Forged By Design

On this episode of Forged by Design, we welcomed Dr. Jackson Drumgoole, Army veteran, university professor, executive life coach, and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Builder Communities. With more than 20 years of experience in organizational change, leadership, and development, Dr. Drumgoole has dedicated his professional expertise to building organizations, developing leaders, a...

Augusta, Georgia, is experiencing a significant period of economic transformation—and this episode of Forged by Design takes listeners behind the scenes to understand how that transformation happens. In this conversation, Cal Wray and Justin Prince of the Augusta Economic Development Authority provide perspectives on the leadership, strategy, relationships, infrastructure, workforce development, a...

On this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast , we sat down with Joseph Ricciardelli , Partner at Tecla Consulting Inc., an international consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with organizations across Europe, the United States, India, Mexico, and Russia. Joseph is also an Associate Professor in Master’s studies for Entrepreneurs at CUOA and has contributed to scientific and i...

What happens when you look at an old or underutilized building and see not what it is—but what it could become? In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with John Hock, President of Hock Development Company, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset behind decades of industrial real estate development in the Augusta and CSRA region. John shares the story behind his journey into business and r...

What if a house is not just a place to live—but a foundation for a better future? In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with McKenzie Beech, Vice President of Mission and Community Impact at Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity, (www.augustahabitat.org) for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, community, and the transformational power of affordable housing. Augusta/CSRA Habit...

In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo sits down with Chuck McKee, founder of TrustVault®, for a meaningful conversation about trust, integrity, leadership, accountability, and the importance of proving who you are—not simply telling people who you are. Chuck brings a unique perspective shaped by more than 30 years of experience in finance, investigation, and leadership. F...

The Forged by Design Podcast had the extraordinary opportunity to sit down with Asian Brown, CEO and Owner of The Brunch House of Augusta, alongside his wife, Ashley Brown, for a conversation that went far beyond the story of a restaurant. It was a story about vision, faith, sacrifice, discipline, resilience, and the courage to build something meaningful when the circumstances seem anything but fa...

Yavia Muñiz is a CEO, master barber, and successful business owner whose journey is a testament to the power of discipline, humility, and perseverance. His passion for barbering began at just 14 years old, when he started cutting hair and apprenticed for two years, developing both his technical skills and an understanding of customer service, marketing, and business operations. Over the next decad...

In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast , Daniel Badillo sits down with Billy Bennett , CEO and co-founder of Pyramid ODI (www.pyramidodi.com), to explore what it truly  takes to build organizations where both people and performance thrive. Drawing from more than three decades of experience in organizational development, Billy shares why sustainable success is never achieved through proces...

In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo welcomes Lee Peck, District Training Officer for the Columbia County School District Police, to discuss one of every community's greatest responsibilities: protecting its schools. Drawing on 17 years of law enforcement experience, including service as a School Resource Officer, Lee shares practical insights on emergency preparedn...

In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with Stacey Sharp, Infrastructure Engineer and Director of Information Systems, whose passion for technology began at just six years old programming on a TRS-80 computer. With more than three decades of experience in IT, Stacey shares how the industry has evolved—from early personal computers and Linux to cloud computing and modern manufacturing env...

Featured on the Forged by Design podcast, Bobbie D. Jackson is an accomplished trainer, speaker, consultant, coach, entrepreneur, and organizational change agent dedicated to helping individuals, educators, nonprofit organizations, and businesses achieve sustainable growth through professional development and strategic training. As Chief Executive Officer of Augusta Training Center LLC, she leads...

Featured on the Forged by Design podcast, Antonio Bradley (thebradleyrealestategroup.com) shared insights on creating wealth, developing the right mindset, and applying discipline to achieve long-term success. Together, Antonio and Jasmin are raising seven children and remain committed to serving their community through real estate, education, and leadership. Antonio Bradley is a real estate inves...

This podcast focuses on personal accountability, self-improvement, and achieving meaningful goals through intentional performance management. The speaker challenges listeners to reflect on three key questions: What separates your performance from the average person? How are you measuring your progress? How do you hold yourself accountable when you fall short of expectations? The central message is...

Dani Parks is a purpose-driven mental health advocate, certified life and teen coach, author, and community leader who has turned personal pain into purpose and life’s trials into a powerful testimony of healing, resilience, and hope. Through her lived experiences, faith, mindfulness practices, and commitment to self-care, Dani discovered the transformative power of healing from within—and now ded...

In this episode, we welcomed Elliot Price, Augusta Regional Manager at Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), and a seasoned leadership and organizational development expert with more than 41 years of experience teaching Quality Management Systems, communication, and leadership principles to organizations across industries. Our conversation explored the human side of leadership, perf...

In this podcast, Daniel explains how informal workplace conversations—those casual discussions that happen in hallways, break rooms, parking lots, elevators, and conference rooms—can become valuable sources of innovation, organizational improvement, and strategic insight when handled properly. Unlike formal meetings with agendas and structured objectives, informal conversations allow employees to...

This podcast discusses the problem of arrogance in professional and personal environments, emphasizing that arrogance is often rooted in insecurity and the need for validation rather than true confidence. Using a quote from philosopher David Hume, the speaker introduces the idea that people are often most mistaken when they are overly certain and prideful. The podcast begins by describing the comp...

Effective leadership isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about creating the right atmosphere for people to achieve them. The “work atmosphere” is the emotional and social environment employees experience daily, shaped by leadership behavior, team dynamics, and communication. What Defines Work Atmosphere Employees experience workplace atmosphere through: Psychological safety – feeling safe to speak...

Yamil Santana explains that loneliness in leadership often stems from the unique social and psychological pressures of authority. Even when surrounded by people, leaders can feel isolated because power changes how others interact with them—conversations may become filtered, less authentic, or driven by hierarchy. This can make it harder for leaders to express vulnerability, leading them to suppres...

David Regal Jones is a man whose life reflects resilience, faith, and purpose. Growing up amid harsh adversities, he developed a strong sense of discipline and determination that would shape his future. From a young age, he showed a deep passion for music, aspiring to make a meaningful impact in the industry through his creative expression. During his high school years, David pursued fundamental b...

This podcast, Plan to Succeed , explains that success—whether in business or personal life—depends on intentional, structured planning rather than wishful thinking. A plan is defined as a clear, step-by-step roadmap that identifies what to do, when, where, how, and with whom. The speaker emphasizes that in today’s project-driven world, organizations and individuals alike must prepare thoroughly, b...

SFC Isaias Laureano’s story is one of early responsibility, steady growth, and a lifelong commitment to excellence, leadership, and service. From a young age, Laureano demonstrated an uncommon work ethic and curiosity for technical systems. At just 16 years old, he entered the demanding world of audio, video, and lighting (AVL) production—an environment where precision, timing, and adaptability ar...

Swaizy is a 24-year-old music artist and entrepreneur currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose work reflects a vibrant fusion of culture, creativity, and lived experience. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, into a military family, his upbringing was shaped by movement, discipline, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. The son of a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother, Swaizy embodie...

Carlos Nieves is a dedicated and compassionate educator with over seven years of teaching experience in Puerto Rico. At 38 years old, he brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to the development of young learners. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (Grades K–6), Carlos has built a strong foundation in creating engaging, inclusive, and student-centered le...