Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

I can confidently say I laughed more during this episode than any other on The Enthusiastic Life Podcast. It was an absolute blast sitting down with Brian Katz of Umbrelic and Anchor Bay Entertainment . We had a wide-ranging, fun, and thoughtful conversation that covered everything from career paths to pop culture debates. In this episode, we talk about: 🎬 How Brian got his start in the film indu...

In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Claude Molinari, President & CEO of Visit Detroit, one of the most influential voices shaping the region’s growth, reputation, and momentum. Claude shares an inside look at Detroit’s continued resurgence — from major events and tourism strategy to economic impact and regional collaboration. He discusses what it takes to m...

In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast , Brendan sits down with Kerry Duggan , a nationally recognized climate & energy expert, CEO of SustainabiliD , and senior advisor to leaders across government, tech, and industry. Kerry has worked at the highest levels — including advising the Obama-Biden Administration — and now helps organizations develop real solutions for climate, infrastru...

In Episode 11, we sit down with Peter VanDyke, the visionary founder and CEO of VVK Marketing & PR. Based in Detroit and already making waves, Peter shares how he built a modern communications agency that blends PR, video, and brand storytelling — and why he says “yes” to opportunity until it demands otherwise. From scaling a team in just a few years, acquiring national-level expertise, and re...

In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Armond Rashad Harris — a creator, entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader whose work spans photography, filmmaking, fitness, and youth development. Armond is the owner of JABs Gym in Eastern Market and the founder of a growing mentorship and leadership community dedicated to empowering Detroit’s young people through guidan...

In this episode, Brendan sits down with Rob Barr, Director of Athletics & Facilities at the Detroit Athletic Club and founder of The Performance Mindset, a coaching program helping people unlock their highest potential. Rob shares his passion for growth mindset, abundant thinking, and what it takes to lead within an organization that consistently performs at the highest level. From elevating t...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sean Cassleman , founder of Mission Metabolic Health , to talk about the intersection of fitness, medicine, and longevity. Dr. Cassleman grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan , played football at John Carroll University , and went on to study medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine . With over a decade of experience practicing Intern...

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Burris , an Intellectual Property Attorney, pilot, and founder of Burris Law . Kelly’s journey spans from the ice rink at Western Michigan University , where she celebrated a National Championship win, to the skies as a licensed pilot, and now to the courtroom protecting innovation and invention. We talk about her love for aeronautical engineering , the disc...

EPISODE 05 — Taking the Leap with Lori McColl: Entrepreneurship, AI, and Belief in Yourself In this powerful conversation, Brendan Walsh sits down with Detroit-based entrepreneur Lori McColl , a visionary leader helping companies unlock growth through AI agents and automation. Lori opens up about the scary but rewarding journey of stepping out on your own, navigating the risks of entrepreneurship,...

ELP EPISODE 5 — From Hockey Rinks to 100-Mile Races with Nick Gibbs In this episode, Brendan Walsh sits down with Nick Gibbs—a third-generation leader at his family’s machinery company and an unstoppable endurance athlete who made a wild leap from competitive hockey to the world of ultramarathons. We explore: 🔥 How Nick went from lacing up skates to running 100+ mile races 🏔️ What it takes to tra...

In this episode of "Enthusiastic Life," host Brendan Walsh sits down with Andrew Stein, President and CEO of the Children's Foundation in Detroit. Andrew shares his journey from the legal industry to leading a nonprofit, discussing the impact of his work and the vision for the Children's Foundation. Discover insights into leadership, philanthropy, and the importance of communit...

EPISODE SUMMARY: Sailing, Storytelling & Detroit Roots with Sandi Svoboda In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life , Brendan Walsh and producer Ryan Dewan sit down with longtime friend and trailblazing sailor Sandi Svoboda —incoming Commodore at Bayview Yacht Club. From swapping sailing stories that span decades to discussing Sandi’s impressive media career and community work, this episode is...

In this episode of the Enthusiastic Life podcast, host Brendan Walsh interviews Lee Padgett, the CEO and founder of Busted Bra Shop. Lee shares her unique journey from military service to entrepreneurship, detailing the challenges and triumphs of starting a specialty bra boutique that caters to a wide range of sizes. The conversation explores the importance of proper bra fitting, the supportive en...

Summary: In this inaugural episode of the Enthusiastic Life podcast, host Brendan interviews Dr. Joseph Daniel Hoste, the Vice President of Operations at Crossroads of Michigan. They discuss Joseph's unique journey from a career in music to nonprofit leadership, the vital work Crossroads does in supporting clients living in poverty, and the importance of providing essential documents to those...