactics.

Drawing from over a decade of experience with Sandler and a lifetime inside a family business, Jordan talks candidly about what it takes to grow as a salesperson, why autonomy is harder than it looks, and how to push yourself without burning out.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • Why most salespeople fail (and how to break through the plateau)
 • How to measure the real effort you’re putting in
• The “three-part” formula behind every high-performing sales team
• What it looks like to lead yourself and coach others in the process
• How to journal like a salesperson (yes, really)

This is a conversation packed with clarity, candor, and real-world insight for anyone who leads, sells, or wants to grow without coasting.

In this special roundtable episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with the Fierce Creative Solutions social media team for a candid behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a brand online in 2025. From TikTok algorithms and platform myths to content that flops and strategies that scale, this is the honest, unfiltered social media conversation most agencies won’t have in public.

Get ready to hear directly from the team creating daily content for local and regional businesses, and what they really wish clients understood about growth, engagement, and staying relevant.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • What makes content succeed or fall flat
 • Why follower count isn’t everything (and what matters more)
 • The rising role of employees as influencers
 • How Gen Z actually evaluates a business online
 • What every business owner needs to know before hiring a social team

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by social trends, algorithm changes, or the pressure to post, know it’s not just you. This episode breaks it all down with humor, honesty, and a few hot takes.

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Nick Pickrel, founder of Kingsway Services, to talk about what it means to build a business where faith, grit, and leadership intersect.

From mowing lawns at age 11 to launching a values-driven asphalt company in the middle of a pandemic, Nick shares a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship, like what he’s learned, what he’s let go of, and how he’s built a culture that refuses to compromise on integrity.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • How Kingsway was born from both market opportunity and mission
 • Why EOS became the framework Nick needed to scale sustainably
 • What happens when you remove revenue as the end goal
 • How to lead from your faith without preaching a word
 • The hard (and holy) work of separating identity from business success

This episode is packed with honesty, humility, and practical lessons for anyone building something with a bigger purpose in mind.

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Chris and Deanna from Branches Consulting Co. They are two seasoned leaders who are helping businesses grow with clarity, culture, and conviction.

Chris and Deanna offer a fresh perspective on what it means to lead with purpose, from decades of experience in healthcare and nonprofit leadership to their current work equipping businesses through Branches Consulting and Branches Worldwide. They talk candidly about creating intentional culture, applying faith in the workplace, and how to pursue both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • The difference between “balance” and “blend” in leadership and life
 • Why culture is more than values and how to actually build it
 • How faith-driven leadership shows up in everyday actions
 • The connection between local coaching and global impact
 • What’s next for Branches and why Summit 2025 matters

This episode will equip you to lead with purpose, whether you’re building a business, shaping culture, or balancing leadership with life at home.

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey from Fierce Creative Solutions sits down with Matt Shanlian, local business leader, legacy builder, and proud face of a thriving family-run mortgage company. From his first job wrangling go-karts to leading CCM through industry shifts and personal growth, Matt shares what it really takes to grow a business built on trust, relationships, and resilience.

Expect real talk on family dynamics at work, the challenge of holding people accountable when you care deeply, and what it means to lead with both heart and strategy. Matt also highlights two local nonprofits that are making a meaningful difference in the community: Ohuddle and Forget Me Not Baskets.

If you're leading a team, running a business, or building something with people you love, this episode offers a relatable, insightful look behind the scenes.

In this very first episode of Torch Talk, host Lindsey from Fierce Creative Solutions introduces the podcast and what it’s all about. Torch Talk is your new go-to source for honest conversations with local business leaders who are growing with grit, purpose, and bold ideas.

Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or leader looking for connection and practical tools, this podcast is for you. Tune in to learn what to expect from future episodes, when new episodes drop, and how to follow along.

New episodes every Tuesday. You won’t want to miss this.