The Beacon Way

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes a special guest, Steve Koscik, who has been the fractional CFO at Beacon for the past three years. Steve shares his extensive background, having previously served as a CFO for a Toyota-based material handling company.  He discusses the substantial benefits of fractional CFO services, including financial clarity, KPI setup,...

Most organizations focus on ROI—but what about VOI? In this episode, CRO Ken Okonek breaks down the concept of VOI (Value on Investment) and why it’s essential for behavioral health organizations and mission-driven businesses to understand it. While ROI tracks dollars in vs. dollars out, VOI looks at the real-world impact of your marketing: community trust, patient engagement, reputation, and long...

Join Ken Okonek, CRO of Beacon Media + Marketing, on this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast as he delves into the crucial subject of calculating a true ROI in digital marketing. Ken discusses common misconceptions, important metrics, and practical strategies for understanding and maximizing ROI beyond simple revenue calculations. Learn about the significance of baseline business metrics, the compl...

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Dr. Monica Estes, a Navy veteran, endodontist, and founder of a rapidly growing dental group with three South Carolina locations. Dr. Monica shares her journey from dental school to military service to launching a practice straight out of residency—an uncommon but intentional leap. Together, they unpack the mindset s...

In this episode of The Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Scott and Brian Seideman to discuss their innovative new app, Theo, which leverages AI to support teens struggling with mental health issues. Brian, a licensed therapist, shares his extensive background working with a variety of populations, while Scott explains the personal experiences that led to the development of...

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes Loralyn Mears, co-founder of HELPipedia. They delve into HELPipedia's initiatives in transforming education for high school students, especially those with special needs.  Loralyn shares the story behind the creation of HELPipedia, its mission to provide safe spaces and resources for youth development, and their pivot...

In this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, CEO Adrienne Wilkerson is joined by CRO Ken Okonek to discuss exciting updates at Beacon Media + Marketing.  They announce the transition of co-founder Jennifer Christensen to her new passion projects and share their enthusiasm for the future of Beacon. The discussion covers the company's renewed mission and vision, their commitment to quality in the...

In this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes Josh Troche, owner of Pedal Stomper Productions, to discuss the intricacies of podcasting and video production for business marketing.  Josh shares his journey from starting a YouTube channel at a semi-truck dealership to running a full-fledged production company specializing in photo, video, and podcast content. The conve...

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes Gerry Gadoury, a 25-year veteran of the tech professional services industry. Gerry discusses his diverse career, which includes roles as a recruiter, salesperson, manager, consultant, trainer, executive, speaker, author, and business owner. He shares insights about his Destination Employer Methodology, aimed at helping startups...

Join host Adrienne Wilkerson in this *solo* episode of The Beacon Way podcast as we explore the critical role of authenticity and consistency in branding for behavioral health clinics.  Learn how a strong, reliable brand presence can boost revenue, build trust, and connect with patients meaningfully. Discover practical tips on leveraging personal stories, digital marketing, and AI tools to enhance...

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host, Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes special guest Peter House, CEO & Founder of DeepTree, a managed IT and cybersecurity service provider.  With a history dating back to fourth grade, the two professionals discuss the transition from wearing multiple hats as a founder to becoming a CEO. Peter shares his journey, including the pivotal moment of a traumat...

Welcome to another episode of the Beacon Way Podcast! In this episode, host Adrienne Wilkerson dives deep into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize personalized marketing, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses.  Learn about AI-driven strategies like predictive analytics, dynamic content creation, and advanced customer segmentation. Adrienne also discusses the imp...

Join the award-winning executive team of Beacon Media + Marketing on The Beacon Way Podcast as they host Mitchell Beinhaker, a seasoned business law and estate planning attorney with over three decades of experience.  In this episode, Adrienne and Mitchell discuss the vital aspects of legal considerations for business owners, from drafting contracts to handling commercial leases and structuring mu...

The way people search is changing fast — and if your content isn’t keeping up, you’re already falling behind. In this solo episode of The Beacon Way, Adrienne breaks down the best practices for SEO and GEO optimization in 2025, and how AI is completely reshaping the game. Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or marketer, this episode will help you understand how to stay relevant in se...

Your website is more than a digital storefront—it’s often your only shot at winning a customer’s trust. But what really makes a website memorable (and effective)? In this solo episode of The Beacon Way, Adrienne Wilkerson breaks down the power of UX/UI design and why it’s absolutely essential for small business growth. From boosting conversions to shaping your brand message, Adrienne shares practi...

Join us for this dynamic episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, where host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Josh Pitchford, Principal at Sandler Training Atlanta – Sales Engine. Known for his practical, no-fluff approach to selling and leadership, Josh shares what really moves the needle in modern sales teams, and what holds most of them back. Discover how Josh uses the Sandler Selling System to help...

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Beacon Way podcast, featuring Stephanie Sweeny, the founder of Women's Mental Health Specialists and a certified nurse midwife. Stephanie shares her journey, challenges, and the unique care model she has developed to address gaps in women's mental health care.  From her personal experiences with depression and anxiety to her approach to holistic, c...

Navigating Wealth Management with Dustin Serviss   Welcome to another episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, hosted by Adrienne Wilkerson. In this episode, Adrienne is joined by Dustin Serviss, the founder of Service Wealth, who shares his journey and insights into wealth management. Established in 2005, Service Wealth focuses on helping business owners and successful families navigate the complexitie...

From Newsroom to Purpose-Driven Storytelling | Michael's Journey with Bipolar Advocacy & Media Entrepreneurship In this episode of The Beacon Way: Founders Edition , we sit down with Michael, co-CEO of Pizzetta Media , who shares his remarkable transformation from a seasoned news professional to a purpose-driven entrepreneur amplifying mental health voices. Michael opens up about his diag...

Empowering Men's Mental Health: A Conversation with Justin Garber In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, we are joined by Justin Garber, a clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience in various settings, including the Department of Veteran Affairs.  Justin, who specializes in the relationship between psychological stress and the body's response system, shares his personal...

The Beacon Way Podcast: Navigating Wellness for First Responders with Dr. Carrie Steiner   Welcome back to the Beacon Way podcast! In this episode, we continue our founders' edition with special guest Dr. Carrie Steiner, founder of the First Responders Wellness Center and a licensed clinical psychologist with 13 years of experience as a Chicago police officer. Dr. Steiner shares her journey f...

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes James Barry, founder, and CEO of Pluck Superfood Seasonings. James shares his journey from being a professional chef in Hollywood for nearly 20 years to founding Pluck. He explains the initial inspiration behind Pluck, which began with his desire to find nutritious food for his family, particularly organ meats. James elabo...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Beacon Way Podcast ! In this episode, Adrienne is joined by Chris Maliszewski , founder of the Walking Tall Movement . Together, they discuss Chris's journey as a survivor of the tragic Highland Park mass shooting in 2022, how this experience inspired the creation of the Walking Tall Movement , and the challenges of navigating mental health while r...

Navigating Entrepreneurship & Parenthood with Dr. Melvin Varghese | Beacon Way Podcast Join Adrian Wilkerson on The Beacon Way Podcast as he chats with Dr. Melvin Varghese, a licensed psychologist and founder of the Selling the Couch podcast. Dr. Varghese shares his journey of transitioning from a traditional clinical career to creating a top-rated podcast aimed at helping therapists build onl...

Welcome to the Beacon Way Podcast! In this episode, we have the incredible Sean and Angie Taylor joining us to discuss niche marketing, business entrepreneurship, their founder's journey, and how their Christian counseling service, Cornerstone, came to be. Discover their inspiring story of overcoming stigma in mental health, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and integrating faith...