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Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh
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Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

Author: Brendan Walsh

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Brendan Walsh is the host of the Enthusiastic Life podcast - where he interviews friends, colleagues, and all around interesting people to learn about their origin stories, what's made them successful, what lessons they've learned throughout life and most importantly what's bringing them joy

24 Episodes
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In Episode 24, Brendan sits down with longtime friend Dr. Seth Krupp, Vice Chair of Operations for the Emergency Department at Henry Ford Health. Seth shares the story of how he found his calling in emergency medicine, what residency was really like inside one of the country’s most respected training programs, and how he ultimately made his way to Detroit. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the massive work underway to design and build a brand-new emergency department and hospital, ope...
In Episode 23, Brendan sits down with Adam Steiner, a performer whose career has taken him from musical theatre stages across the country and around the world — including national and international tours of Cats, Gypsy, and Shrek the Musical. Adam shares what life is really like on the road, the highs and challenges of performing night after night, and how his years in theatre shaped his identity. Today, Adam channels his creativity into running Steiner Merchandise — known for their “Good Tim...
In Episode 22, Brendan sits down with Lorna Utley, a leader whose career spans more than two decades at General Motors—including serving as Head of HR during some of the company’s most pivotal years. Lorna shares what it was like to work at one of the largest companies in the world during its heyday, where she helped shape workplace culture, policy, and people strategy for hundreds of thousands of employees. She also reflects on her decade of leadership at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detro...
In Episode 21, Brendan sits down with a familiar face — Ryan Dewan, co-founder of Wave Media, creative director, storyteller, dad, golfer, and the producer behind The Enthusiastic Life Podcast. With a last-minute cancellation, Ryan stepped in as today’s guest, opening the door for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on his journey and the heart behind Wave Media. Ryan shares how he went from working construction to radically changing direction and building a creative agency from the gr...
In Episode 20, Brendan sits down with Matt Dery, a 30-year sports broadcasting veteran and one of the most recognizable voices in Detroit sports media. Matt shares stories from his decades of play-by-play, reporting, and interviewing — including behind-the-scenes moments with Detroit sports legends and the lessons he learned living inside the world of professional sports. From radio days to TV hits to hosting Locked On Lions and the Dery Brothers GuardiansCast, Matt walks through a career sha...
In Episode 19, Brendan sits down with Lulu Fall, a multidisciplinary artist whose long, winding path to Broadway is as inspiring as her work itself. Lulu opens up about her deep love for music, theater, and the arts — and the perseverance required to navigate setbacks, self-discovery, and the grind of a creative career. Today, Lulu continues her artistic work while serving as the Executive Director of Cabaret 313, where she helps elevate Detroit’s performing arts community and create platform...
In Episode 18, Brendan sits down with Sarah Zigila, VP of People Development at Orbis Holding Group, Vistage Speaker, Zumba instructor, and the force behind a leadership movement called HEART. Sarah’s work blends research from the HeartMath Institute with practical leadership development—showing how our emotional state doesn’t stay inside us, but radiates outward and shapes the people around us. She shares how leaders can regulate their own energy, create healthier environments, and lead with...
In this episode, Brendan sits down with Mary Zatina, General Manager of WDET 101.9FM and one of Detroit’s most respected leaders in communications, nonprofit work, and community advocacy. Mary has spent her career linking message strategy to reputation, public service, and meaningful change — whether guiding turnaround efforts, building high-performing teams, or launching major campaigns with limited resources. She shares her journey across journalism, government, public radio, and nonprofit ...
Episode 16 — Matt Rossetti: Designing Stadiums, Cities & the Architecture of Fun In this episode, Brendan sits down with Matt Rossetti, President & CEO of ROSSETTI and the “Chief Architect of Serious Fun.” Matt shares how he designs world-class stadiums, entertainment districts, and urban spaces by blending rigorous strategy with a philosophy centered on joy, human connection, and meaningful experiences. He breaks down how ROSSETTI’s data-driven Return on Design process uncovers a pr...
Episode 15 — Ashley Davidson: Storytelling, Reinvention & Building Community Through Creativity In this episode, Brendan sits down with Ashley Davidson, a creative strategist and storyteller whose career has taken her from the world’s biggest fashion blog to luxury brands, hospitality, and home restoration. Ashley reflects on her early days at Fashionista, her work with Chanel in France, and the storytelling campaigns she helped shape for brands like Lincoln Motor Company as they reimagi...
I can confidently say I laughed more during this episode than any other on The Enthusiastic Life Podcast. It was an absolute blast sitting down with Brian Katz of Umbrelic and Anchor Bay Entertainment. We had a wide-ranging, fun, and thoughtful conversation that covered everything from career paths to pop culture debates. In this episode, we talk about: 🎬 How Brian got his start in the film industry 🤝 Why networking—and who you know—matters more than ever 🖖 Star Trek vs. Star Wars 👨‍👧 Fathe...
In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Claude Molinari, President & CEO of Visit Detroit, one of the most influential voices shaping the region’s growth, reputation, and momentum. Claude shares an inside look at Detroit’s continued resurgence — from major events and tourism strategy to economic impact and regional collaboration. He discusses what it takes to market an entire city, how Detroit competes on a national stage, and why he believes the region’s...
In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Kerry Duggan, a nationally recognized climate & energy expert, CEO of SustainabiliD, and senior advisor to leaders across government, tech, and industry. Kerry has worked at the highest levels — including advising the Obama-Biden Administration — and now helps organizations develop real solutions for climate, infrastructure, and resilience. Kerry brings a powerful blend of urgency, optimism, and practicality. She sha...
In Episode 11, we sit down with Peter VanDyke, the visionary founder and CEO of VVK Marketing & PR. Based in Detroit and already making waves, Peter shares how he built a modern communications agency that blends PR, video, and brand storytelling — and why he says “yes” to opportunity until it demands otherwise. From scaling a team in just a few years, acquiring national-level expertise, and redefining what executive visibility means today, Peter takes us behind the scenes of an agency on ...
In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Armond Rashad Harris — a creator, entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader whose work spans photography, filmmaking, fitness, and youth development. Armond is the owner of JABs Gym in Eastern Market and the founder of a growing mentorship and leadership community dedicated to empowering Detroit’s young people through guidance, exposure, and opportunity. Armond shares his powerful story of transformation — from discove...
In this episode, Brendan sits down with Rob Barr, Director of Athletics & Facilities at the Detroit Athletic Club and founder of The Performance Mindset, a coaching program helping people unlock their highest potential. Rob shares his passion for growth mindset, abundant thinking, and what it takes to lead within an organization that consistently performs at the highest level. From elevating the DAC’s athletic culture to guiding individuals in their personal fitness and wellness journeys...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sean Cassleman, founder of Mission Metabolic Health, to talk about the intersection of fitness, medicine, and longevity. Dr. Cassleman grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, played football at John Carroll University, and went on to study medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. With over a decade of experience practicing Internal Medicine in Detroit and Saint Clair Shores, he’s seen firsthand how obesity, muscle loss, and metab...
In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Burris, an Intellectual Property Attorney, pilot, and founder of Burris Law. Kelly’s journey spans from the ice rink at Western Michigan University, where she celebrated a National Championship win, to the skies as a licensed pilot, and now to the courtroom protecting innovation and invention. We talk about her love for aeronautical engineering, the discipline it takes to fly, and how that same mindset translates into building a successful law practice....
EPISODE 05 — Taking the Leap with Lori McColl: Entrepreneurship, AI, and Belief in Yourself In this powerful conversation, Brendan Walsh sits down with Detroit-based entrepreneur Lori McColl, a visionary leader helping companies unlock growth through AI agents and automation. Lori opens up about the scary but rewarding journey of stepping out on your own, navigating the risks of entrepreneurship, and learning to bet on yourself. From their shared experiences at the Detroit Athletic Club to t...
ELP EPISODE 5 — From Hockey Rinks to 100-Mile Races with Nick Gibbs In this episode, Brendan Walsh sits down with Nick Gibbs—a third-generation leader at his family’s machinery company and an unstoppable endurance athlete who made a wild leap from competitive hockey to the world of ultramarathons. We explore: 🔥 How Nick went from lacing up skates to running 100+ mile races 🏔️ What it takes to train for a 50-, 100-, and now 150-mile ultramarathon 🏢 The lessons he’s learned working in a multig...
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