The Grit to Growth Podcast

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi welcomes two powerhouse women in the field of functional medicine: Dr. Cheryl Bones and Dr. Jessica Pearson, co-founders of Prairie Roots Health. From their unexpected connection in South Dakota to launching a thriving clinic together, their journey is anything but ordinary. Dr. Pearson shares her shift from a high-intensity military career as an OBGYN to embracing holistic health after COVID sparked a personal transformation. Dr. Bones reflects on her path from chiropractor to functional medicine advocate and business owner, driven by her passion to uncover the root causes behind health challenges. Together, they explain how their clinic focuses on individualized, root-cause care—helping patients optimize health through nutrition, stress management, gut health, lifestyle changes, and personalized plans, not just prescriptions. They also share insights on balancing science and lifestyle, the power of collaboration, and why they don’t want clients to need them forever.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Hope Norland, Operating Director at Cornerstone Caregiving, to talk about the power of support, dignity, and proactive care in the lives of seniors and their families. Hope shares her personal journey—from being an English major to becoming a leader in home-based senior care. She opens up about her experience in hospice care, the emotional rewards of helping families reclaim time with their loved ones, and the importance of shifting from reactive caregiving to intentional care planning. They explore: The emotional and practical toll caregiving can have on families What “activities of daily living” really mean in a home care context The qualities that define a great caregiver Why families should start care conversations early How Cornerstone Caregiving supports clients in staying home safely and with dignity --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

From a garage sale Stephen King novel to publishing alongside Stephen King himself, Doug Murano’s creative journey is a masterclass in perseverance, passion, and pivoting when life deals you a “bad hand.” Doug opens up about his South Dakota roots, how a pandemic-era closet became his first home office, and the early sparks that led him to editing, writing, and eventually founding Bad Hand Books. He shares what it’s really like behind the scenes in indie publishing, how a moment of personal crisis sparked his company’s powerful name, and why horror has always been his home genre. Key Takeaways: Why Doug abandoned law school just 9 days before it began How he pivoted during a layoff with four young kids to create a business The story behind “Bad Hand Books” and what it stands for His dream-come-true project collaborating with Stephen King --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Abigail Polzin—ER doc, former AirMed Medical Director, and current program director for the newly launched emergency medicine residency at USD Sanford. They talk about her journey from Utah to Wisconsin to South Dakota, her time in the air as a flight medicine leader, and what it takes to build an innovative training program in a part of the country that has long needed it. You'll hear about: Why Abigail fell in love with emergency medicine How her team handled 14,000+ flight patients over a decade What makes South Dakota’s new residency program so impactful How rural healthcare differs from big-city medicine The emotional toll—and reward—of ER work What aspiring ER docs need to succeed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What happens when a renowned atmospheric scientist turns his attention to cattle ranching? In this episode, Dr. Patrick Zimmerman—founder and CEO of C-Lock Inc.—shares how his journey from environmental research to agricultural innovation is helping reshape animal agriculture around the globe. From pioneering emissions monitoring systems to revolutionizing how ranchers measure efficiency, Dr. Zimmerman opens up about the power of data, science, and respect for ruminant animals. He discusses how early work at the National Center for Atmospheric Research led him to develop technology that bridges biosphere-atmosphere science with real-world applications for farmers and ranchers. Listeners will hear the fascinating story of how his company, C-Lock, evolved from a carbon accounting concept into a global leader in precision livestock monitoring—with clients across 50 countries and counting. Whether you’re a rancher, a scientist, or someone curious about sustainable agriculture, this episode unpacks big ideas in an approachable and practical way.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.  

In this episode, host Levi Te Slaa welcomes Carrie Gerlach, founder and owner of Black Hills Adventure Tours. Carrie shares her inspiring story of starting the business with a modest loan, a few kayaks, and a big dream. Now celebrating 20 successful seasons, she’s grown the company into a thriving adventure and tourism service offering customized experiences across the Black Hills and beyond. Carrie opens up about her early years, how she transitioned from hospitality into entrepreneurship, and what it took to build a seasonal business from the ground up. She also talks about balancing motherhood, creative problem-solving, expanding her offerings with women's travel experiences around the world, and the importance of partnerships in delivering world-class guest experiences. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a lover of the outdoors, or someone curious about sustainable business growth, this episode is packed with grit, vision, and wisdom.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

From dreaming of designing Corvettes to leading a cutting-edge 3D printing company, Shon Anderson’s path is anything but traditional. In this episode, Shon unpacks his journey from small-town South Dakota to CEO of B9Creations and shares what really makes technology stick in today’s business world. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why understanding your gifts might take a great boss—not just time How technical skills and people skills can collide to create innovation The three pillars every company needs to consider for successful tech implementation Why B9Creations’ approach to additive manufacturing is changing how businesses adopt technology The surprising role of mentorship, mindset, and soft skills in tech success Whether you're a startup founder, a leader at a growing company, or early in your career, this conversation will give you tools to better align your talents with your goals—and to think differently about how people and tech can grow together.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What happens when an 83-year-old mathematician, entrepreneur, and lifelong problem-solver builds an AI platform to separate fact from fiction online? In this episode, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Brian Dempsey—a seasoned consultant, company founder, and the mind behind hallucinations.cloud—to talk about truth, tech, and the art of knowing what (and who) to trust in the digital age. Brian shares his fascinating journey from a successful actuarial career to building and selling his own firm, and now to coding and innovating in the AI space. You’ll hear how he’s applying the "wisdom of the crowd" through technology to combat misinformation and why he believes AI is a tool anyone—even those who fear math—can use to solve real-world problems.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

From the bleachers to the boardroom — Travis Morgan’s journey is a story of grit, growth, and Midwest charm. In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Travis to unpack his path from small-town Nebraska to CEO of the Sioux City Musketeers. Along the way, Travis shares lessons learned in TV sports, marketing, the symphony, and minor league hockey — including why betting on yourself and taking a leap can change your life. Travis opens up about: How a summer internship launched his career in broadcasting Moving from the newsroom to marketing a casino — and what business lessons he learned Reinventing how the community saw the Sioux City Symphony Leading the Musketeers through one of the most successful runs in team history What it means to lead with heart, build strong relationships, and “reverse the curse” (seriously!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What happens when you mix neuroscience, law, and a dinner table conversation? You get Aaron Emerson’s journey from medical research to revolutionizing hospital care. In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Aaron, CEO of SEGA Innovations, to uncover how he's turning pain points in hospitals into life-saving innovations. From discussing his pivot from academia to entrepreneurship, to explaining how SEGA’s groundbreaking air-lateral transfer devices are reducing patient and staff injuries, Aaron shares a behind-the-scenes look at medical product innovation. You’ll hear how SEGA balances accessibility, affordability, and cutting-edge tech to meet real hospital needs — all while staying rooted in Sioux Falls. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in innovation, this episode delivers insights on turning practical problems into powerful business opportunities.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Vishnu Nellore, a civil engineer for the City of Sioux Falls, to talk about his journey from coastal India to the snowy plains of South Dakota—and how he’s now influencing the growth and infrastructure of one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Vishnu shares how he came to study at South Dakota State University, adjusted to life in the U.S., and discovered a passion for engineering that’s all about people as much as it is about projects. You’ll hear about: The cultural and climate shock of moving from India to South Dakota What drew Vishnu to SDSU and civil engineering His experience adapting to a new language, new customs, and the Imperial system How public input shapes large-scale infrastructure projects in Sioux Falls An exciting new interchange project that will connect growing parts of the city The importance of leadership and public trust in civic engineering Why Vishnu believes Sioux Falls is a great place to live and work ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Levi Te Slaa sits down with Joanna Prewitt, a licensed therapist and the founder of Enso Mental Health in Spearfish, South Dakota. Joanna opens up about her path from working in social services to launching her own mental health practice. Inspired by personal experience and a desire to “help the helpers,” JoAnna built Enso with a vision to create a supportive, sustainable environment for therapists and clients alike. In this heartfelt conversation, Joanna reflects on how her parents’ divorce sparked a lifelong dedication to therapy, why she left nonprofit work, and how she scaled Enso Mental Health from a solo practice into a 9-clinician team in just a few years. She also shares how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped mental healthcare delivery and her future plans to expand into Rapid City.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, a small-town Iowa native whose early experiences with congenital heart disease inspired a lifelong pursuit of care and leadership. Now the Chief Medical Officer of Sanford Health, Dr. Cauwels discusses how he went from hospital medicine to helping oversee quality, safety, and graduate medical education across a vast healthcare system. He shares insights on leading through growth, the importance of communication in large organizations, and the lasting lessons from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Listeners will also hear his advice for emerging leaders, the value of “just showing up,” and how Sanford continues to support healthcare careers from the ground up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Ryan Junek, a fourth-generation business owner and the force behind Junek's Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Spearfish, South Dakota. From his family's migration during the Great Depression to running one of the oldest car dealerships in the region, Ryan shares a story rooted in resilience, adaptation, and legacy. Tune in to hear how a small gas station evolved into a thriving car dealership, how Ryan transitioned from running a car rental business at the Rapid City Airport to taking the reins of the family enterprise, and why staying at the forefront of technology and community involvement has been crucial to his success. This episode dives deep into the challenges and benefits of multi-generational businesses, Ryan’s advocacy work through the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association, and how he’s keeping the Junek legacy alive—brick by cinder block, one generation at a time.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Connor Hallstrom, founder of SoDak Industries, a CNC machining business in Clark, South Dakota. Conner shares the story behind starting his company while still working full-time and raising twin boys with his wife—all driven by a vision of generational legacy and hands-on craftsmanship. Conner breaks down the nuts and bolts of what a modern machine shop does, why machinists are in demand, and how robotics and software are shaping the future of manufacturing. He opens up about what it takes to build a family-integrated business, how he’s mentoring the next generation of machinists, and the lessons his young boys have taught him about patience and purpose. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a parent, or just curious about the world of precision machining, this episode will give you insight, inspiration, and a dose of reality from someone living the grit-to-growth journey.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Bhaskar Purushottam, founder of Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates and a leading cardiologist based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Dr. Purushottam shares his inspiring journey from Bangalore, India to becoming a specialist with training at some of the world’s top medical institutions, including Mount Sinai and William Beaumont. They dive deep into the critical topic of vascular care access in underserved regions. Dr. Purushottam explains why he chose to launch a private clinic focused on timely, life-saving treatment for heart and vascular diseases—especially peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a leading cause of limb amputation in the U.S.     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this insightful episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi sits down with John Clapper, a former pastor turned tech leader, who now serves as the VP of Technology at Verdia and co-founder of Sendachi. John shares his winding journey from ministry to mastering data and analytics, offering real-world wisdom on solving business chaos with the power of code and leadership. John dives into how he transitioned from Excel spreadsheets to enterprise-level data systems, the pivotal role of AI in modernizing credit union technology, and the value of rural innovation. You’ll hear how he applies a unique "reverse engineering your life" mindset to both his career and leadership path. If you've ever wondered how someone can go from a call center to speaking at SAP conferences—or how tech can transform rural economies—this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Levi sits down with Sarah Vicunia, founder of Top Talent Connections, a new recruiting agency based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sarah shares her journey from a successful career in corporate HR to an unexpected job loss that led her to launch her own business. She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of losing a job, the courage it takes to pivot, and the drive to create meaningful connections between companies and candidates. Sarah dives deep into how small businesses struggle with hiring, and how her firm is uniquely positioned to bring "big company" recruiting experience to smaller teams that need it most. Her story is honest, inspiring, and a great listen for anyone considering entrepreneurship or navigating a career transition. What You'll Learn: The inspiration and story behind Top Talent Connections How Sarah turned job loss into a business opportunity Why smaller companies benefit from outsourced recruiting The emotional highs and lows of starting a business Sarah’s “triple win” recruiting philosophy The power of staying connected and building community     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Shaine Anderson, a dynamic entrepreneur from Aberdeen, South Dakota, who’s thriving in not one—but two—distinct industries. As the founder of Anderson Electric and Wired Coffee Company, Shaine shares how he transitioned from managing a retail floor to wiring homes and troubleshooting industrial systems, all while brewing up some of the region's best coffee. Shaine talks candidly about his journey into the trades, discovering his family's multi-generational legacy in electrical work, and how mentorship and apprenticeships shaped his path. He dives into the challenges of running two businesses, balancing leadership and hands-on work, and why community service and communication are at the heart of everything he does.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this energizing conversation, Vaney Hariri shares his journey from Buffalo, NY, to becoming a culture architect in Sioux Falls, SD. Co-founder of Think3D Solutions, Vaney talks with Levi about building company culture on purpose, not by accident. You’ll hear why culture happens whether you plan for it or not—and why investing in it matters. Vaney shares how Think3D helps organizations develop leadership at all levels, and why the best cultures are built by design. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.