The Blue Stiley Podcast

What does it look like to lead with heart, bounce back from failure, and stay grounded through it all? Today, I sit down with Manny Hochheimer—banker, father, and leader—whose journey from Germany to Spokane, Washington, is anything but ordinary. As Assistant Vice President of Washington State branches at Idaho Central Credit Union, Manny brings more than business savvy to the table—he brings grit...

When life wants to break you, do you let it define you, or find the strength to keep climbing and choose what comes next? Today, I sit down with Chad Thompson—a devoted family man, coach, entrepreneur and founder of the Forever Everest Foundation—to talk about how loss, love, and purpose have shaped every part of his journey. From coaching on the soccer fields to a quiet, life-altering moment, Cha...

This episode is a little different. Instead of hosting, I sat down with my good friends Brennon Poynor and Josh Hissong for their podcast If Not Now, When? —and what came out of that conversation surprised even me. We talk about growing up in Spokane, what martial arts taught me about failure, and how rejection shaped some of the biggest pivots in my life. I also open up about things I haven’t sha...

On this episode, I sit down with Sybil Macdonald, a media coach, public speaking expert, and the founder of Elevate, a company dedicated to helping people own their voice and show up with confidence. We talk about how speaking authentically can completely transform your career. Sybil shares why embracing your individuality is the ultimate power move—and why no one should underestimate the value of...

Have you ever pitched an idea, vision, or business plan you believed in, only to be told it would never work? Our next guest, Chris Bovey, experienced exactly that. Instead of backing down, he used the rejection as fuel, refining his concept and adjusting his path to not only succeed, but to spark a city-wide movement. He’s the artist and entrepreneur behind Vintage Print, whose throwback-style pr...

Perfect timing isn’t just for standup comedians—it’s also for building community. And someone got the last laugh to prove it. On this episode, Blue Stiley sits down with my friend Angela Dennison, the powerhouse behind making Laughs Comedy Club the best in Seattle. She didn’t plan to run a comedy venue, but when life presented the opportunity, she and her husband ran with it—building one of the mo...

What happens when the world tells you you’re not going to make it—before you’ve even had a chance to try? On this episode, I sit down with Paul Brown, a Seattle-based attorney and mentor who grew up with profound hearing loss and spent his life proving people wrong—not with pity or perfection, but with grit, self-awareness, and a whole lot of heart. From growing up in Alaska without sound, to beco...

What does it really take to turn passion into purpose, and then turning that purpose into lasting impact? Today, I sit down with T.S The Solution: hip-hop artist, community leader, and creative force shaping Spokane’s cultural & artistic landscape.  From navigating job loss – and fatherhood to launching a recording studio and mentoring the next generation, T.S shares how failure, resilience, a...

What if your biggest setbacks were actually setting you up for the life you were meant to build? Today, I sit down with Josh Hissong—designer, restaurant owner, and co-founder of HDG Architecture—to talk about the long road to personal growth, leadership, and finding purpose. From battling addiction in his early 20s to building some of the Inland Northwest’s most iconic spaces, Josh’s journey is p...

What happens when the search for approval from others no longer defines you—and you finally let go? On this episode, I sit down with Bill Kalivas, a Spokane-based leader, mentor, and connector who’s built a career—and a life—on showing up for others. From a turbulent childhood marked by instability and rejection to finding strength through sports, mentorship, and faith, Bill’s story is a powerful...

How far would you be willing to travel to chase a life you’ve only dreamed of? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Roe, a long-distance cyclist and relentless adventurer, to explore how embracing the unknown can lead to an unforgettable journey. From riding his bike all the way from Alaska to the tip of South America, Jeff has pushed beyond comfort to discover what’s possible when you choose cur...

Have you ever had everything going according to plan—only to have the rug pulled out from under you? On this episode, I sit down with Jordan Trickett, a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur, whose story proves that reinvention often begins with disruption. After riding the high of working for Peloton during its boom years, Jordan suddenly found himself laid off while mountain biking through Per...

What if your biggest setback was actually the spark that could launch your next big chapter? On this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Erin Peterson, former teacher and the multimedia powerhouse behind Trending Northwest . Erin’s journey—from facing a life-changing health scare to building one of the most impactful regional media brands—is a story of finding purpose through reinvention an...

What if every obstacle in your path was actually preparing you for something greater? Because the reality is, it does. In this episode, I get the chance to talk with Ezra Eckhardt, President and CEO of STCU, whose journey from being a West Point cadet to leading one of Washington’s largest credit unions is a masterclass in willpower, leadership, and community impact. From facing the relentless cha...

Have you ever wondered what could happen if you chose yourself first—not selfishly, but with the understanding that you’re your own best advocate, even when life tries to break you down? Today, I’m sitting down with my good friend Gregory Zarian—actor, model, advocate, and a true champion of resilience and kindness. From overcoming self-doubt, addiction, and the need for external approval to build...

What would you create if you stopped waiting for permission and just built the thing you wished existed? Today, I’m sitting down with Nathan O’Brien, founder of Lilac City Comic Con, a pop culture event that started from a simple idea: Why doesn’t Spokane have its own Comic Con? From humble beginnings with just 18 vendors and 300 attendees to now thousands filling the Spokane Convention Center, Na...

What if the biggest risk in life isn’t failure—but looking back and regretting the chances you never took? On today’s episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Stephanie Vigil, the iconic former news anchor who spent over two decades building a trusted legacy in Spokane—before making a bold decision to step away from the camera and into the unknown. From delivering the day’s top stories to callin...

How far would you go to turn your passion into something bigger than yourself? Today on Navigating No , I sit down with filmmaker and storyteller Tom Rosy , the creative force behind Behind the Bucket —a powerful documentary that shines a spotlight on the 501st Legion , the global Star Wars costuming group known for proving that even the “bad guys” can do a whole lot of good. What began as a love...

How much time would you invest in shaping an idea before throwing in the towel? On this episode of Navigating No, I sit down with Greg Johnson, co-founder and CEO of AquiPor, whose path to success is built on relentless perseverance in the face of rejection. From chasing a professional basketball career—only to be cut at the last minute—to revolutionizing stormwater management, Greg has encountere...

Have you ever faced circumstances so limiting that they made you question if a different future was even possible? In this episode, I sit down with Kim Kelly , Executive Program Director & CEO of Christ’s Kitchen , whose work is transforming lives by helping women break free from generational poverty and adversity. Kim’s journey isn’t just about personal success—it’s about creating opportuniti...

What would you do if the passion you’ve poured yourself into was met with absolute rejection—would you keep going or walk away? In this episode, I sit down with S. Preston, a renowned minimalist artist whose journey is a masterclass in perseverance, adaptation, and creative reinvention. After facing a tough and costly lesson with the NHL, Preston refused to let rejection define him. Instead, he pi...

Have you ever felt stuck, unsure of what direction to take in your career or life? In today’s episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Tyler Lafferty—a business leader, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist who has dedicated his career to helping young people find clarity and purpose. From co-founding multiple successful companies to launching Slingshot , a nonprofit that guides students towa...

Have you ever had someone believe in you before you even believed in yourself? In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Bert Thornton—former President and COO of Waffle House, author, and career mentor—whose journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and embracing every opportunity to grow. From his early days as a college football player at Georgia Tech to leading...

Have you ever faced a closed door—one you really wanted to walk through—and wondered if there was another way in? In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with my longtime friend John Duong , a business strategist and corporate innovator who has built his success by mastering persistence and adaptability. From being initially rejected by a top-tier business school to climbing the ranks at AT&...

Has someone ever told you “no” for a role you knew you had the passion and skills to crush, but just needed that chance? In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Micki Love, a powerhouse in the legal consulting world, who defied expectations and shattered glass ceilings. Micki’s journey from a file clerk to COO, and now President of cjAdvertising, is a masterclass in turning rejection in...