Get in Touch with Dan by Texting Now

I invited Kansas City entrepreneur and author Justin Ricklefs to trace his road trip from his years behind the scenes with college football and The Kansas City Chiefs to building Guild Collective, a human-first branding agency that helps companies lead with Human Storytelling.

We talk about the moments that shape a leader: the family-of-seven road trip to Florida that forged patience and humor, the long days in pro sports that reveal the hidden machinery behind game day, and the quiet courage it takes to leave a marquee job. Justin shares the core of his new book, Give a Damn: The Catalyst for Caring Companies, and walks us through the four C’s that turn care into a competitive advantage—curiosity, compassion, clarity, and consistency. This isn’t theory for theory’s sake; it’s the kind of practical leadership that aligns teams, earns trust, and makes brands memorable.

We also break down why the best marketing feels like a story you want to finish. From tear-tinged Super Bowl ads to everyday posts, the work that lasts chooses meaning over noise and love over fear. That lens extends beyond the office. Justin explains how a silent retreat reframed his priorities—faith, wellness, marriage, family, work, friends—into a simple spine: an ordered life is a good life. The result is less frantic pushing and more steady receiving, including a vision for a family gathering place in the mountains or by the ocean.

If you’re building a brand, leading a team, or just trying to live with more intention, this road trip offers a map. Press play, share it with a friend who could use a nudge toward clarity, and leave a quick review to tell us what part moved you most.

You can find Justin's book "Give a Damn" at Give a Damn: The Catalyst for Caring Companies: Ricklefs, Justin: 9798245800219: Amazon.com: Books

More information about Guild Collective at Guild Collective | Marketing Agency Kansas City