The FocalFlip Podcast

In Episode 86 of The FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with my friend, mentor, and community leader Rob Jent for a powerful conversation about transformation, discipline, and purpose. Rob is the President of the Independence Business Association, owner of Anytime Fitness in Independence, Kentucky and Amelia, Ohio , owner of Iron Revival Gym in Erlanger, Kentucky, a former professional wrestler, and a...

Episode 85 - John McNeely & Mike Kannady - What is Reality & Perception? Our brains are encased in complete darkness, yet we experience a world of vivid color and profound meaning. Everything we can conceive, perceive, imagine or believe regarding everything we experience as real, is within a mind that directly experiences nothing but an interpretation of its own neural signals and chemica...

Episode 84 of FocalFlip features Cy Egger. For years, Cy carried a reputation that many in Northern Kentucky knew well. Some called him the funniest guy in the room. Others knew him as the guy who could light it up from three-point range. And many knew him as the man who wasn't afraid to tell people exactly what he thought—earning him the nickname of being one of the most hated men in Northern Ken...

In Episode 83 of The FocalFlip Podcast, Mike Kannady sits down with lifelong friends Tyianna Trice and Whitney Dixon for a powerful conversation about resilience, faith, friendship, and perspective. Friends since their days as student-athletes at Ryle High School in 2008, their bond was tested when Tyianna developed mastitis after childbirth, which led to an abscess, sepsis, and an 11-day coma. Do...

Episode #82 – Flipping Perspectives on Mental Health in Youth Education, Leadership, and Coaching with Nate Niemi In Episode #82 of The FocalFlip Podcast, Mike Kannady sits down with longtime educator, coach, and St. Henry Assistant Principal Nate Niemi to discuss mental health through the lenses of students, teachers, and school leaders. Drawing from 30 years in education, Nate shares how today's...

Coach Mike Walker returns to The FocalFlip Podcast! Mike gives an update on the past year at Lloyd and reflects on the current state of youth sports, parenting, high school transfers, recruiting, and the rapidly changing world of college NIL. We discuss the pressure athletes and coaches face today, the damaging effects negativity and public criticism can have on mental health, and how to handle ou...

In this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast , John McNeely and Mike Kannady dive deep into the timeless truths that have echoed through centuries of spiritual teachings, philosophies, and religions. From the ancient call to “know thyself” to the powerful realization that “the kingdom is within you,” this conversation explores what it really means to turn inward in a world that constantly pulls us out...

What if the parts of you that you hide… are the exact parts holding your power? In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with John McNeely to dive deep into the concept of shadow work—the uncomfortable, often avoided process of confronting the parts of ourselves we suppress, deny, or run from. This conversation goes beyond surface-level self-improvement. John breaks down how unprocess...

What happens when your body starts to betray you… but your purpose refuses to? In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with Dave Shields and Anthony Wayne Barker—two friends connected by purpose. Both fraternity brothers from Eastern Kentucky University, Tony felt called to step in and support Dave—not just as a friend, but as someone who saw the weight of his battle. Dave opens up a...

At 54 years old, after a lifetime lost to addiction, chaos, and survival, this is the longest he’s ever been sober—one full year. His story isn’t polished—but it’s real. From years of drug addiction to serving nearly a decade in prison, to being abducted and beaten while living in the madness… Jason's story tells us what rock bottom actually looks like. But it’s also what transformation looks like...

What happens when you stop playing it safe… and start betting on yourself? In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Curtis—founder of Greenies Mobile Golf—who walked away from a corporate path to build something of his own. We go deeper than business in this one. Andrew shares: The build and momentum behind Greenies What it really takes to bet on yourself Fatherhood and the...

On his third appearance on the FocalFlip Podcast, Campbell County Boys Basketball Head Coach Brent Sowder returns for one of his most layered and thought-provoking conversations yet. We kick things off with the now-infamous refrigerator update before diving into Sowder’s recent trips through some of America’s most powerful historical grounds, including Battle of Bull Run. From walking battlefields...

Episode 73 of the FocalFlip Podcast features Todd Humphrey , Head Coach of the Boone County High School boys basketball program and Youth Services Coordinator — a leader who is impacting students both on the court and in the classroom . 🏀 Todd’s story starts in Northern Kentucky where he grew up playing basketball at the legendary Randolph Park , one of the most respected proving grounds for hoop...

In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast , we sit down with Highlands High School Head Basketball Coach Kevin Listerman to talk about leadership, mental toughness, and the journey that shaped one of Kentucky’s premier basketball programs. Kevin shares what it was like growing up as the son of legendary coach Mike Listerman , learning the game on a gravel basketball court where toughness and ball-h...

In Episode 71 of the FocalFlip Podcast, Mike sits down with Ryan Curtis, Dan Curtis, and (in a surprise moment) Jarrett Curtis for an episode full of basketball, legacy, laughter, and perspective. The conversation spans generations and shows how sports can shape identity, relationships, and purpose. Mike and Ryan go way back to their elementary days at Dixie Heights basketball camp, and their frie...

Episode 70 – Michael Kannady: Past, Present, and Future (Hosted by Tim Hanner) We've got a deep one in this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, where Tim Hanner sits down with Mike for the most vulnerable conversation to date, tracing the full arc of his life: the past that shaped him, the present that grounded him, and the future he’s intentionally building. Mike and Tim’s relationship began years...

If you're ready for real-talk that's expressed with emotion and humor, this is your episode. Meet my friend Sal Calanni and dive deep with us as we learn his life story and promote his brand new comedy special that airs right here on YouTube on January 29th! Sal is a lactose intolerant Italian originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he hit the road and began doing stand up in San Francisco. He has crawle...

In this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with Arron Cope, the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Independence, Kentucky, to talk about leadership, community, self-care, and what it truly means to live life with intention. The first 25 minutes of the conversation dive into Arron’s background and her role within the City of Independence. What began as a part-time position has...

In this episode, I sit down with William Clarke — former NFL defensive end and current UFL player — to unpack the journey behind the helmet. Will grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, sharpening his game playing street football with smaller, faster friends who forced him to adapt, compete, and develop an edge early. That edge carried him to West Virginia University, and ultimately to the NFL, where he was dr...

In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast , we sit down with Stephen Owens , General Manager of Better Blend in Independence, Kentucky — and we’re excited to announce that Better Blend is the official sponsor of FocalFlip for the entire month of December . I first met Stephen in a pretty unconventional way. My daughter and I were creating content around cleaner health choices , and instead of the o...

In this episode, I sit down with a longtime friend from our NKU days, Justin Holthaus , the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cooper High School. Justin is a husband to Ashley and a proud father of five boys — a full team at home and on the court! With 16 years under legendary Cooper coach Tim Sullivan , Justin has done it all: Freshman coach, JV head coach, Girls Varsity head coach, and now leader of...

In this deep & heartfelt episode, Mike sits down with Aaron Stamm , a longtime Northern Kentucky coach whose journey through life, sports, health, and self-discovery offers lessons for athletes and non-athletes alike. We open by taking it way back to the early 2000s, when Aaron was coaching at Ryle High School during one of the most stacked eras the 9th Region has ever seen—packed gyms, elite...

In this episode, Michael Kannady runs it back with Danielle Harris and Mercedes Clarke for a deep, honest, and transformative conversation about faith, relationships, womanhood, and what real connection looks like in today’s world. We open with church vs. religion vs. spirituality—how they differ, how they overlap, and how each one uniquely shapes our identity and healing journeys. From there, we...

In Episode 62 of the FocalFlip Podcast, Pat Morgan sits down with two extraordinary women—Danielle Harris and Mercedes Clarke—to open Warrior Women Season. Together, they unpack what it truly means to be a woman of strength, intention, and unwavering purpose. Danielle, owner of a remodeling company and manager of a thriving design firm, shares her courageous journey as a mom of three who fought th...

Balancing Love, Leadership & Legacy — Andrea & Tim Sullivan on The FocalFlip Podcast 🎧 Episode Description: In this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, Mike sits down with husband-and-wife coaching duo Andrea and Tim Sullivan — two of Northern Kentucky’s most respected educators and leaders in high school athletics. Andrea, the Head Volleyball Coach at Scott High School, brings over 23 year...