Backseat Ballers

He was making millions in subprime mortgages—until the 2008 financial crisis wiped out his entire industry. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Steve Blackwell, co-founder of Invito Energy Partners, breaks down what it was like to lose his career at 36, go years with no income, and rebuild from scratch in oil and gas. From running massive teams in finance to starting over with no clear path, this...

Dewayne spent over 20 years working in the insurance industry before making a decision many people never do: leaving the security of a steady job at 45 to bet on himself and become a business owner. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, we talk about what it really takes to walk away from stability, build something from the ground up, and navigate the challenges that come with entrepreneurship late...

At 21 years old, he borrowed $37,500 and put $12,500 down to break into the high-stakes world of commodities trading. Inside the 1980s Kansas City wheat pits, one mistake could cost you everything. He didn’t just survive — he rose to Chairman of the Exchange. hen life hit harder than the markets ever could. After surviving kidney cancer, he lost his wife to H1N1 at just 36 years old — leaving him...

He thought he was doing the right thing — until he was arrested in Mexico, threatened at gunpoint, and thrown into a federal prison with no trial and a life sentence. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Rocky Malloy tells a story that sounds fake but isn’t: Mexican authorities, brutal prison conditions, torture he witnessed firsthand, and the moment he believed he was about to die. What happened...

Mike Bone has lived through the kind of loss no parent should ever experience — and it changed everything. In this episode, Elliot sits down with Mike to talk about the hardest moment of his life, how he rebuilt his marriage, his purpose, and his career, and what he learned about resilience, discipline, and meaning along the way. Today, Mike runs two successful dog-training businesses in Kansas Ci...

Melissa Morris returns — this time in the studio — to share how listening to quiet spiritual promptings and trusting her faith and intuition have shaped her life, business, and outlook. From animals sensing kindness to prayers answered over patio stones and theme-park lines, Melissa opens up about living with purpose, recognizing divine nudges, and finding meaning in everyday moments. It’s an hone...

Gabe Brown dropped out of high school, struggled with alcoholism, served time in prison, and got fired with a mortgage, a stay-at-home wife, and kids depending on him. With just $3,000, no backup plan, and everything on the line, he bet on himself—and went on to build a $3 million business employing nearly 20 people. In this episode, Gabe breaks down the real turning points: accountability, faith,...

Most modern men feel lost — stuck in jobs they hate, avoiding risk, and disconnected from real purpose. In this episode, Elliot sits down with Michael Bone to unpack hard truths about work, success, entrepreneurship, masculinity, and why so many men struggle to find direction today. Michael reflects on over three decades in corporate America, how working his way up into finance and leadership role...

What happens when one of Google’s top quantum engineers decides his real mission is ending global poverty? In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Elliot sits down with Austin Fowler — quantum error-correction expert, Coursera educator, and founder of Stairway Invest — to explore how cutting-edge technology and ethical investing can unlock opportunity for millions. Austin shares how his work in quant...

Neighbors Tried to Shut Her Down — Now She Runs a Savannah Cat Empire. Melissa Morris isn’t your average entrepreneur. After taking out a $60,000 loan to chase her dream of breeding Savannah cats, she was hit with government pushback, neighborhood complaints, and constant setbacks. Instead of quitting, she turned that pressure into purpose — building one of the most respected exotic-cat breeding p...

This is not your average American Dream episode. In this Backseat Ballers special, we spotlight the I AM Foundation and the real impact they’re making on youth in Kansas City. In this special feature, Elliot sits down with leaders and change makers proving that greatness isn’t accidental — it’s chosen. Featuring Martin Taggart, Mike Rivera, and Elijah Dormeus, this episode highlights a mission tha...

He didn’t start with money, connections, or a perfect plan — just knocking on doors and mowing lawns at 14. In this episode, Ryan Christopher shares the real story behind becoming a multi-business owner — from early independence and failure to owning Smoothie King franchises, building mastermind groups, and coaching entrepreneurs across multiple industries. We talk honestly about what entrepreneur...