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The TwoDads Podcast

Author: OG Pickle & Slick Willy

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Join us as we navigate the journey of scaling our small-town food truck into something bigger! 🚚🔥 We’re entrepreneurs sharing real-life lessons, wins, and struggles while bringing on unique and inspiring guests from all industries. Whether you're a fellow business owner, a dreamer, or just love a good underdog story, this podcast is for you.
48 Episodes
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Don Kemper has spent his life in places where standards matter.He’s the President of Midwest Specialties, a longtime referee, and a former commissioner of the Midwest Athletic Conference — which means he’s made tough calls in real time… while everyone in the building thinks they’re right.In this episode, we don’t do a résumé rundown. We pull the thinking out of Don: what leadership actually is, how you earn opportunity before it shows up, what separates talent from results, and how strong cultures are built (and broken)We also get into the real stuff — staying sharp for the long run, handling stress, and the routines that keep your mind and body in the game.And yes… we’re trying some new things too — including a Community Mailbag moment that somehow turns into a lasagna debate.If you’re trying to level up at work, as a leader, or just as a person — this one’s for you.
Today’s episode is about stepping into responsibility — sometimes while you’re still figuring it out in real time.This week, we’re joined by Alex Schmiesing from Globus Printing — a Minster, Ohio–based, multi-generation company that’s been manufacturing books and printed products for decades, and still doing it at a high level today.Alex and his brother are stepping into a leadership role that was passed down — from his grandfather, to his dad, and now to him. And we get into what that really feels like when you’re inheriting not just a business, but a legacy and expectations that don’t come with an instruction manual.We talk about what it’s like to grow into that seat, why it’s okay not to have every answer right away, and how leadership shifts when you’re also becoming a parent at the same time.If you’ve ever felt the weight of responsibility while you’re still learning — this one’s for you.
New year energy matters — and this episode brings exactly that.We’re joined by Jackie Arling, owner of Brick Haus Salon & Spa, for a conversation that goes way beyond hair. Jackie has built a space where independent, self-employed stylists can grow their own businesses while still being part of something bigger — and that comes with real lessons on leadership, customer service, and standards.In this New Year’s episode, we talk about:How to build the right clientele (not just more clients)Why the people you surround yourself with — customers, partners, teammates — matter more than everManaging expectations in a service industry where emotions run highLetting go of control while still protecting your reputationIf you’re heading into the new year thinking about growth, energy, and who you want around you, this conversation will hit home.🎁 Bonus ask: If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to follow us on Spotify — it helps us grow and bring more conversations like this your way.Happy New Year from the Two Dads Podcast.
With Christmas here and schedules packed, we wanted to drop a shorter bonus episode you can knock out on a drive, during a workout, or while wrapping gifts.In this conversation, we sit down with Brad Smith for a real, low-pressure talk about habits, health, and momentum as we head into the new year. This isn’t about having everything figured out or making some massive overnight change — it’s about thinking differently, starting smaller, and giving yourself permission to experiment instead of waiting for the perfect plan.We talk about:Why most goals fall apart after JanuaryHow to approach habits when life is busy and messyThe idea of permission — not quitting everything, but starting somethingSimple ways to think about health heading into the next yearIf you’re feeling reflective, a little tired, and still hopeful about what’s next — this one’s for you.🔗 Brad Smith — 90 for 90+ LinksWant to follow Brad’s “90 for 90+” journey and what he’s building with AgeLess Live More?Website: https://agelesslivemore.co/Facebook: www.facebook.com/AgeLessLiveMore.coInstagram: www.instagram.com/brad_n_smithContact Brad: brad@agelesslivemore.co🎁 Bonus ask: If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to follow us on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, and follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps us more than you know.Merry Christmas — and let’s roll into the new year with a little more clarity and a lot less pressure
Josh Werling is St. Henry through and through. He grew up there, played on the 2006 state title team, and this year came back as head coach to lead the Redskins to their first state championship since ’06 — snapping Marion Local’s legendary win streak along the way.But this isn’t just a football episode. Josh is also an optometrist at Mercer In-Sight in Celina, a small-town business owner, a husband, a dad, and a man of faith trying to juggle all of it while an entire community is watching. We talk about what it really feels like to carry that kind of weight — family, business, faith, football — and still try to come home as a present, normal human being.If you’re 25–45, trying to balance work, kids, expectations, and your own sanity, this one is for you — even if you don’t care about Cover 3. We get into pressure, doubt, leadership, time, and what this state title run can teach anyone who’s trying to build a life they’re proud of in a small town.
Today on the Two Dads Podcast, we’re joined by Kirk “Kirby” Stucke, the Head PGA Professional at the Mercer County Elks Golf Course and the man steering one of the biggest transformations in local golf history.We get into everything — growing up in Mercer County, becoming a PGA Pro, running a golf course out of a temporary cart-barn clubhouse, balancing family life with 15-hour golf days, and what the brand-new Elks clubhouse will mean for the community.But don’t worry… this isn’t just a golf episode.We dive into the hilarious misconceptions about PGA pros, the grind behind managing a course, weird things Kirk has seen on the fairways, and how youth golf & NIL is growing in our area.Plus: we play our new game show “Is That Really a PGA Rule?”(It turns out golf rules are way more ridiculous than anyone realized.)Whether you’re a golfer, a local, or someone who loves a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is packed with laughs, leadership moments, and Mercer County gold.Click here to watch our Viral VideoSubscribe on Spotify and YouTube to support the show — it helps us grow and bring on more great guests!
Rainer Ziehm has spent the last two decades at the intersection of entertainment, tech, and storytelling — launching studios, directing music videos, building toy worlds, making games, and basically saying “yes” to every weird creative rabbit hole you can imagine. He’s directed and produced music videos tied to artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, J-Lo, Pearl Jam, Bob Marley, and he’s helped craft brand stories for giants like Coca-Cola, Nike, Disney, Sony, Honda, Absolut, McDonald’s, MTV, ESPN, and Oreo. In this episode, we talk about what real creativity looks like in the age of AI: what “AI slop” actually is, how people are over-relying on tools, and where AI is genuinely powerful without replacing your voice. Rainer breaks down how he thinks about craft, risk, career pivots, and staying curious when the whole internet is screaming “optimize.”If you’re a creator, founder, or just someone wondering where all this is headed, this one’s going to hit you in the gut in the best way.Hit follow on Spotify, drop a rating, and send this to the one creative friend who’s both obsessed with AI and secretly terrified of it.
This AMA Special has everything — chaos, confession, small-town drama — but the moment everyone will be talking about is Bill’s major announcement.For the first time publicly, Bill shares that he’s officially stepping away from the food truck. Mitch already knew… but the audience didn’t. And hearing it said out loud hits way harder than expected. It’s honest, emotional, and a huge chapter shift in the TwoDads story.After the announcement, we jump into your AMA questions — business, family, Mercer County nonsense, and some of the wildest hypotheticals you’ve ever thrown at us.We’ve also got a full Mercer County rundown:Craig Stammen’s promotion, the Moose takeover, Open Mic Night at Gilbert’s Station, new restaurants on the rise (and some we’ve lost), plus the eternal debate… are we a Walmart town?And to close the episode, we hit the Local Legend Challenge, our charity game show where every question Bill gets right helps us donate to CALL Ministries for Thanksgiving.Unfiltered. Honest. Small-town to the core.This one feels big.
This week on the Two Dads Podcast, Mitch & Bill sit down with Tyler Schmitt, VP of Core Relationships at VaynerX and longtime right-hand to Gary Vaynerchuk.We dive into Tyler’s journey from the early days at VaynerMedia to leading relationships across one of the most fast-paced media companies in the world. He shares the career lessons, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes insights he learned working directly with Gary Vee.Then we crack open a world a lot of us grew up with — trading cards. From Pokémon to vintage sports legends, Tyler breaks down why the hobby has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar market, what makes certain cards worth thousands (or millions), and how nostalgia, scarcity, and culture are reshaping the industry.Plus, we put Tyler and Bill to the test with two card-themed games — guessing real card values and ranking which collectibles are actually worth more.Whether you’re into business, collectibles, or just great storytelling, this episode shows how passion and career can collide in surprising ways.Big ideas from small towns. Enjoy the show.
Seth Lonsway grew up in Celina, Ohio — a small-town kid from Mercer County who’s now pitching in the San Francisco Giants organization.But this episode isn’t about ERA’s or fastballs. It’s about leaving home, finding yourself, and learning what it really means to carry your roots with you.We talk about growing up in Mercer County, the pride and pressure that come with it, facing loss, and the grind of chasing something bigger than yourself. Seth opens up about the journey, the mindset, and what keeps him grounded no matter how far from home he gets.This one’s real, raw, and full of heart — the story of a hometown kid learning how to make it in a big world.
From Coldwater, Ohio to building one of the most talked-about small-town success stories in the state, Adam Rammel has spent his life proving that where you’re from doesn’t limit where you can go. As the co-founder of Brewfontaine, co-owner of The Syndicate, and VP of Marketing at Small Nation, Adam’s work has turned Bellefontaine into a destination — but what makes his story powerful isn’t the titles, it’s the mindset.In this episode, Mitch and Bill sit down with Adam to talk about the real side of building something meaningful — from navigating fear to staying authentic when everyone’s chasing attention. It’s a deep conversation about purpose, leadership, and how to recharge when you’re carrying more than most people realize.This one’s not just about business. It’s about believing in where you’re from, betting on yourself, and finding peace in what you build.
From cross-legged gaming nights on the carpet to billion-dollar stages — gaming didn’t just grow, it built community.This week, we sit down with Darren Glover, Senior VP of Gaming at VaynerSports (Gary Vee’s crew), to unpack how gaming evolved from living-room fun into one of the most powerful connection points in culture for ANY brand.Darren shares how creators, brands, and small businesses can all build loyal audiences by leading with authenticity, storytelling, and trust. We talk childhood roots, Twitch’s rise, mobile gaming, and the universal lesson behind it all — community beats everything.Whether you’re streaming online or serving food from a truck like us, this one’s about building something real — one fan, one follower, one friend at a time.
Before the Pro Bowl. Before the contract. Before the Cleveland Browns ever called his name — Joe Schobert was just a small-town kid from Wisconsin who showed up every single day and didn’t care who was watching.From walk-on to captain, from overlooked to NFL Pro Bowler, Joe’s story is pure grit. We talk surviving the Browns, the mental side of the game, what it’s really like learning NFL defenses, and how you keep showing up when everything around you’s chaos.It’s funny, honest, and packed with those hard-earned lessons every guy can relate to — work, pride, identity, and figuring out who you are when the pads come off.
From small-town Ohio to the cage, Jake Lee’s story isn’t just about wins and losses — it’s about purpose, pain, and the fight to become someone greater.With a 3-4 amateur record and a relentless drive to keep swinging, Jake opens up about his journey — from growing up in Wapakoneta to finding his way into MMA, the grind of training, and the mental battle that comes with stepping into the cage.We talk about what it really means to chase this lifestyle, the sacrifices behind the scenes, the highs and lows that come with it, and the reality of fighting in front of your hometown crowd.And on October 25th, Jake steps back into the ring at the Shipyard Showdown inside the Shipyard Sports & Events Center — fighting not just for a win, but for pride, redemption, and home.🎙 Plus, we lighten things up with a new segment: Who Would You Punch in the Face? — where Jake dishes out who (or what) deserves a friendly jab.The Life of a Fighter. The Mind of a Man. The Heart of a General.
In this episode, we sit down (digitally!) with baseball creator and podcast host Jake Savicki — the guy who’s built a brand by doing what he loves and not overthinking it. From his viral baseball commentary and Hold My Ball podcast to working with MLB stars, Jake has mastered the art of creating without fear — posting what feels right, staying authentic, and trusting his instincts.We talk about how he found his lane in baseball media, his rise through social platforms, and what it really takes to build something meaningful when you stop chasing perfection. It’s about passion, persistence, and the freedom that comes from not giving a frick what anyone thinks.This was our first-ever digital interview, and it shows us just how far we’ve come — and how much room there still is to grow. Jake had to hop off to go live mid-show, so we kept it raw, fast-paced, and real — the way good conversations should be.Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a behind-the-scenes look at a creator who’s redefining what it means to build your own path in the game.
Episode 33 of the TwoDads Podcast is one you don’t want to miss.We sit down with Mayor Jeff Hazel of Celina, Ohio — a man who’s been leading since 2012 through some of the town’s biggest challenges: toxic algal blooms on Grand Lake St. Marys, a heroin epidemic that shook families, and even an EF3 tornado. At the same time, he’s been driving upgrades to the lakefront, schools, and utilities — all while running Hazelnut Coffeehouse with his wife.This isn’t a political interview. It’s about what it actually feels like to carry a community through crisis, the emotional toll of public service, and the entrepreneurial courage it takes to risk failure and keep going. Jeff talks about what it’s like being the guy who sees people in the grocery store, who’s not always the most popular, but still has to make tough calls for everyone’s future.We also lighten things up with our signature TwoDads game show — Mayor or Malarkey — where Jeff and Bill battle it out over real vs. ridiculous mayor duties.By the end, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for small-town leadership, and the very real people behind it.👉 Subscribe, drop a comment, and let us know: could YOU handle being Mayor for a Day?
This week on the TwoDads Podcast, we sit down with Molli Schleucher and Megan Peters — the heartbeat behind The HERD, a Celina-based nonprofit that has already raised over $319,000 to support CHD Warriors and critically ill children.Molli shares the story of her son Cash’s congenital heart disease diagnosis, what CHD really means for families, and how their fight turned into a movement that’s now protecting little hearts and advancing big research. We dive into hospital life, community support, and what it means to keep showing up when the odds feel impossible.We also lighten things up with a TwoDads-style lightning round game show — where every “correct” answer means more money donated straight to The HERD. Expect laughs, heart, and maybe a little chaos.Whether you know CHD personally or not, this episode will leave you understanding why it matters, why this community shows up, and how you can make a difference.To make your own impact visit www.theherdchd.com for more information!
In this episode, Isaac Buschur opens up about what it really takes to chase country music dreams while working a day job, how social media and streaming can make or break an artist, and what it means to be nominated for Song of the Year at the Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry. On a whim—while bedridden and grieving the loss of his child—Isaac submitted his music, never expecting it to lead anywhere. That moment turned into one of the biggest honors of his career.From late nights with a guitar to long shifts as a nurse, the North Star, Ohio native has lived the starving artist life. He takes us from writing “stupid songs” as a kid, to producing music in Nashville, to balancing marriage, fatherhood, health scares, and gigs while keeping the dream alive.We talk about faith, fear, family, and finding breakthroughs—and then Isaac faces off with Bill in our new game show: Boots or Baloney: Is That a Real Country Lyric?🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube.
Step right up, wrestling fans and Mercer County faithful — because Marion “The Handlebarred Haberdasher” Fontaine is in the building!In this episode we twirl the mustache and pull back the curtain on wrestling. From the thrill of independent promotions to the pain of injuries, Fontaine takes us inside the ropes and beyond the spotlight — showing how wrestling is part sport, part theater, and pure curiosity.We talk k-fabe, character building, crowd work, and the difference between a signature move and a finisher. And beyond competing, Marion has stepped outside the ring to own and produce Olde Wrestling, his throwback-style promotion that keeps the spirit of wrestling alive in a whole new way.And then… it’s game time. 🎮 Our new game show Finisher or Foolery?! puts Bill and Marion to the test: can you spot the real moves from the ones we made up? Expect chaos, laughs, and maybe a Mercer County–style Gutbuster or two.👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
This episode takes you behind the scenes of a whirlwind few weeks for the TwoDads crew. We talk about running three county fairs in two weeks, the chaos of balancing money vs. leadership, and how the team is holding up after one of the busiest stretches yet.We celebrate hitting 10,000 Spotify views, reflect on some of our favorite guest moments — from MLB pitcher Craig Stammen to Casa Rodriguez to local legends like Kerry Beamer — and talk about what’s next for the podcast, the food truck, and new ventures on the horizon.There’s also plenty of local flavor: Little League collaborations with parish teams, the Pizza Hut vs. Captain D’s rivalry, and how we can make an impact! Plus, we dive into listener feedback, future goals, and why this winter might be the biggest season yet for TwoDads content.Finally, we pay tribute to the late Gary Burbank — the Robin Williams of radio — by bringing back his iconic Sports or Consequences game, TwoDads-style. It’s trivia, chaos, and community storytelling all wrapped into one unforgettable episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.📺 Watch the full episode on ⁠YouTube⁠. 👉 Follow us on socials: @twodadspod | @twodadsfood
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