Rounding The Bases With Joel Goldberg

A fantastic conversation about women in sports, gender inequalities, successes and failures, and how each of these topics fit into the workplace. Ann Gaffigan was a standout high school and college athlete competing in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Had the steeplechase been a female Olympic event, Ann would be an Olympian. Ann is currently the Director of Technology Operations at Dimensional Innovations.

Superhuman might be the word to describe world champion boxer, Christy Martin. She was relentless inside the ring recording victory after victory paving the way for women in boxing. But it was outside the ring where Christy fought her greatest battle. After suffering domestic violence and a murder attempt by her former husband, Christy has made it her life’s mission to support family abuse victims and survivors in their own fight for life. She is a hero and a beacon of hope for women and men.

Youth sports has drastically changed over the years, but KC Athletic Training instills the heart of sport while also changing with the times. They have a culture that strengthens young athletes into becoming successful men and women. Jim Tuso is the Facility Director at KC Athlete Training, which has been in Kansas City for 21 years. Jim's own sports background helps him shape young athlete's lives. Joel and Jim have a great conversation about youth sports as well as staying on top of the business game.

Max Kaniger is the founder of Kanbe's Markets, a nonprofit organization providing access to fresh, affordable and healthy foods to people experiencing food insecurity.Kanbe’s Markets first program, the Healthy Corner Store, aims to solve food insecurity in Kansas City through small-scale, sustainable, and affordable produce stands set up in corner stores across the city. Max largely funded the project himself, but early success led Kanbe’s to expand to twenty-five full-time staff, and over 40 location

Sam Rapoport is the Sr. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the NFL. She has dedicated her career to creating innovative business models aimed at enfranchising marginalized populations in sport. She has worked to shift and progress diversity hiring in football, and catalyzed a movement for women in sports by creating a new diversity platform for the NFL. Rapoport was recently named one of SI's most Powerful, Most Influential and Most Outstanding Women in Sports.

After spending 12 seasons in the MLB, Mark Teahen considered a baseball career in Italy when his next career was born. Maybe it was the Italian wine talking, but it was in Italy that he and his wife Lauren acted on their dreams of owning their own business and mapped out the blueprints for Sorso Wine Room. In 2015, Sorso opened in Scottsdale, AZ and the Teahens were restaurant owners. Joel catches up with his old friend as they discuss career transitions, pivoting in the pandemic, and wine and baseball.

Dave Raymond pioneered the field of sports mascots as the first person to go out on the field as the world-renowned Phillie Phanatic. During his 16 years performing as the Phanatic, he sparked a revolution in the mascot industry. He took the lessons he learned and made a seamless transition as an entrepreneur into the world of character branding and mascot development starting Raymond Entertainment Group nearly 20 years ago.

Diana Kander is a New York Times Best-selling author, entrepreneur, innovation consultant, and keynote speaker on curiosity and innovation. She entered the United States as a refugee at the age of 8, she has launched and sold millions of dollars worth of products and services. Diana believes the practice is more important and more fun than the game, and she wants businesses to see that perspective as well. She is a powerful woman in business ready to take on any challenge.

After a successful college football career, running back Montee Ball was drafted by the Broncos in the 2nd round. He was on the fast track to success when his fight with alcoholism, anxiety, and depression ended his football dreams. But instead of losing all hope, Montee changed his path in life and found his purpose. His goal is to tear down the stigma that surrounds substance use disorder with a strong focus on peer support. He has an incredible story of hope with a plan to help others.

John Gronski may argue his entire life has been the "ride of his life", but the retired United States Army Major General is coasting in his post military duties. He is the author of two books, his latest, "“Iron-Sharpened Leadership, Transforming Hard Fought Lessons Into Action” is available for preorder. He is a renowned leader respected all over the world. Joel and John discuss John's leadership philosophy, which is built upon character, competence, and resilience.

Peter Moylan is a former Major League Baseball reliever from Australia who pitched for the Braves, Dodgers and Royals during a 12 year career. His resume away from the diamond includes numerous odd jobs in the world of entrepreneurship. Peter’s experience on and off the baseball field is one of resilience and grit. He’s now a television broadcaster and shared life lessons with Joel as well as thoughts on MLB’s controversial crackdown on pitchers using foreign substances to manipulate baseballs.

Musician and entrepreneur Kemet Coleman is making history in the state of Missouri. Along with his two business partners, Woodie Bonds, Jr. and Elliott Ivory, Kemet is opening the first black owned brewery in the state of Missouri paving the way for black owned businesses. Vine Street Brewing will be located in the historic Jazz District of Kansas City and will open in 2022. Kemet is an inspiring entrepreneur making his dreams happen against the odds.

Tamara Day is the host and designer of HGTV's Bargain Mansions, and the CEO/Founder of Growing Days Home and Growing Days Design (and the mom of 4 kids!) She is a seasoned entrepreneur, who learned early in her career the importance of scaling, outsourcing, and leaning on her own leadership skills to achieve success. Not only does she renovate beautiful homes, but also her thriving business!

When Eliot Marshall couldn't find his identity as a young boy, he turned to mixed martial arts as an outlet, not knowing then that the fight would change his life. He earned notable accolades during his years as a competitor eventually retiring and starting his own ventures. In 2015, Eliot suffered anxiety and depression stemming from his childhood days. Listen as he discusses how the fight changed his life and all he is doing to help others today.

Deb Zila and Mike Seitz spent nearly 75 years combined in the business world and serving on numerous boards in the school systems and beyond. For their "fourth chapter" as they state, the duo formed BOARDynamics, an organization focused on helping boards function more smoothly. Through a customized approach, BOARDynamics coaches boards to examine, understand and improve their functions, actions and outcomes. Listen as they discuss their new venture and the keys to finding purpose and sharing goals.

What started as a "catch-up" between Joel and a former catcher he once covered turned into a great in depth conversation covering everything from the art of catching to business ventures to mental health. John Buck spent 10 seasons in the MLB including 5 with the Kansas City Royals. Listen as John discusses great behind the scenes stories as well as his post baseball life endeavors, and so much in between!

Angela Pugh is a recovering alcoholic who found her life's purpose through her sobriety, and now she is helping others do the same. She is a master coach, podcast host, national speaker, and sober entrepreneur. Angela used the foundational tools she learned during her road to sobriety to start her company, Kansas City Recovery Services, which supports addictions, interventions, counseling, men’s sober living homes, and outpatient services. Her strength is insurmountable, her story truly inspiring.

A fascinating story you don't want to miss! Ebrima "Abraham" Sisay grew up in West Africa on a small island, Gambia, where he was an aspiring soccer player. At a young age, he witnessed horrific tragedy and faced personal trauma deflating his soccer dreams. His conversation with Joel reflects on his battle with mental illness, his escape to America, and his entrepreneurial journey. Today, he is a film producer-director and the founder of Alkamba Company.

Deanna Munoz is a true entrepreneurial story. The daughter of an undocumented immigrant pursuing the American Dream, Deanna learned early on in life the meaning of hard work. She has experienced intense heartache and loss. She has had to redefine herself and find her identity as an immigrant. All of these life challenges and lessons, as well as her strong culture, shaped Deanna into who she is today. She now gives the underserved and underrepresented a voice through the Latino Arts Foundation.

Episode 605 features a fantastic conversation with a strong leader who has over 35 years of experience in Fortune 500 corporations and start-up ventures. 13 years ago, Don Goldman shifted from corporate America to pursue a career in the nonprofit world as the Executive Director and CEO of the Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City. Don discusses his career change to nonprofits, pivoting and growing during the pandemic, and serving countless individuals through the mission of JFS.