The FocalFlip Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the story of Farmer Nate’s Sauce, a small-batch hot sauce brand born from one man’s pandemic hobby and now recognized on the national stage. Founder Nate Nunemaker — better known as Farmer Nate — started out as a city guy in Covington, Kentucky, who just wanted to grow a few peppers in his backyard. But when his habaneros and jalapeños exploded in abundance, he t...

In this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with Coach Ross Hart, head coach of Beechwood Boys Basketball, to talk about his journey from a Beechwood grad with a dream to the man leading the same program to new heights. We unpack his journey from a player at Wilmington College to transferring to UK to study education, health, and PE — trading the player’s life for a coach’s calling. From...

🎙️ The FocalFlip Podcast | Episode 58 “Built Different — The Mamba Mentality of Brenden Stowers” In Episode 58 of The FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with Brenden Stowers, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Northern Kentucky University, to unpack a story of drive, discipline, and heart that started long before the sidelines of Division I hoops. Brenden opens up about his early days on the court —...

In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast, Mike sits down with his longtime friend Tony Hill to dive deep into the heart of life, family, and leadership. Tony shares his journey of struggle, growth and service, from starting as a tech to becoming a respected leader in the Nursing Profession at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Together, Michael and Tony discuss how their choices growing up shaped their des...

In Episode 56 of the FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with Coach Jeff Stowers, the head coach of the 8th Region Champs, Simon Kenton Girls Basketball Program, whose story embodies resilience, family, and faith in the power of sports. Jeff opens up about growing up in the projects of Covington, Kentucky, one of 11 kids in a big, tight-knit family. He shares how the basketball courts on 10th Street an...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and college roommate from Northern Kentucky University, Jeff Hatter, the Founder of North Star Yerba Mate and @yerbatravels ! Jeff’s story is unique—after graduating, he moved to South Korea where he spent 15 years teaching before moving back home a year and a half ago. Throughout the years, he was always encouraging me to try Yerba Mate, a tradi...

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary journey of Tim Hanner, former Superintendent of Kenton County Schools and celebrated consultant. Recognized as Kentucky Superintendent of the Year in 2010, Tim led with vision and innovation—launching programs like STEM campuses, Born Learning Academy, and the Success Academy. His leadership left a lasting imprint on education in Northern Kentucky whil...

In our final episode of season one, Michael Kannady and John McNeely explore man’s ancient relationship with God and how he has expressed that relationship through mythology across all places and times. Man’s relationship with God is as old as man himself and it all starts with the deeply rooted spiritual experience common in all of mankind.

Texas Will, Sir William & Tha Village Podcast: A Father’s Mission for Autism Awareness I first met Will Adams—better known in our college days as Texas Will—at Northern Kentucky University’s campus recreation center. Our friendship began on the infamous “center court,” the most competitive and unforgiving place on campus to play ball, where every game came with bragging rights. Life took us in...

In this episode, we sit down with Danny Rasp — one of the Top Business Bankers at US Bank — whose journey to the top is filled with grit, growth, and a few great laughs along the way. Before he was dominating the banking world, Danny spent several years in speech therapy as a kid, even having to leave one school early to attend another that could better support his development. His early struggles...

🎙️ "The Voice of the 859: A Conversation with Mark Wehry" Episode 50 of The FocalFlip Podcast has ARRIVED! Today, I sit down with Mark Wehry, the passionate founder and play-by-play voice behind (859) Sports Radio , a grassroots internet sports webcast dedicated to celebrating Northern Kentucky high school sports. From mimicking Marty Brennaman on cassette tapes as a 12-year-old to calling hundred...

Today, at FocalFlip , we’re joined by Brandon Saho — a former sports reporter from Cincinnati who walked away from his dream job to take on something even bigger: opening up real conversations about mental health. Brandon shares his life story of battling depression, suicidal thoughts, and alcoholism, and how those struggles led him to launch The Mental Game podcast — a space where athletes, artis...

In Episode 48 of The FocalFlip Podcast, I'm sittin’ down with Jake Thelen, the new head basketball coach at Covington Catholic High School — and let me tell you, this one’s cool. Jake’s story is what hard work, faith, and a love for the game is all about. Jake had a basketball in his hands probably before he could even talk — since he was 2 or 3 years old, folks around here could tell he had that...

Episode 47 brings us Brantley. I met Brantley two years ago when I met his mother, Samantha. Samantha and I started dating two years ago and we didn't introduce each other to our children for a few months into us dating. Well, when I met her son Brantley, I was blown away. I thought, "there's no way this kid is real." And when I say that, I mean he's the sweetest, smartest, most creative kid I've...

Episode 46 of The FocalFlip Podcast is a banger! Why? Because I sit down with Quinton Day — Founder of Rook Digital Marketing Agency and a true example of resilience and leadership. Quinton launched ROOK in 2016 with a mission to deliver custom digital marketing solutions that help businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs rise above the noise. Built on a culture of empowerment, Rook stands as...

Episode 45 is HERE! This one features Angel Rondon and his son, Yamil. Yamil, a Senior basketball standout at Newport High School is a well-known young man in the Northern Kentucky area and his pops, one of the coldest photographers around. Throughout this episode we talk about both of their love for the game of hoops and how they were brought up playing the game. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, A...

At just 20 years old, Nathan Griffith is making moves in real estate, investing, and business development, helping others navigate homeownership and financial growth. In Episode 40, we meet Nathan, the Social Media Strategist – a guy with a sharp eye for marketing, Nathan creates engaging, funny, and educational real estate content that keeps his name on top-of-your-mind in Northern Kentucky and b...

Episode 41 features Simon Kenton Boys Basketball Coach Trent Steiner. This coach, educator & administrator in Independence, KY was also one of my high school coaches from back in 2003, when basketball was A LOT different. A tough-nosed coach with a huge heart, Trent and I navigate through the history of Simon Kenton Basketball as I share my experience of what it was like playing for him, Scott...

Episode 42 presents Tarris Horton, one of the most interesting and unique people I've had the pleasure to meet. Tarris is a man that wears many hats that start off with being a barber that was born of a bootlegger and a bible-thumper. The Elizabethtown native, who was recently voted in as City Councilman in Dayton, KY, is a multi-talented, bubbly individual that has had his struggles in life too.....

In Episode 43, I sit down with Ricardo Johnson, the head boys basketball coach at Holy Cross High School in Covington, KY. A proud Ohio University alum, Coach Ric takes us through his remarkable life story, beginning with the loss of his father at just 9 years old. While his mother worked tirelessly to take care of the family, he and his brother turned to basketball, spending countless hours at th...

🏀🏐 Building Legacy Through Sports & Family | Coach Shannon Minor & Milyn Minor In Episode 44, I sit down with Coach Shannon Minor, Head Boys Basketball Coach at North College Hill High School, and his daughter, Milyn Minor, a standout junior volleyball star at Scott High School. Coach Minor, an NKU Hall of Famer, takes us through his incredible basketball journey—from winning two regiona...