Coffee & Grit

In this special solo episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason Tracey takes the mic to share the raw, unfiltered journey of self-discovery, resilience, and stepping fully into your purpose. After a last-minute cancellation, Jason seizes the opportunity to dive deep into the power of self-awareness—understanding what truly energizes you, drives you, and defines your superpower. From reflecting on persona...

There are episodes you record… and then there are episodes you feel in your bones. This is one of those. An instant classic. One of my favorites of all time. In this conversation with Stu Strahan, we go way beyond business. Stu opens up with raw honesty about the heartbreak of losing it all — and the long, quiet years of doubt that followed. He shares the moment his son reignited the entrepreneuri...

From Side Hustle to Snack Sensation: The Spicy Rise of Crosseye’s Ghost Pretzels In this episode of Coffee & Grit, we sit down with John Hyden a Difference Maker, and someone who turned late-night kitchen experiments into a full-blown viral snack brand. What started as a creative outlet during the 2008 housing crash quickly snowballed into something way bigger… thanks to a little fire, a lot o...

What if you ran your business like a college football team? That’s the question we unpack in this high-energy reunion with Desi Mayner — one of the original Coffee & Grit guests from way back in Episode 2. So much has changed since his first visit in February 2020 (pre-pandemic!), and Desi’s journey of transformation from coaching athletes to building elite business teams is nothing short of i...

Pete Lopez was 27 when he got the news no one ever wants to hear. He had a severe back injury that left him bed ridden for 3 months, and surgery was the only option. His dreams of living an active, pain-free life? Done. At least, that’s what they told him. But Pete had a choice: accept that story—or rewrite it. What happened next wasn’t just about healing himself. It was about owning his life in a...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason sits down with Jackie Kibler, a powerhouse EOS Implementer and coach who’s on a mission to empower the empowerers. From growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to leading underperforming regions in Fortune 500 companies, Jackie has spent her life helping people break through their limitations—and now, she’s doing it at scale. Jackie shares her incredible...

The Secret to Showing Up & Standing Out on Social Media... Getting in front of a camera and creating content can feel terrifying—even for the most outgoing entrepreneurs. But in today’s world, social media isn’t just a marketing tool; it’s the fastest route to building trust, attracting clients, and growing your business. So why do so many people struggle to hit record? In this episode, I sit...

Cold Calling Isn’t Dead—And Neither Is Grit Listen in as we dive in for an epic episode down with Danny Eller, a true Difference Maker, who has played a pivotal role in driving massive growth at Populist Cleaning Co. With a relentless work ethic and a deep commitment to his craft, Danny has helped elevate the company’s sales strategy, expand its reach, and solidify its reputation in the industry....

What happens when you take a lifelong passion, listen to a calling, and rally a community to make a difference? You create something bigger than yourself! In this episode of Coffee & Grit, I sit down with Difference Maker Scott DesAutel, founder of Hockey Night, an incredible annual event where the Detroit Red Wings Alumni team hits the ice—not just for the love of the game, but to raise money...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, we dive into a game-changing approach to success—one built not on cold calls and sales pitches, but on genuine relationships and a commitment to serving others. Listen in as Connor Messina, an Independent Insurance Advisor representing Health Markets, shares his powerful journey from chasing success for himself to shifting his mindset toward helping others—and...

EDITORS ANNOUNCEMENT: TISSUES WILL BE NEEDED FOR THIS EPISODE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! In this milestone 200th episode of Coffee and Grit, Jason is joined by his mom, “The Difference Makers Difference Maker,” Shari Espinoza as they take a deeply personal journey. Together, they reflect on a life of resilience, love, and unwavering grit that shaped Jason into the man he is today.   This raw and heart...

What if one song, one story, or one shared experience could reignite the heartbeat of a town? In this electrifying episode of Coffee & Grit, we're diving into the power of music, community, and entrepreneurship with Brandon Still and Bill Arnold, the visionaries behind Echoes in the Iron. This multimedia project is more than just music—it's a movement. They’re traveling across the Rust Belt, u...

In this inspiring episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason sits down with Kelly Hogan, founder of Champ Therapy & Wellness PLLC, to dive deep into the power of personalized care, resilience, and redefining recovery. Kelly shares her journey from athlete to expert therapist, building a business that helps people regain strength and confidence. Discover how Kelly’s holistic approach bridges the gap b...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason sits down with Bob Shenefelt, visionary's visionary who has built his life around empowering others to unleash their greatness. From his early journey as a top-performing sales leader to his transformative work creating I Matter, a life operating system designed to help people live with clarity, purpose, and intention—Bob’s story is packed with insights...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason sits down with Michelle Carly, founder of Big E-Z Bookkeeping Co, to explore the often-overlooked but crucial role of knowing your numbers in entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings working in a factory to building a thriving bookkeeping business, Michelle shares her remarkable journey of resilience and resourcefulness. Michelle's passion for empowering...

On this episode of Coffee & Grit, I had the privilege of sitting down with Cody, a true difference maker whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From leaving a steady job at U of M to embracing the challenges of building his own woodworking business, Cody shares his raw and unfiltered story of transformation. We dive into his evolution from crafting coat racks to creating one-of-a-kind cu...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason Tracey dives into the gritty realities and transformative lessons of entrepreneurship with special guest Sharla Horton. Together, they explore the power of human connection, the art of storytelling, and the value of authenticity in building a successful business. From breaking through sales challenges to aligning business practices with core values, this...

In this raw and inspiring episode of Coffee & Grit, I sit down with Abigail Hathaway, a Difference Maker who embodies resilience, transformation, and authenticity. Abigail shares her incredible journey of overcoming a tumultuous childhood, navigating the foster care system, and breaking free from generational cycles of trauma. Her story is one of multiple rebirths, proving that the trials we f...

Do you have your “dangerous amount of coffee” ready for another episode of Coffee and Grit?!?  New this week, Jason Tracey sits down with Christel Meyer, a Difference Maker who transitioned from physical therapy to publishing Stroll magazine for the Oak Pointe community in Brighton Michigan. Christel shares her inspiring journey of overcoming self-doubt, embracing change, and building meaningful c...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, Jason Tracey sits down with James Pless to explore the intersection of passion, resilience, and family in entrepreneurship. James shares how he and his wife turned a candle-making hobby into a thriving business in Brighton, MI. From starting in a small workspace to building a retail presence and creating custom designs, their journey is a testament to adaptabi...

New this week on Coffee & Grit, Jason Tracey sits down with Bentley Folse, an entrepreneur who transitioned from culinary school to construction, building a thriving renovation business, HH Renovations. Using the Detroit Lions’ resilience on the field as an analogy, Bentley and Jason explore the parallels between sports grit and entrepreneurial perseverance. Bentley shares his journey of growi...

Join Jason Tracey as he has a heart to heart chat with you, as he explores the transformative power of staying true to Yourself as an entrepreneur. Drawing from personal stories and client experiences, Jason emphasizes the importance of staying true to your core values and resisting the pressure to conform to others' expectations. He discusses how aligning your business with your authentic self ca...

Grab a blanket, get your hot cocoa, and get ready for this week’s episode of Coffee and Grit, which is very timely with the Christmas season right around the corner!  Lindsay Lights, a Difference Making entrepreneur whose mission is to spread light and positivity through her Christmas light installation business. Lindsay opens up about her personal journey, sharing how the loss of her grandmother,...

New this week on Coffee & Grit...Jason Tracey dives into the world of the Entrepreneurial Operating System with Christine Reyes, a Difference Making integrator whose passion is helping entrepreneurial visionaries turn their big ideas into reality.  Christine shares with us her journey from gym owner to fractional integrator, as well as the vital role of an integrator and the impact of EOS on b...

In this episode of Coffee & Grit, host Jason Tracey is joined by Dr. Michael Berry, DC, owner and operator of Conquer Chiropractic (TM), who shares his journey of resilience and adaptability in business. Dr. Berry opens up about a recent trademark challenge that required a complete rebranding, including extensive administrative updates and communicating the change to clients. He emphasizes the...