Charge Forward Podcast

What if your child called you from prison to say he had to sleep with a knife just to survive?  For Tim Leeper , that horrifying moment became a painful turning point in a journey he never expected to take. His son Kylan entered Tennessee’s private prison system as a young man seeking redemption—but never made it out alive. In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Podcast, Tim shares the hea...

From Top Shelf to Legacy: The story of Fiyori Vodka Clarence Darkwa , founder of Fiyori Vodka & Johnnie Robinson , join the Charge Forward Podcast to share the incredible story of launching a premium vodka brand rooted in integrity, innovation, and intention. Fiyori isn’t just another bottle on the shelf—it’s redefining what luxury tastes like . With a clean finish, no harsh ethanol bite, and...

What happens when passion, purpose, and a pandemic pivot collide?   You get your pups favorite place - Groom Garage. In this inspiring episode of the Charge Forward Podcast , host Jim Cripps sits down with Holly Hartley , founder of Groom Garage in Ashland City, TN. From her early days grooming at PetSmart to launching a grooming salon in her garage during the COVID shutdowns, Holly shares how she...

What do you get when vision, values, and vanilla collide? The story of Joey Boykin , founder of Golly G’s Ice Cream , who built one of the top 25 creameries in the U.S. from the ground up—starting with a dream of old-school charm and a smiling ‘G’. In this episode of the Charge Forward Podcast , Joey shares how he: 🎯 Built the brand first , product second—creating a 1950s-inspired ice cream shop...

🎙️ Part 2: The Truth About Financial Confidence – With Eddie Knight Integrity. Alignment. Real Strategy. In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Eddie Knight , financial advisor at 1847 Financial, we go deeper than rates and returns. Eddie and host Jim Cripps peel back the layers of personal finance to reveal what truly drives financial confidence —and it’s not a product, a rate of...

Money isn’t just numbers—it’s about balance, purpose, and protection. In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Podcast , financial advisor Eddie Knight of 1847 Financial joins host Jim Cripps to tackle one of the most common problems in personal finance: disorganized, disconnected decisions that leave families vulnerable. Eddie shares how his unlikely transition from biology and forensics in...

🎙️ Sense, Scale & Strategy: How Elite Companies Use AI, Data & Human Connection – with Nick Hiter What happens when you combine world-class data strategies, AI innovation, and real human connection? You get the blueprint for sustainable business growth—and this episode lays it all out. Join Nick Hiter (serial entrepreneur, SiriusXM radio voice, and brand builder) as he teams up with Jim Cr...

Your Vision Sets the Ceiling: Resilience, Reinvention & Branding Brilliance with Amber Kerby What happens when a literal tornado levels your business—and you rebuild even better? Meet Amber Kerby , the powerhouse behind BB Printing Co , who transformed disaster into growth and a traditional print shop into a full-scale branding solutions company. In this episode of the Charge Forward Podcast ,...

What’s the one decision that could make or break your success? According to this collection of powerful stories from top performers and entrepreneurs—it’s your choice of mentor and spouse . In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Podcast , host Jim Cripps sits down with a variety of inspiring guests— Chris Neville, Nick Hiter, Virgil Herring, Jason Lewis, Colby Jubenville, El Lagutin, Caris...

Authenticity Wins: How Jordan Grubbs Built a Social Media Empire Through Consistency & Connection In today’s digital world, authenticity is the ultimate currency —and no one understands that better than Jordan Grubbs , Founder & CEO of Influence Media Marketing Company . From managing social media for Belmont University’s Center for Entrepreneurship to building a thriving agency serving sm...

What does it take to build a business that thrives for decades? Larry Schmittou, the man who brought professional baseball back to Nashville and built a thriving bowling empire, reveals his secrets to leadership, longevity, and purpose in this must-watch episode of the Charge Forward Podcast. At 84 years old , Schmittou still leads 500+ employees across multiple Strike & Spare bowling centers...

Step into the incredible journey of Larry Schmittou , a Nashville sports legend whose passion for baseball led to an unexpected but remarkable legacy in bowling and entertainment .  From coaching high school baseball to founding the Nashville Sounds , Larry’s visionary leadership helped redefine sports and recreation in Music City. In this episode, we explore: ⚾ How Larry brought professional bas...

What happens when a manufacturing expert transitions into a cutting-edge IT leader?   Brandon Hurst, Director of IT and Business Systems at Troy Industries, joins the Charge Forward Podcast to share his journey of adaptability, innovation, and leadership in the tech-driven world of manufacturing. 🔹 From managing operations to leading digital transformation, Brandon’s unconventional career path hi...

 Innovation Unleashed: The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs & Problem Solvers – Part 2 with Jeremy Qualls  What happens when young minds are given the tools, mentorship, and freedom to innovate?  In Part 2 of our conversation with Jeremy Qualls , we dive into the incredible stories of student entrepreneurs and changemakers who are redefining what’s possible through creativity, resilience, and...

What if high school wasn't just about textbooks and tests, but about real-world business experience, industry mentorship, and innovation ?  That’s exactly what Jeremy Qualls, Director of the Entrepreneur & Innovation Center (EIC) in Williamson County , has built—a game-changing educational model that prepares students for success in entrepreneurship and beyond. In this episode, we explore...

Missed an episode? New to The Charge Forward Podcast ? This is your one-stop shop for the most powerful insights, biggest lessons, and unforgettable moments from our Recent guests ! From overcoming impossible odds to scaling businesses, mastering leadership, and transforming health , this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom from some of the best minds in business, health, and personal develo...

What does it take to build a thriving business from the ground up—literally? Jessica Quinn, founder of Quintegrity , joins us on the Charge Forward Podcast to share her journey from working in nurseries to leading one of Middle Tennessee’s most respected landscape design firms. In this inspiring episode, we dive into the art of designing outdoor spaces that not only enhance properties but also ali...

The Cost of Opportunity: Dr. Rolly Lagutin’s Journey of Sacrifice and Love What would you sacrifice to secure a better future for your family? In this deeply moving episode, we honor the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Rolly Lagutin (1950–2024) , a man who made an unparalleled sacrifice to transform his family’s destiny. Through the heartfelt perspective of his son, we journey through the remarkable s...

From Military Missions to Wellness Innovations: Steve & Breanna Price on Health, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience Description: Kick off 2025 with an inspiring episode of the Charge Forward Podcast featuring Steve and Breanna Price, the dynamic duo behind Libertas Cryo and Radiant Roots Coaching. Drawing from their military backgrounds—Steve as a Green Beret and Breanna as a dedicated veteran—t...

Skin to Soul: The Healing Journey with Anna DiCarlo – Part 2 In the conclusion of our powerful two-part series with Anna DiCarlo, founder of La Belle Naturelle, we dive deeper into the transformative power of communication, decision-making, and personal growth. Anna shares her unique perspective on thriving through discomfort, the value of a positive mindset during setbacks, and the profound impac...

Why do we often forget about Soul or Self? Welcome to the Charge Forward Podcast and the kickoff of 2025! This January, we’re focusing on health, wellness, and self-care, and we couldn’t think of a better way to begin than with a powerful two-part series featuring Anna DiCarlo, the founder of La Belle Naturelle. Anna is on a mission to redefine skincare and wellness through her holistic, organic a...

Ever wonder how an engineer could seamlessly transition into the world of law? Meet "The Fixer" Quinton Horner, my best friend of 35 years, who did just that and joins us on the Charge Forward podcast to share his captivating journey. Quinton's unique story begins with the poignant loss of his father, driving him to pursue a career where truth and accuracy reign supreme. Discover ho...

Title: From the Field to the Skies: Chris Neville on Resilience, Innovation, and Legacy Description: What does it take to go from climbing telephone poles as an AT&T technician to leading sales at DirecTV while building a groundbreaking drone videography business? In this inspiring episode, Chris Neville shares his journey of resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial innovation. Discover how...

Veterans Affairs: Empowering Veterans to Claim What They Deserve Description: Navigating the labyrinth of Veterans Affairs benefits can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Podcast, I sit down with my dad, James Cripps, and veteran advocate Don Smith to uncover the truth behind the VA’s dual-structure system, where the Veterans Health...

From Security to Supercars: Janis Lasmanis' Journey to Automotive Excellence Description: How does a car enthusiast from Latvia go from guarding Prince Charles and Eminem to becoming Middle Tennessee’s go-to specialist for exotic cars? Meet Janis Lasmanis, the founder of Corsair Detail, whose remarkable story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence. In this...