The Purpose Hunter

In this episode of The Purpose Hunter Podcast, Matt Berrafato sits down with drummer, educator, arts leader, and lifelong advocate Rich Holly to explore how a deep love for music evolved into a life of service, leadership, and lasting impact.   Rich shares his journey from performing on stages around the world to shaping generations of students, artists, and artsorganizations through higher educat...

In this episode of "The Purpose Hunter," I sit down with Rick Cosgrove, the CXO and President of Agency EA, a global brand experiential marketing agency. As a fellow alum of Notre Dame College Prepin Niles, Illinois, Rick shares his remarkable story of resilience and reinvention. From pivoting out of finance and economics into architecture, to navigating a tough economy as an intern and...

Join us in this captivating episode of "The Purpose Hunter" as we delve into the extraordinary journey of Leah Siegel—a woman who transformed life's challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment. From the comforts of a $2 million home to theunexpected role of a single mother and breadwinner, Leah's story is a testament to resilience and reinvention.  Discover how Leah...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Brian P. Swift, JD, renowned as "The Quadfather." Brian is a John Maxwell personal development coach, speaker, best-selling author, and radio personality, whose journey is a testament to resilience and purpose. At the young age of 17, a life-altering football accident left Brian learning to live fully from a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. Yet,...

Dr. Moynes has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning four decades in both public and private sectors. During a twenty-year career in the public sector, he taught at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary level, served as a Department Head, a Superintendent and finally as Director of Education, where he was responsible for the operation of 10 secondary schools, 40 elementary schools, and a...

Join Matt Berrafato, the Purpose Hunter, as he embarks on a captivating conversation with the legendary Wayne Messmer. Dive into the remarkable life of the voice renowned as "Chicago’s Original Voice of the National Anthem." From an unexpected moment at a college hockey game to his iconic performances with the Chicago Blackhawks, Cubs, Wolves, and more, discover how Wayne's ability to seize opport...

Join us on this inspiring episode as we delve into the transformative journey of John Cashman. Growing up in a bustling Irish Catholic family with seven siblings in Morton Grove, Illinois, John and I were classmates at Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois.   His initial path led him to Western Illinois University to major in corrections and alternative education with dreams of teaching. Howev...

Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the remarkable career of Burt Levy , who spent 22 years at the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, overseeing the motion pictures category. Burt worked alongside film critic Roger Ebert and collaborated closely with major studios such as DreamWorks, Paramount, and Warner Bros. He culminated his media career as the publisher of North Shore Magazine. Bur...

In this episode of The Purpose Hunter, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Steve Luckenbach. From overcoming a challenging upbringing to rising to prominence in sales and professional speaking, Steve's story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of understanding one's "Why". At the age of 35, Steve found personal fulfillment with the joys of his own family,...

In this episode, we delve into the captivating story of Kent Jones, a devoted family man, accomplished entrepreneur, and enthusiastic basketball coach. Originally from a small town near Lansing, Michigan, Kent shares his experiences of growing up as one of four boys, establishing a loving family, and pursuing a career in banking and mortgage brokerage. As the visionary behind 216 Creator Studios a...

In this episode, we explore the profound story of Mark Vincent, a seasoned organizational development expert with over 30 years of experience in guiding organizations and their leadership towards unprecedented growth. As an executive advisor specializing in succession process consulting, Mark has dedicated his career to helping companies thrive through effective leadership strategies. Beyond his p...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dru Wischhover, a man who started his journey in the construction trades right out of school. Dru's entrepreneurial spirit quickly shone through, leading him to establish his own Title Company, which eventually evolved into a successful real estate development/title company. But Dru's story isn't just about business success. Throughout his jo...

In this enlightening episode, we're honored to host Fred Beuttler former Deputy Historian of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Join us as we unravel the fascinating career of Fred, a distinguished college professor, and researcher, whose expertise has left an indelible mark on the understanding of our nation's past. In our conversation he challenges you to take an introspect...

In this episode of The Purpose Hunter podcast, join me for a heartfelt conversation with Dr. George Quill, my longtime friend and Notre Dame High School classmate. Growing up as the eldest of four boys in the north suburbs of Chicago, George's story unfolds within the backdrop of a loving Catholic family deeply connected to a four-generation boilermaker business. We explore George's transf...

In this inspiring podcast interview, we explore the incredible journey of Caden Vittorini, a young man who has achieved remarkable success at just 20 years old. From excelling in academics and sports to appearing on America's Got Talent and becoming a certified life coach for teens, Caden's accomplishments are truly extraordinary. As the CEO of Vitt Factor, a leadership company he founded...

Join Marty Griffin in this podcast episode as he shares his life journey, from growing up in a middle-class Irish Catholic family on Chicago's north side to achieving a successful corporate career. After graduating from Notre Dame high school in Niles, Illinois, and an undergrad degree from Marquette University, Marty taught high school and coached wrestling before gaining his MBA and embarkin...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tyler Braun, a remarkable individual who hails from a tight-knit community in Wisconsin. Raised with strong Midwestern values by his loving parents, Tyler's journey took him from his small-town roots to earning a college degree in entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Join us as Tyler shares his story of stepping int...

In this captivating episode of "The Purpose Hunter" podcast, guest host Kristin Tews takes the reins and interviews Matt Berrafato, a seasoned health insurance broker, professional speaker, author, and coach. With 41 years of experience serving clients in the insurance industry, Matt shares his inspiring journey of finding his purpose and how he now helps others do the same. After retiri...

In this captivating podcast episode, join us as we sit down with Blake Fisher, a true Renaissance man with a remarkable life journey. Hailing from a quaint town in Southeast Missouri, Blake's love for music led him to become the lead guitarist for a popular Midwest rock group during his college years at St. Louis University, where he majored in aerospace engineering. After graduation, Blake&#3...

Join us in this inspiring podcast episode featuring Barry Saltzman, a native New Yorker who spent 38 years in the city. Initially planning to follow in his father's footsteps as a CPA, Barry's journey took an unexpected turn when he switched from accounting to computer science during college. With a 12-year stint at a billion-dollar IT company, Barry gained valuable insights into successfu...

In this captivating episode, we delve into the inspiring life story of Roch Tranel, a self-made entrepreneur who overcame humble beginnings on a small farm in Monroe, Wisconsin, to establish The Tranel Financial Group, a highly successful wealth management firm. Join us as we explore the pivotal moments and experiences that shaped Roch's path, from his early struggles to his eventual triumphs....

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Kristin Tews, a remarkable entrepreneur and media personality, as she shares her experiences growing up in Morton Grove, a vibrant suburb of Chicago. Kristin's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at an early age through her father's restaurant business, laying the foundation for her future endeavors. After completing college, Kristin em...

In this captivating episode of our podcast, we sit down with Chris Johnson, a down-to-earth Midwesterner and an all-around good guy, hailing from Bloomington, Indiana. Chris shares his inspiring journey and the pivotal role his father played as his idol and mentor. Growing up, Chris and his father bonded over their shared passion for basketball, spending countless hours watching high school and co...

In this inspiring episode of our podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting a remarkable individual, Deacon Don Grossnickle, whose lifelong commitment to service and motivation has touched countless lives. Join us as we delve into the incredible journey of a man who, at the age of 74 and married for over 50 years, continues to make a profound difference in the world. Born and raised in the vibrant c...

In this captivating episode of our podcast, we delve into the incredible journey of Dan DiMaria , a remarkable individual who embarked on an inspiring quest to discover his life's purpose. Join us as we trace Dan's path from his humble beginnings in Niles, Illinois, through his formative years at Notre Dame High School and the University of Dayton, where he pursued a major in political sci...