Chess Not Checkers

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien connect everyday life with business—breaking down how lessons from parenting directly translate to leadership, consistency, and long-term success. Recorded around St. Patrick’s Day, the conversation starts with stories about leprechaun traps, crazy hat days, and showing up for your kids. But quickly, it ties back to a bigger id...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien are joined by Justin Avey for a different kind of conversation—breaking down the good deals and the bad deals that shaped their careers. Instead of focusing on a single project or business, the three dive into the real stories behind some of the biggest wins and toughest lessons they’ve experienced in real estate and developmen...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Justin Avey of Avey Construction to unpack his bold leap from retail management to construction entrepreneur. After 12 years at Best Buy, Justin cashed out his life savings, bought an excavator—with no prior experience—and bet on himself. What followed was a crash course in hands-on learning, risk-taking, and rel...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Zak Allen, a rising star in real estate, to explore his journey from car sales to leading a multi-state team of agents. Zak shares how he overcame early struggles, the lessons he learned from mentorship and personal development, and how authenticity and mindset have shaped his success. From closing his first deal...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Scotland Shouse, head brewer at Brick West Brewing Co., to explore the craft, science, and community behind every pint. Scotland shares his journey from North Carolina to Spokane, revealing how he discovered a love for brewing and the balance between precision and creativity in the process. From the accidental cr...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Alicia Newman, entrepreneur and owner of Method Juice Cafe in Spokane. Alicia shares her journey of building multiple businesses while raising twins and a teenager, balancing family life with the challenges of entrepreneurship. From taking over Method Juice Cafe to co-owning Slumber, a short-term property managem...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Ian sit down with Danielle Nishiyama, owner of Craft Studio in Spokane. With nearly two decades in the beauty industry and over ten years running her own salon, Danielle shares her journey of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and team leadership. From building a hybrid salon model to cultivating a strong team culture, Danielle dives...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane entrepreneur Jacob Gallion to explore his journey of resilience, reinvention, and community impact. From growing up in his family’s flooring business to facing personal and professional setbacks, Jacob shares how he rebuilt his life and launched Spokane Water Heater, a customer-focused plumbing business....

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien reflect on the lessons learned in 2025 and share their goals and aspirations for 2026. From personal growth to business challenges, they discuss how last year tested their resilience, taught valuable insights about communication, adaptability, and setting realistic goals, and prepared them to tackle the year ahead. Looking for...

As 2025 comes to a close, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien reflect on an incredible year of conversations on Chess Not Checkers . From inspiring entrepreneurs to community leaders, this episode revisits some of the standout moments, lessons, and stories that shaped our year. This episode is a celebration of growth, community, and the meaningful connections that make Chess Not Checkers more than jus...

Originally Released April 22nd, 2025 In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Reed Moore, a successful entrepreneur and real estate expert. Reed shares his journey from military service to building a thriving real estate empire with RMG Real Estate. He discusses the importance of personal development, resilience, and learning from failure, highligh...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien chat with Rob Henry about personal growth, parenting, resilience, and life-changing experiences—including his journey with ayahuasca. Rob shares stories from raising his daughters, facing challenges, and finding clarity through vulnerability. They discuss aligning expectations with reality, giving back, and building resilience...

Originally Released February 11th, 2025 In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Jordan Tampien and Keith Riddle sit down with Joel Barbour, co-founder of The Great PNW, to discuss his journey from graphic designer to multi-business entrepreneur. Joel shares how his creative passion, strategic thinking, and adaptability helped him build successful ventures across different industries, from bra...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Chad “Hooty” Huetter to talk bull riding, craftsmanship, and navigating the housing world. Chad shares stories from the rodeo that taught him grit and resilience, dives into the philosophy behind his woodworking and construction projects, and explores the challenges of homeownership and the housing market. The co...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown to discuss her journey from rural Illinois to leading the city. They dive into her vision for Spokane, tackling challenges like homelessness, housing, and community safety, while also exploring opportunities for economic growth and cultural development. Mayor Brown shares initiatives like...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane native Brandon Michielli to explore his journey through entrepreneurship, business strategy, and scaling a family company. Brandon shares how he navigated challenges with his family’s trucking and landscaping business, Circle M, overcame regulatory hurdles, and implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating Sys...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien dive into the entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on the challenges, setbacks, and lessons that come with building businesses. Jordan shares insights from his new book, Stacking Bricks , detailing how he navigated financial hurdles, scaled ventures, and developed the resilience needed to keep moving forward. Keith and Jordan to...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Emilie Cameron, President and CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, to discuss the ongoing efforts to keep Spokane’s downtown vibrant and thriving. Emilie shares how the DSP leverages the Business Improvement District, community engagement, and strategic initiatives to enhance public safety, cleanliness,...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane local Sheldon Jackson to discuss the city’s pressing challenges around homelessness and urban development. Sheldon shares his perspective on how Spokane can balance economic growth with social responsibility, including insights into the push for a Treatment First approach to homelessness. They dive i...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Chris Batten, a Spokane native and key figure in the city’s downtown revitalization. Chris shares his journey from serving in the Navy to navigating the complexities of urban development, including managing properties, understanding legislation, and tackling the unique challenges of Spokane’s downtown. The c...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Rob Brewster, a seasoned developer known for revitalizing historic buildings in Spokane. Rob shares his journey through urban development, discussing the challenges of outdated zoning laws, navigating city approvals, and the balance between economic growth and community needs. The conversation also explores...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane City Council Member Michael Cathcart to discuss local governance, development, and community engagement. Michael shares his journey into politics, insights on balancing urban growth with preserving Spokane’s character, and strategies for addressing affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety.

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien have a candid conversation about navigating life’s challenges and finding fulfillment. They discuss how adapting to change, embracing setbacks, and redefining success can help both entrepreneurs and everyday people thrive. Through personal stories and reflections, they highlight the importance of perseverance, meaningful relati...

In this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Kristen Ward, the creative force behind Spokane’s The Ivory Table Catering. Kristen shares her journey from aspiring musician and singer to running one of the city’s premier catering companies. She talks about how her early experiences in music and travel shaped her creativity, how a move to Spokane led her to di...

On this episode of Chess Not Checkers , Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Blue Stiley, Spokane native, international model, motivational speaker, and black belt in karate, to talk about navigating life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and perspective. Blue shares how mentorship, self-reflection, and building a “confidence team” have helped him turn rejection and failure into o...