LifeExcellence with Brian Bartes

Olivia Weaver is one of the most accomplished squash players in American history, and a fixture among the world’s elite. Olivia has won 10 PSA titles, represented Team USA at multiple World Championships, and contributed to a historic gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games. Currently ranked among the world’s top four, she is the current U.S. National Champion. Olivia discusses the demands of co...

Tom Kuczmarski is an internationally recognized innovation expert, founder of Kuczmarski Innovation, and co-founder of Chicago Innovation. He has advised hundreds of organizations – from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, taught for over four decades at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and is the author of nine books on innovation and leadership. Tom discusses how to...

Susan Stroman is a five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer whose internationally acclaimed career spans Broadway, London’s West End, ballet, opera, and film. Best known for Crazy for You, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys, and The Producers, she is also a Theater Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement. Susan discusses storytelling through...

Dr. Derick “Sandy” Hulme is the Arthur L. Russell Professor of Political Science at Alma College, where he has taught since 1992. A nationally recognized leader in experiential education, Sandy directs Alma's award-winning Model United Nations, P-GLOBAL Fellowship, and Nationally Competitive Scholarship programs. Beyond the classroom, Sandy is perhaps equally well known for an extraordinary p...

Lucy Thomas is a British singer whose remarkable career began at age 14 on “The Voice Kids” in the UK. Renowned for her pure vocal tone and emotional performances, she has released six acclaimed studio albums and built a worldwide following of more than one million YouTube subscribers. In 2026, Lucy made her West End debut in the title role of Rosie, further establishing herself as one of the most...

Annie Kunz is a two-time U.S. champion, Olympian, and former professional heptathlete who represented Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished sixth in the world. A two-sport All-American in college, she competed at track and field’s highest level for nearly a decade. Today, Annie is an entrepreneur and mentor helping athletes optimize nutrition, mindset, and performance through a holist...

Brad Beeler retired after a distinguished 25-year career with the United States Secret Service, where he served on the protection detail for President George H. W. Bush and various foreign heads of state. As a federal polygraph examiner for 17 years, he secured numerous confessions in high-profile investigations and conducted the most criminal polygraph examinations in the agency’s history. Brad s...

Brent Pease and Kyle Pease are co-founders of the Kyle Pease Foundation, an organization creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities in sports, employment, and everyday life. In 2018, they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship. Together, they’ve completed over 100 races, inspired global audiences, raised more than $12 million, an...

Robert Emery is an award-winning conductor, pianist, composer and producer. He made his London piano debut at 13, first conducted at 17, and became the youngest conductor ever to work at the Sydney Opera House at 23. Robert has conducted leading orchestras worldwide and collaborated with artists including Meat Loaf, Russell Watson and Stewart Copeland. Robert shares the decision that changed every...

A former World #1, US Open and Wimbledon Champion, Stan Smith is Chairman of Stan Smith Events. His worldwide fame extends to the fashion world with the legendary Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoe, which has sold over 100 million pairs. Committed to giving back, Stan has been a driving force behind charitable efforts on Hilton Head, helping generate over $60 million for local causes through the Herita...

Linda McKissack is a real estate entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and co-author of the USA Today bestselling book, “Hold.” With over 35 years in the industry, she rebuilt from $600,000 in debt to become the #1 agent at Keller Williams and its top Profit Share earner. Now a franchise owner and mentor, Linda teaches entrepreneurs how to build lasting wealth through real estate and business, inspirin...

Michael Angelo Zervos is a filmmaker, director and producer who has collaborated with stars like Eminem, Denzel Washington, and James Harden, as well as brands including Ford, Google, and Activision Blizzard. In 2025, he completed a 499-day journey to all 195 countries, breaking two Guinness World Records as the fastest person to visit every sovereign nation. He is now writing “The Happiest Moment...

Christine Ohlman – "The Beehive Queen” – is a powerhouse vocalist best known as the featured singer with the Saturday Night Live Band, a role she has held for more than three decades. A National Blues Hall of Fame inductee, she has shared stages with legends like Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Costello. Simply put, Christine is one of rock and roll’s most enduring and electrifying...

James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Kevin Boehm has opened more than 50 restaurants over the past 30 years, building Boka Restaurant Group into one of the most celebrated hospitality companies in the world. With partner Rob Katz, he has launched over 40 acclaimed concepts, earning Michelin stars, national awards, and widespread recognition. In 2019, the duo won the James Beard Award for Outstan...

Ally Love is a Peloton instructor, TODAY show on-air contributor, and Founder & CEO of Love Squad, known for turning motivation into momentum. She has hosted Netflix’s Dance 100 , the Matrix Awards, and spent 11 seasons as an in-arena host for the Brooklyn Nets. As VP of Instructor Strategy & Development at Peloton, Ally has created series like “Sundays with Love” and “HIIT & Hills.” H...

Dave Pascoe is a biohacker and longevity athlete who, at 63, looks, feels, and performs decades younger. Epigenetic testing places his biological age at 43, with a pace of aging of 0.66 – about eight months per year. A top-ranked contender in global longevity competitions, Dave follows a disciplined, data-driven, and attainable approach, and openly shares his protocols, routines, and resources to...

Rhonda Walker is an award-winning journalist, philanthropist, and trusted Detroit news anchor. She co-anchors the weekday morning and noon newscasts at WDIV-Local 4 News, a role she has held since 2003. Rhonda is also the founder and president of the Rhonda Walker Foundation. Her signature “Girls into Women” mentoring program has achieved a 100% high school graduation and college enrollment rate,...

Scott O’Neill is one of Australia’s leading voices in property investment. A former civil engineer turned self-made investor, he achieved financial freedom by 28 and built the Rethink Group – a powerhouse spanning commercial and residential investing, finance, and renewables. His hands-on approach, deep market insight and relentless drive for excellence have positioned Rethink Group as one of the...

Laird Hamilton is a big wave surfer and a pioneer in the world of action water sports. Over the last decade, Laird has transcended from surfing to become an international fitness icon and nutrition expert. He is Co-Founder and Chief Innovator of Laird Superfood, and the author of several books. Laird has also appeared in a number of feature films and surfing documentaries, and on numerous televisi...

Hilde Dosogne is a Belgian ultrarunner who started running at 41 and quickly evolved into a world-class endurance athlete. In 2024, she set an extraordinary Guinness World Record by running 366 consecutive marathons in support of breast cancer research. A dedicated athlete, mother of four, and an inspiration to many, Hilde continues to push the limits of human endurance.

Mark Skousen, Ph. D. is a nationally known investment expert, economist, university professor and author of more than 25 books. Since 1980, he has been editor in chief of Forecasts & Strategies, a popular award-winning investment newsletter. Dr. Skousen is known as “America’s Economist,” and he has been identified as one of the 20 most influential living economists. 

Amy Mae Dolan is a World Champion Irish dancer. At just 19 years old, she became the youngest-ever Principal Dancer in the world-renowned, Grammy Award winning production, Riverdance. Amy Mae’s incredible artistry, unwavering determination, and tireless work ethic set her apart as a world-class performer, and also make her an inspiring leader both on and off the stage.

 Kevin Allen is a sports journalist and author who has written professionally for almost 50 years. He was USA Today's lead hockey writer from 1986 to 2019, and he has written more than 25 sports books. Kevin has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympic games, to the World Series, and NCAA basketball. Today, he covers the Detroit Red Wings for Detroit Hockey Now. 

Charlie Wetzel is the long-time writing partner of leadership expert John C. Maxwell. Charlie has been John’s writing partner for more than 30 years, and they have worked together on 120 books. Their incredibly successful collaboration has reached 36 million people, and produced six New York Times bestsellers. 

Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known around the world as “The Gardiner Brothers,” are the dynamic duo revolutionizing Irish dance! These 5x World Champions have captivated global audiences, amassing over 8 million followers and 1 billion+ views on social media. Former Riverdance principal dancers, they were the first brothers to achieve this honor.