CapLander

What does it take to build a successful career, a thriving business, and a marriage that lasts nearly 50 years?Jody and Morgan Thelander welcome James S. Cassel, Chairman and Co-Founder of Cassel Salpeter, a Miami-based investment banking firm, for a wide-ranging conversation about business, relationships, and the lessons learned along the way.James shares his unconventional journey from practicing law for 17 years to leading an investment banking firm, why relationships and networking remain essential to business success, and the emotional complexities of selling a family-owned company.The conversation also gets personal as James reflects on nearly five decades with his wife, raising four children while building his career, and why helping others without expecting anything in return can pay dividends for years to come.Plus, they explore the value of traditional education in the age of AI, the outlook for mergers and acquisitions, and whether the current AI boom might be getting ahead of itself.From billion-dollar ideas to grocery-store introductions and the great carry-on luggage debate, this episode is a reminder that business is ultimately about people.

Four generations. Three strong women. One unforgettable conversation.In this special episode of CapLander, Jody and Morgan welcome a very personal guest: Gail Kaplan, Jody’s mother, Morgan’s grandmother, and the outspoken matriarch of their family.At 86 years young, Gail has a lifetime of wisdom, a remarkable perspective on how the world has changed, and absolutely no hesitation about sharing her opinions.Together, three generations of women explore the lessons, values, and experiences that have shaped their family—from building a career at a time when few women worked outside the home to navigating marriage, motherhood, financial independence, and the sometimes complicated dynamics of working with family.Gail reflects on her 66-year marriage, her lifelong love of travel, and the importance of saving, investing, and living within your means. Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of hilarious detours through family disagreements, forgotten birthdays, and the unmistakable personality traits passed down through generations.With the recent arrival of Morgan’s daughter Peyton bringing a fourth generation into the family, the conversation ultimately turns to legacy: what we inherit, what we choose to carry forward, and what really matters in the end.Funny, candid, heartfelt, and full of hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a celebration of strong women, family bonds, and the lessons that connect generations.

What do you pack for a business trip—and what do you bring to the room once you get there?Fresh from San Francisco and Palo Alto, Jody and Morgan Thelander unpack everything from repeat-worthy blazers and Silicon Valley style to the personal connections that keep business moving. They share why a genuine conversation can open doors, why successful founders keep building long after an exit, and why the follow-up matters just as much as the introduction.Back in St. Louis, life is changing, too: Morgan is navigating her first business trip since becoming a mom, and Jody is setting up a home base around the corner. Along the way, they debate sandwiches at cocktail hour, compare perfectionism with living comfortably at 80%, and reflect on how they keep their mother-daughter relationship strong while running a business together.It’s a candid, funny conversation about showing up, letting go, and making room for what matters—in your suitcase, your career, and your family.

What does it actually take to stand out—in your career, in relationships, and in everyday life?In this episode of CapLander, Jody and Morgan have a wide-ranging conversation about effort, independence, and the increasingly underrated skill of knowing how to deal with people.They dig into a recent discussion about employers struggling with young workers entering the workforce without some of the practical and interpersonal skills they expect. But rather than simply blaming a generation, Jody and Morgan look at the bigger picture: Are schools preparing young people for the real world? Are parents giving their kids enough opportunities to become independent? And how much of professional success comes from skills you can only learn by actually working?From customer-service jobs and difficult conversations to taking initiative when nobody asks you to, they explore the experiences that teach you how to solve problems, communicate with people, and become someone others can rely on.Morgan also shares an update on life as a new mom—including the realities of breastfeeding, sleepless nights, and a dog adjusting to no longer being the center of attention—and somehow the conversation even finds its way to personal style, hobbies, networking, and why getting away from a screen and interacting with actual humans still matters.It’s a conversation about growing up, standing out, and why getting where you want to go usually requires more than simply doing what’s expected of you.

What does it take to build a new home for the Buffalo Bills? ARC co-owner Cynthia Ciminelli joins Jody and Morgan to share the pride, teamwork, and community spirit behind the new stadium—and why its opening feels bittersweet for lifelong fans.Cynthia also talks about starting a business with her husband, finding her voice after a career in Washington, and what she looks for when hiring young professionals. It’s a conversation about partnership, believing in your work, and the people who make Buffalo feel like home. Go Bills!