Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

In Episode 54 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Detroit entrepreneur Mark Rieth , the businessman behind Atwater Brewery, FÜL Beverage, and the revival of Velvet Peanut Butter, for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, taking risks, building great brands, and betting on yourself. Mark's entrepreneurial journey began with a simple homebrewing kit and a pass...

In Episode 53 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Jared Kozinn, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Spartan Ventures at Michigan State Athletics , for a fascinating conversation about career reinvention, the business of sports, and the future of college athletics. Jared shares his journey through the professional sports industry, including leadership roles with organiza...

In Episode 52 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Ellsworth Miller of Ellsworth Cutting Tools for an inspiring conversation about unexpected leadership, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and the wisdom of Stoicism. Ellsworth was working in his father's cutting tool manufacturing business when his father's passing suddenly thrust him into a leadership role he had...

In Episode 51 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with former Detroit Lions defensive back Moe Norris for a conversation about football, resilience, family, and finding a purpose bigger than the game. Moe's path to professional football was anything but conventional. He didn't begin playing until his senior year of high school, worked his way through junior college and F...

Episode 50 of the Enthusiastic Life Podcast features Rod Arroyo - founder of Detroit Legacy Tours, urban planner, photographer, and passionate student of Detroit history. Rod joins Brendan for a fascinating look at the city of Detroit - from the decisions that shaped its streets, neighborhoods, infrastructure, and architecture to the people and culture that made the city what it is today. In this...

What shapes the way we see the world — and who shapes the message? This week, Brendan sits down with Chris Moyer , communications strategist, public speaker, and host of Beyond Both Sides , for a fascinating conversation about the power of communication. Chris shares his unlikely journey from playing college and professional soccer overseas to building a career in PR and public affairs. They dive...

In Episode 48 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with entrepreneur and founder of The Zealous Root, Vina Taylor . Vina shares the journey behind building The Zealous Root into much more than a salon — creating a workplace where women can thrive and a culture that clients can feel the moment they walk through the door. Founded in 2015, the Grosse Pointe Park salon was intentionall...

In Episode 47 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with 6x American Ninja Warrior competitor, former biochemist, entrepreneur and keynote speaker Angela Gargano .  Angela shares her unlikely journey from working long shifts in a science lab to fitness competitions and eventually American Ninja Warrior — including the devastating ACL injury on national television that threatened to...

In Episode 46 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Emmy Award-winning Detroit TV reporter and longtime media personality Hank Winchester . Hank looks back on his career at WDIV Local 4, life inside the Detroit news business, and what ultimately led him to step away from television and into a completely different chapter of his career. He and Brendan also get into Hank's m...

In Episode 45 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Detroit musician, entrepreneur and Cadieux Cafe co-owner John Rutherford . John shares the incredible journey that began with an early obsession with the trombone and eventually took him around the world — performing, touring and recording with artists including Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Yo-Yo Ma, Noel Gallagher...

In Episode 44 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with conductor, organist and lifelong musician Scott Hanoian . Scott shares the incredible journey music has taken him on — from his time at Washington National Cathedral, where he played for services including the funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, to performing and conducting in some of the world's most ic...

In Episode 43 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , there’s no guest — Brendan and producer Ryan sit down together to answer questions submitted by the audience. What starts as a mailbag episode quickly turns into a much deeper conversation about adulthood, expectations, technology, the things we value, and some of the questions that don’t necessarily have a right answer. Would your 25-year-old self...

Episode Description In Episode 42 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Emmy Award-winning journalist Christy McDonald , whose career has spanned more than three decades covering some of Detroit's biggest stories. Christy reflects on her journey through local television news, working her way from reporter to one of Detroit's most respected anchors. She shares unforget...

In Episode 41 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Reimer Priester , founder of Café Sous Terre, Café Un Deux Trois, and The Grand Porter. Reimer shares the winding journey that brought him to Detroit — from studying at Duke University and falling in love with the arts, to working in orchestral management throughout the Southeast and eventually at...

In Episode 40 , Brendan sits down with one of the most fascinating storytellers we’ve had on the podcast — Paddy Lynch . Paddy is a mortician working in his family’s business, Lynch & Sons Funeral Homes, but his story goes far beyond that. He’s also a serial entrepreneur and a passionate preserver of Detroit’s history — owning and operating iconic institutions like The Schvitz , The Convent ,...

In Episode 39 , Brendan sits down with Rachel Adenaas , former Mrs. Michigan-America , for a conversation that goes far beyond the pageant stage. Rachel shares her journey through the world of pageants — what drew her to it, what she loves about it, and how she has continued to support and stay connected to that community over the years. But what makes this episode truly unforgettable is her incre...

In Episode 38 , Brendan sits down with Josh Gershonowicz , founder, entrepreneur, and advertising executive, for a candid conversation about life, business, and what comes after success. Josh shares his journey building a company in the advertising industry, growing it over time, and ultimately making the decision to sell. But what makes this conversation especially compelling is what comes next —...

In Episode 37 , Brendan sits down with Amy Peterson , co-founder and CEO of Rebel Nell, for a conversation about vision, resilience, and building something meaningful. Amy shares her early dream of becoming the first female General Manager in Major League Baseball — a goal that shaped her mindset and decision-making from a young age. But as her journey evolved, so did her path, ultimately leading...

In Episode 36 , Brendan sits down with Matt Pepper , CEO of Michigan Humane , for a conversation about the powerful role animals play in shaping stronger, healthier communities. Matt shares his journey through leadership in animal welfare across the country — but one of the most impactful moments came during his time volunteering in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina . That experience...

In Episode 35 , Brendan sits down with Sean Mann , co-founder and CEO of Detroit City FC, for a deep dive into one of the most unique and community-driven stories in American sports. Sean shares his journey from growing up in Michigan to studying abroad in Greece — where his love for football (soccer) first began — to his time working in politics both in Lansing and overseas at the UK House of Com...

In Episode 34 , Brendan sits down with Marie Wallace , founder of Detroit’s beloved crepe shop, The French Cow , for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is unexpected. Marie shares her journey from growing up in France to immigrating to Detroit in 2004 — a dream sparked, in part, by her love for Eminem. What started as a bold leap across the world eventually became a growing business, beginni...

In Episode 33 , Brendan sits down with Eric Larson , CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership and a longtime leader in real estate development and urban revitalization. Eric shares the winding path that led him into real estate, the decades of change he’s witnessed across Detroit, and the pivotal moments that helped shape the city into what it is today. From large-scale development to infrastructur...

In Episode 32 , Brendan sits down with Dawn Riley , one of the most accomplished sailors in the history of the sport. A four-time competitor in the America’s Cup —the oldest international competition in the world—Dawn has sailed over 33,000 miles in a single race , competed in multiple around-the-world expeditions, and earned her place in multiple Halls of Fame. Today, she serves as Executive Dire...

For the first time, Brendan Walsh — the host and founder of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast — steps into the guest seat as Ryan takes over the mic. This conversation pulls back the curtain on Brendan’s story, from his background and life experiences to the habits, mindsets, and lessons he’s picked up from the incredible guests he’s met along the way. They talk about what inspired him to start the po...

In Episode 30 , Brendan sits down with Matt Loria , CEO and Managing Partner of Auxiom , to talk about the journey from early sales roles to building and leading a high-performing technology and cybersecurity company. Matt shares stories from his early days selling extreme sports equipment, his experience working with Midwest Technology Leaders, and how those chapters shaped his approach to leader...