Flex Forward

In this inspiring episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Danny Bush, founder and CEO of Fun on the Run Plus One, a mobile app revolutionizing how people connect in real life. Danny shares how his platform uses predictive AI to assess mental health and combat loneliness by instantly linking users over shared interests. From anime to networking, Fun on the Run Plus One helps people find community and j...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Earl Kilbride, a seasoned orthopedic surgeon and partner at the Austin Orthopedic Institute. Earl shares his journey from New Orleans to Austin, including his time as a collegiate baseball player, his medical training across Dallas and Los Angeles, and his unique path into orthopedic medicine. Earl reflects on the changes...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. John Burns, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Dallas. John shares his journey from medical school to building his own thriving cosmetic surgery practice. He opens up about the personal and professional challenges he’s faced, including self-doubt, the grind of entrepreneurship, and stepping into the world of market...

In this insightful episode of the Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Vince Porter, the founder of Porter & Company CPAs. Vince shares how his firm uniquely serves real estate syndicators by delivering high-level tax compliance and advisory services. But Vince isn't your average CPA—he's also an investor himself, giving him a dual perspective that many in the industry find invalua...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Karl Waggoner, Director of Supply Chain and Logistics at Mammoth Freighters. Karl shares the unique work being done at Mammoth—converting retired Boeing 777 passenger planes into high-performing freighters—and what sets their team and technology apart in the aerospace industry. Karl opens up about his career journey, whic...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet talks with Stephen Eisele, CEO of Lone Star Data Holdings and a longtime leader in the aerospace and space innovation sectors. Stephen shares how his career in space technology launched—literally—from working on missile defense projects to being involved with NASA, Virgin Orbit, and more. Stephen unpacks the explosive growth of private...

In this inspiring episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Candice Branch, the passionate founder of Excel Employment Services, LLC. Candice shares her powerful journey from special education teacher to entrepreneur, where she now leads efforts to place individuals—especially those with disabilities and visual impairments—into meaningful employment. Candice opens up about ho...

In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Kuang Han Ke, chairman of Gran Systems, to explore how small satellites are shaping the future of space missions. Kuang shares the remarkable journey of Gran Systems—from its origins in Taiwan to establishing a U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas, near the Houston Spaceport. He dives into the company’s innovations, including producing palm-sized satellit...

In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Hilary Soderborg, owner of The Healthy Glow in Corpus Christi, Texas. A registered nurse turned entrepreneur, Hilary shares her journey from ICU nurse to launching a successful spray tanning and teeth whitening business. Her passion for sunless tanning was born from personal experience, including a skin cancer scare, and a drive to help others stay safe...

In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Karen E. Todd, a registered dietitian and marketing expert in the dietary supplement space. Karen shares her unique blend of science and marketing experience working with Kiwahako, a global raw ingredient supplier. From the clinical research behind ingredients to helping consumers navigate the crowded world of supplements, Karen offers a clear look at ho...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with David Ewers, Senior Director of Information Technology at Heart to Heart Hospice. With over 30 years in the tech space, including a decade in post-sales and a strong background in cybersecurity, David shares how he's navigating the evolving healthcare IT landscape. You’ll hear how David balances security with operational effic...

In this inspiring episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, we meet Nichole Daher, founder and CEO of Success on the Spectrum. What began as a personal journey to find care for her autistic stepdaughter turned into a national movement to provide long-term ABA therapy to children and teens often left behind by the system. Nichole shares how her frustration with limited care options led...

In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Marc Iacobucci, Head of Corporate Development at Nanology and a pharmacist by training, to explore how his company is advancing cancer treatment. From his early beginnings as a Chick Evans Scholar to his leadership role in pioneering intratumoral drug delivery, Marc shares the remarkable journey that led to Nanology’s development of LSAM technology—large...

Rose Murillo brings over two decades of hands-on HR experience—from temp to CHRO—to the conversation with Nic. She shares how listening, emotional intelligence, and a passion for people have shaped her career in employee relations and organizational consulting. Listeners will hear Rose discuss: Her journey through various industries including manufacturing, retail, and higher ed What sets her apar...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Keo Velasquez, Corporate Director of Operations at Forefront Living. Keo shares his remarkable career journey from professional chef to senior living executive, diving into how his experience in hospitality shaped his leadership style and ability to connect with people—especially seniors and their families. The conversation ex...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Brady Stevenson, Head of Talent Acquisition at Virta Health. Brady shares his inspiring journey from joining Virta as one of its early team members to helping grow the company from 50 to over 1,000 employees. With a mission to reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity through nutrition, Virta Health is changing the way we approach c...

Nic Espanet sits down with Chandler Hunt, owner of Sentinel Canine and Delta Autos, to unpack what it takes to launch and grow successful businesses in two very different industries. Chandler talks about the lessons he’s learned from the military that help him run high-efficiency operations. He shares practical advice on customer service, managing logistics, building passive income, and overcoming...

In this episode, host Nic Espanet sits down with Stephen Curry, founder of Endurance Advisory Partners and a seasoned banking executive. With a career spanning mergers, acquisitions, digital banking, and executive leadership at institutions like Bank of America, Gateway, and Beal Bank, Stephen shares how embracing personal risk and change opened doors to new opportunities. Listeners will hear Step...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Adam Roberts, co-founder of A&E Investments, to talk about the evolution of his investment journey—from flipping single-family homes to scaling into multifamily, mortgage notes, and oil & gas. Adam shares insights into what sets his investment firm apart, why transparency and communication are non-negotiables, and...

In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Angel Flores, a multifamily broker deeply rooted in the DFW real estate scene. Angel shares his journey from Navy nuclear program and chemical engineering to building a career in real estate investment and multifamily brokerage. Angel opens up about what sets him apart from other brokers, how he values relationships over transactions, and his perspective...

In this insightful episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Eddie DeCurtis, CEO and co-founder of Sush, to explore the future of digital identity and network authentication. Eddie shares how his company is reshaping online security by eliminating outdated two-factor authentication and enabling seamless, secure logins using mobile network data. Eddie opens up about his e...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet welcomes Manuel Newburger, Vice President at Barron & Newburger, a law firm specializing in consumer financial services law. With over 42 years of legal experience, Manuel brings a unique perspective from having worked on both the consumer and industry sides of litigation. Manuel shares his insights on what it means to practice with...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Perry Lunsford, founder of Healthy Insurance Dude, for an honest and high-energy conversation about entrepreneurship, health insurance, and the life lessons that come from failure. Perry opens up about his unconventional journey into the insurance world, how past business failures shaped his success, and why he believes t...

From civil engineering to civil litigation, Deniz Kilic’s career journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Deniz joins Nic Espanet to share how his background in engineering shaped his legal career and why he's passionate about solving problems efficiently—not perfectly. He opens up about immigrating from Turkey, building a life in Texas, and how failure and growth go hand-in-hand. Deniz...

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Joseph Perlman, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 40 years of experience, to explore how plastic surgery and regenerative medicine are evolving to meet the needs of today’s aging population. Based in The Woodlands, TX, Dr. Perlman shares insights from his decades-long career, his approach to individualized p...