Direct or Detour

What happens when a Special Forces operator turns his mission toward healing? Tim Thomas has transformed the lives of countless veterans by pioneering mental health recovery programs in Australia. Now, he's sharing his expertise on Direct Or Detour . In this extended episode, we dive deep into critical topics like veteran mental health, overcoming fear, mastering resilience, and the profound impac...

From navigating childhood adversity to becoming a beacon of hope for neurodiverse communities, Thomas Wilson has transformed personal challenges into a mission of empowerment. As a writer, business owner, advocate, and sensory-friendly events specialist , Thomas has dedicated his life to storytelling and mentorship, creating spaces where individuals can embrace their unique strengths. His work has...

Doug Katz’s journey has been anything but predictable. A West Point graduate, disabled Army veteran, and seasoned professional across multiple industries, Doug’s latest mission is personal—helping people regain independence in the kitchen. After facing upper extremity impairments and caregiving for an aging loved one, he realized how challenging cooking can be for those with mobility limitations....

When Derek Hales and his wife set out to buy a new mattress in 2014, they never expected it would lead to a full-fledged career in mattress testing. What started as a hobby project reviewing a couple of beds online turned into a booming business, with Derek testing over 410 mattresses and helping millions make smarter sleep decisions. Now, as the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com , Derek...

After years navigating the corporate world, Lorraine Ball decided enough was enough. Tired of glass ceilings and office politics, she took a bold leap into entrepreneurship, building a thriving career as a marketing expert, author, and speaker. Now, through her podcast More than a Few Words , she shares invaluable insights to help small business owners grow. In this episode, Lorraine unpacks her j...

In this episode of Direct Or Detour , we chat with Lance Cayko, a multi-talented serial entrepreneur, architect, and builder. Lance takes us through his incredible journey—from working in nearly every construction trade to co-founding F9 Productions, one of the premier design + build firms in Longmont, Colorado. With a passion for innovation and quality craftsmanship, Lance has built a successful...

What does it take to bring Japan’s best-kept secret to the world stage? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , we sit down with Christopher Pellegrini , a leading expert in shochu and awamori , Japan’s indigenous spirits. From writing the first English book on shochu to judging international spirits competitions and co-hosting multiple podcasts, Christopher shares his journey navigating cultural br...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we welcome Steve Gallegos—widely known as "America's Ambassador on Success." A true renaissance man, Steve’s journey spans roles as a U.S. Marine Sergeant, law enforcement officer, singer-songwriter, recording artist, civil trial lawyer, photographer, award-winning author, and international speaker. With a mission to help you rewrite your life’s script, Steve...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we welcome Angela Fowler—a coach, consultant, and speaker on a mission to help organizations tap into the $2.1 trillion buying power of people with disabilities. As a businesswoman who is totally blind, Angela offers a unique perspective on transforming challenges into opportunities by making products and services accessible and user-friendly. Her practical, n...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we sit down with Ken Cox, President of Rivercity Internet Group and the visionary behind InLink.com. Passionate about empowering small businesses and solopreneurs, Ken shares insights from his journey and explains how his innovative platform provides a comprehensive suite of business tools—designed to streamline operations, boost productivity, and help entrepr...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we sit down with Drewbie Wilson , a dedicated entrepreneur, leader, and motivator who knows what it takes to push past limits. From transforming his health by losing over 100 pounds to climbing the ranks from tech support to Vice President of a multi-million-dollar consulting company, Drewbie has embraced every challenge with confidence and grit. Join us as we...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we sit down with Ben Albert , a podcast host, marketing expert, and founder of Real Business Connections and Balbert Marketing . Ben’s journey began humbly as a dishwasher in his teens, but through hard work, strategic networking, and a passion for helping others, he built a thriving business and a respected podcast network. Join us as we discuss the key momen...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we’re joined by Tanya Brody, a Full-Stack Direct Response Copywriter and Email Marketing Consultant. With a wealth of experience working with marketing technology companies, information marketers, and small to medium-sized businesses, Tanya has dedicated her career to helping business owners strengthen their relationships with subscribers through effective ema...

In this episode of Direct or Detour, we sit down with Tom Gledhill, an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and small business advocate. With decades of experience founding, building, and selling companies, Tom is on a mission to tackle the challenges small business owners face, especially as many struggle to sell their companies in today’s market. His innovative Xitplus program offers hope and solu...

In this episode of Direct or Detour, we’re joined by Bert terHart, a remarkable adventurer, entrepreneur, and author who has a talent for tackling the impossible. From solo, non-stop global sailing expeditions to paddling across Canada’s waterways, Bert’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. A lifelong advocate for citizen science and oceanography, his work has made a global impact, blending...

This week on Direct or Detour, we’re joined by Anna Przy, a fearless content creator with over 1.4 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Known for her hilarious takes, heartfelt advice, and iconic catchphrases like “Keep it up, cutie,” Anna inspires her community to reject hustle culture and embrace their true selves. From leaving a stable career to embarking on a mental health comedy tou...

In this episode of Direct or Detour, we welcome Arlene Cohen Miller, a Work-Life Balance Coach and Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. Arlene’s unique journey spans a diverse background as a Colorado attorney, Certified Meditation Facilitator, and holder of a Diploma in Transformational Holistic Counseling from Australia. Discover how Arlene’s path led her to e...

This episode of Direct or Detour features the one and only Matthew Lesko, famously recognized as the 'Question Mark Guy.' Known for his vibrant infomercials and tireless dedication to helping Americans access grants and benefits, Matthew has sold over four million books and continues to empower others through his platform, Lesko Help . At 81 years old, Matthew is still on a mission to connect peop...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we welcome Robert J. Hunt, known as "The Accountability Guy" and ranked in the top 1% of podcast guests globally on PodMatch. Robert is a business owner, Executive Coach, and co-author of Nobody Cares...Until You Do , a powerful book on the transformative power of accountability. With over two decades of experience helping leaders achieve their goals, Robert b...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we chat with Jon Clemence, the creator and owner of Cedar Press Proofreading, LLC. After a 15-year corporate career that took an unexpected turn during the COVID pandemic, Jon built a thriving business offering expert editing and writing services. Now leading a team that helps businesses craft compelling content, Jon shares his journey and valuable lessons for...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we’re joined by Seth Goldstein, a former journalist turned digital marketing trailblazer and podcast host. Seth’s journey from the high-energy world of newsrooms to building a successful digital marketing agency is nothing short of inspiring. As the host of Entrepreneur's Enigma , Seth shares his experiences and highlights the triumphs and challenges of naviga...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we welcome Charles Sims, a seasoned tech evangelist, investor, and former CTO with over 15 years of experience in technology, sports, and entertainment. Charles has worked on high-stakes deals totaling over $1.5 billion and served as CTO for both the LA Clippers and United Talent Agency, driving groundbreaking innovation in their industries. Today, Charles sha...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we sit down with Christian Espinosa, a bestselling author, dynamic entrepreneur, and thought leader in cybersecurity. Christian shares his transformative journey—from his turbulent upbringing to becoming the compassionate global citizen and successful founder of Blue Goat Cyber. He’s the author of The Smartest Person in the Room and The In-Between: Life in the...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we chat with Paul Lloyd Hemphill, a best-selling author, engaging speaker, and talented videographer. Paul shares how he helps families strengthen their connections through storytelling, drawing lessons from history to inspire meaningful conversations between parents and children. Paul's journey offers a compelling perspective on the power of creativity and de...

In this episode of Direct or Detour , we sit down with Eric McHugh, President of SHOPX Web3 eCommerce and Co-Founder of Dataing, an AI-powered matchmaking platform. Eric’s fascinating career spans founding a VC-funded SaaS platform, working at Snap, and consulting Fortune 500 companies through challenging transitions. With a passion for chess, fine cuisine, and meditation, Eric’s journey offers un...