Rounding The Bases With Joel Goldberg

If you’ve ever used your cellphone to put video on the internet, Adam Fichman is the one to thank. That’s right, his first company - a garage start-up in college, called 1dawg, pioneered the entire process and introduced it to the world. He is a tech savant and sometimes-irreverent internet prodigy, who bears many claims to fame. Fast forward to the present, Adam is the President and Founder of Lifted Logic, a KC-based media company specializing in everything from graphic design to print to web.

Adriana Bates is a woman who does business in style while breaking down barriers. Her reputation for being a powerhouse at the closing table is preceded only by her reputation for doing it all with impeccable fashion, both figuratively and literally. She is the Co-Founder, Partner and self-proclaimed "Leader of Awesomeness" of Clear KC LLC. She is passionate about the client experience educating and empowering each client to make decisions perfectly tailored to their lifestyle and financial goals.

Mike Swanson’s 43rd year working in Major League Baseball will be his last as he heads into well-deserved retirement. The long time media relations executive worked for the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and his hometown Kansas City Royals. In part 2 of his interview with Joel, "Swanee" discussed some of his favorite stadiums, leaving a family legacy, retirement plans and he shared insight into players like Tony Gwynn, Randy Johnson, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez.

Renowned in his industry, Mike Swanson has spent 43 years working in Major League Baseball, the last 15 as Kansas City Royals’ Vice President-Communications & Broadcasting. Known as “Swanee” throughout the industry, he has worked for the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and his hometown Royals. In 2002, Swanee earned the prestigious Robert O. Fishel Award for Public Relations Excellence. Swanee was a part of two World Series winners, and is retiring following the 2021 season.

Terin Humphrey is a former olympic gymnast who won two silver medals for the U.S. team in Athens in 2004. She's a two time Hall of Fame Inductee, Missouri's first Hall of Fame Gymnast, a 2-time NCAA Individual Champion on Bars and an 11-time All American. Terin is a public speaker with the hopes of sharing her story of being a survivor of sexual assault and helping change laws to help survivors find the courage to come out and find their voice.

Greg Graves knows a thing or two about creating an amazing place to work. He is the former CEO and Chairman of 100% employee owned Burns & McDonnell Engineering & Construction Company. During his 13 years in the role, Burns & McDonnell grew employment 400% and revenue 1000%. His proudest accomplishment as CEO was the company being named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Work 10 times. Now retired, Greg is the author of the book "Create Amazing", amongst other impressive endeavors.

Providing access...the most important aspect of Dan Smith and Charon Thompson's business, The Porter House KC, which is an inner-city based co-working community that provides entrepreneurship access and resources to underserved populations in the Kansas City Metro area. The two former college fraternity brothers have run businesses together for years and now their mission is to be a bridge for underrepresented individuals that typically don't have access to the entrepreneurial dream.

An immigrant to the US, Rania Anderson is "driven by a deeply held conviction that the global economy will only thrive when women and all people are equally engaged in leading its prosperity." Rania is an author, international keynote speaker on inclusive leadership, gender parity and the advancement of women, and an executive business coach. Listen to this enlightening conversation that teaches the importance of compassion through empathy.

There is a sleeping giant in every human. Brian Bogert's purpose in life is to awaken those giants within and turn them into legends by helping them grab what they believe is just out of their grasp. Brian is revolutionizing how individuals, leaders, and entrepreneurs deeply connect with their authentic selves to achieve the best version of themselves. Brian's story is unique and brave, but he wants all of us to embrace our own story to create a life without limits.

Mary B. Lucas is an author, speaker and people connector. Mary’s highly successful book, Lunchmeat & Life Lessons, is a motivational memoir and tribute to her father on how to bring out the best in yourself and others. She has spoken to thousands of people at hundreds of corporate audiences, commencement addresses and professional meetings with one mission: to share life lessons that help people create meaningful connections and inspire themselves.

Coming from a line of entrepreneurs, Brandy McCombs always knew she wanted to own her own business. In 2009, her dream came true when she started IBC, a Kansas City construction company, in the corner office of her master bedroom with $10,000, and a vision. In a few short years, Brandy and her team led the company to its remarkable multimillion-dollar growth. Passionate about giving back to the community, Brandy is involved in countless organizations and created IBC's purpose to "build better lives".

Paul Epstein believes there are two types of people in this world—those who play defense—and those who PLAY OFFENSE.These insights around purpose, performance, and impact weregathered over a 15-year run as a professional sports executive– where Paul successfully steered business teams that executed billion-dollar NFL campaigns, broke Super Bowl revenue records, and generated league-leading sales results for cellar dwelling NBA clubs. An entertaining conversation you don't want to miss!

As an entrepreneur, former executive, husband, and father of 3, Cory Carlson knows the pressures working parents face. 20 years in corporate America gave Cory amazing opportunities. But he also saw brokenness: work without purpose, burnout, lack of focus, strained marriages, and absentee parents. When Cory discovered coaching, it helped him become a better leader, husband, and father. So he left his corporate career to help other leaders achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Power couple Chris and Angie Long never planned to own soccer team, but the dynamic duo found themselves as co-owners of Kansas City's new women's team. The couple, along with NFL star Patrick Mahomes’ fiancée Brittany Matthews, a former college and pro soccer player, co-founded the new sports team in Dec 2020. The founders are paving the way for women sports empowering countless people along the way. Listen to hear about Chris and Angie's successful careers, and their powerful effect on women's sports.

Legendary Hall of Fame pitcher LeRoy Satchel Paige spent much of his life playing baseball and living in Kansas City. The 3700-square foot home he owned from 1950 until his death in 1982 has been uninhabited for years and suffered a fire in 2018. The city, the Royals and a local group, Pitch Perfect KC, led by architect Vincent Gauthier will be restoring the historic home. Gauthier spoke with Joel about the project and the significance of the home.

Carlos Antequera's entrepreneurial journey began at 18 years old when he immigrated to the US from Bolivia. With sights set on Miami, he ended up in Topeka for college eventually settling in the Midwest as a successful entrepreneur. He is currently the co-founder of Novel Capital, a Kansas City firm that leverages Revenue-Based Financing to provide growth capital to early-stage software companies that don’t fit the traditional venture or banking models.

"Finding Your Joy Spot" the name of Joel's guest's book and also a big topic of this conversation. Yes, we all have a "joy spot" and Leona deVinne wants to help you find it. In her book, she provides frameworks that are science based to help readers discover joy in unexpected places. Leona is an entrepreneur, a certified coach and facilitator at deVille Partners, a coach and Joy guru at leonadevinne.com and Sock Broker at joysocks.ca.

Brian McMaster is a true success story and an example of grit and resilience. As a young entrepreneur running a company in 2001, the September 11attacks affected his business and sent him into bankruptcy. He started M&M Quality Solutions, Inc. two years later as one of two employees with a first year revenue of $30,000. M&M now employs 80 people around the country and expects revenue of close to $12M in 2021.

A former NBA player turned writer, entrepreneur, and speaker, Paul Shirley humanizes professional athletes by showing a side of sport that many do not see. As a "12th man", Paul's playing career may not have been glorified, he may not have been a superstar, but he found a true love of writing during his playing days. Writing became his passion. Paul is now the author of three books and the founder of numerous ventures including The Process and Writers Blok.

He was named "The Go-To Business Coach" by International Business Times, he started his first business at the age of 4, created his first multi-million dollar business at 24, and has helped others generate millions with his strategies. His name is Charles Gaudet and he attributes his personal success to his passion for his craft. Passion is what sets him apart and it's what separates his clients from being good to being the best. His words are inspiring, the conversation a must-listen.