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Fearless Founders podcast is an audio adaptation of a live experience hosted for CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program participants across the nation each year. CEO is an entrepreneurship program provided by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship that is transforming young people across the nation into entrepreneurial thinkers. A part of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s ever-present mission to develop the next generation of thought leaders and innovators, this series was born out of a passion to share valuable life stories with these high school entrepreneurs and invite them to build their network on a national level. In this podcast, you’ll hear a collection of special conversations with highly, successful visionary leaders - from Olympic champions to New York Times bestselling authors - that touch on how they got there, the failures they overcame, and what they learned along the way. To learn more about the CEO Program, visit DiscoverCEO.com.
37 Episodes
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In this inspiring first episode, we sit down with Blaine Fuhs, CEO Alumni, author, speaker, and creator, to explore what true success really looks like. Drawing from his influential book, Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose, Blaine challenges the belief that influence equals identity. Instead, he reminds us that titles, followers, or recognition don’t measure real purpose—it’s discovered in how we serve, lead, and love in everyday life. Through his work as a writer, speaker, and storyteller, Bl...
Today’s episode features Jason Thomas, Director of Design and Product Development at RiverSmith USA. Jason is more than a designer—he’s an innovator, a creative force, and a true adventurer. With nearly two decades of experience, Jason has shaped some of the country's most cutting-edge outdoor products and climbing environments. He firmly believes that design should be both beautiful and functional—and that the outdoors has the power to connect and inspire us. In this conversation, we explore...
This episode is something special—a panel featuring three incredible CEO alumni who’ve taken their senior-year startup ideas and turned them into thriving businesses. You’ll hear from: Ben Flath, founder of Excursions Automotive in Indiana, Ashley Leman, founder of Revive Coffee & Roasting Company in Illinois, And Alex Eckhardt, owner of Q-Town Kicks sneaker store in Quincy, IL. Each of them shares what it was like starting a business in high school, what they’ve learned through rea...
In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Brent Oberink, co-owner of Laner Corp and host of The Better Contractor podcast. Brent shared his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a nationwide maintenance contracting business for the oil and gas industry in 2007 to growing it into a 50+ employee company with multiple locations. He also discussed creating a podcast to support contractors and entrepreneurs while building a vertically integrated brand. Tune in to hear Brent’s insi...
In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Katie Clark, founder of Katie Clark Co., a fine jewelry business based in Houston, Texas. Katie shared her journey from working in corporate America at a jewelry store to leveraging her TikTok platform to launch her own custom jewelry company in 2023. She now balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and content creation while building her growing brand. Tune in to hear Katie discuss the lessons she’s learned about time management, prici...
Today, we’re joined by the fearless and inspiring Casey Capuano Sarai—co-founder of CAKES Body- the company completely redefining the traditional bra industry. With just $10,000 and no investor backing, Casey and her sister launched CAKES Body in 2022—and what started as a small product innovation quickly turned into a viral sensation and a $100 million valuation. We’ll talk about what it’s like to leave behind a decade in corporate America, how to turn adversity into innovation, and what it ...
In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Masterlasco, founder of Bad Boy Boating — a digital marketing agency laser-focused on the marine industry. Anthony’s entrepreneurial story started not with a business degree or a grand plan, but with a simple boat cleaning business and a strong work ethic. Over time, his passion for boating collided with his love for branding, and that’s when Bad Boy Boating was born. We’ll talk about how he navigated career uncertainty, how he built industry expertise...
At CEO, we are a community of people who are always learning and evolving. Life changes, but part of being in the CEO family means celebrating each other’s journeys as it happens! The final episode of this season’s Fearless Founders podcast is a celebration of what’s to come for Karis Bell as she moves on from her role in Fearless Founders and transitions into her next chapter. Join Executive Director Austin Brooks and Karis as they sit down to discuss Karis' reflections on her expe...
In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with Anne Beiler, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who founded the world's largest pretzel franchise, Auntie Anne’s®. For years, she has inspired audiences with her authentic stories about nearly losing everything, finding purpose in the pain, and rising to a new level of success, and last week with our students was no different. Tune in to hear the story behind Anne's journey from a young woman with no formal education past...
In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with internationally recognized style mastery coach and content creator, Bethany Leonardo. Known for her YouTube channel, Dearly Bethany, Bethany commands a following of over 1 million and has accumulated over 68 million views. Tune in to hear how Bethany reshaped the fashion landscape on YouTube, her journey to becoming a successful content creator, and the advice she'd give to herself looking back. Learn more through her ...
In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with a special panel of alumni business owners who shared their insight into individual business creation with current CEO participants. Tune in to hear what advice they have to give to students as they venture on their entrepreneurial journeys this year and beyond. More about our guests: Ashley Leman, 2022 Woodford County CEO, Owner, Revive Coffee Roasters Revive Coffee and Roasting Company is a small-batch, artisan co...
In this Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with author, founder, and advocate, Amanda Owen. As the founder of Puzzle Pieces, Amanda always knew her life would involve caring for and opening doors for those with disabilities. Little did she know, however, the journey this mission would take her on. Tune in to hear how she has transformed her own story into a business that helps others, the challenges she overcame along the way, and what advice she would give to herself looking...
In this week’s Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with podcast host and author, Kevin Miller. As a former pro athlete turned personal development guide, Kevin is no stranger to pivoting his life's direction and finding new opportunities along the way. Tune in to hear Kevin's perspective on how to do just that, as well as his advice on the most important thing to consider when aspiring for success. Drawing from his own experience conducting interviews with some of today's most...
In this interview, we sat down with disrupter, founder, author, and creator, Derek Laliberte. As the brains behind the brand engagement agency, Disruptur, Derek gave us a glimpse into how he's shaking up the world of sales & marketing. Tune in to hear Derek's perspective on what is needed to challenge the status quo, the importance of authenticity in the business world and beyond, and some of the best advice he'd give himself looking back. To learn more about Derek and his journey, ...
The CEO experience is one that is incredibly unique. It leaves its participants with tools and skills that many of their peers don't have. So how do they use those skills to the max? In this episode, we’re joined by two successful CEO alumni, Nick Smith (Sangamon CEO) and Emma Schoth (Land of Lincoln CEO), to hear how CEO has helped them get to where they are today. Find Emma and Nick on LinkedIn: Emma Schoth https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaschoth/ Nich Smith https://www.linkedi...
In this week's conversation with Dan Chancellor, co-founder and owner of So iLL climbing, we peel back the curtain into what it takes to build a product-based company completely from scratch. From insight into the value of selling direct to consumer to the importance of building a positive team around you, Dan walks us through the ups and downs that brought his business to where it is today, a now multi-million dollar international company making waves in the climbing space. Be sure t...
In this conversation, Lindsay Boccardo, a professional drummer turned millennial coach, shares her journey of how she got to where she is today. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways - from insights into how to find your passion at a young age to practical tips for identifying the direction you want to take in your life, and everything else in between. Be sure to follow Lindsey on all platforms! Website: www.lindsayboccardo.com Facebook/TikTok/Instagram: @LindsayBoccardo Link...
In this conversation, Sam Rowen & Sam Abrahamson, founders of Onomy, share why they're so passionate about demystifying the "secrets" of adulthood by creating the educational content "we all wish we had growing up." From free courses to podcasts, Onomy is teaching millions of young adults personal finance, career-readiness, and more - all taught by the best content creators on the planet. Hear how they're taking the next generation by storm and helping them build their best lives. ...
Dan Miller, world-renowned author of 48 Days do the Work and Life You Love, joined us for this episode to share how he created a life and work that he loved - from the ground up. Expect to hear insight from Dan about what he has seen to be the most predictive of an individual's success, the value of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset, and one of the most important tools that helped catapult him from a farm boy in Ohio to a New York Times Best-Selling Author and a nationally recognized care...
Ainsley Britain has built a movement around helping young adults embrace their confidence, date healthy, and discover their true identity. In this episode, hear how Ainsley found - and followed- her passion to where she is today, how she encourages young people to find their own direction, and what it means to take risks, fail and pivot along the way. Learn more about Ainsley’s work at AinsleyBritain.com.
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