The Inspired Stories Podcast

🎙️ How Does Athletic Drive Transform Restaurant Leadership? Anthony Valletta's Story In this dynamic episode, Anthony Valletta, President of bartaco, reveals how he evolved from a results-driven competitor to building sustainable high-performing teams across 34 locations in 13 states. His journey shows how personal growth and genuine hospitality create exceptional dining experiences. ✨ Key Insigh...

🎙️ Unreasonably Grateful: Terces Engelhart's Path to Creating Cafe Gratitude   In this powerful episode, Terces Engelhart shares her remarkable journey from early struggles with an eating disorder to founding Cafe Gratitude, a pioneering plant-based restaurant focused on gratitude, community, and healing. With vulnerability and wisdom, she reveals how her personal recovery journey led to creating...

🎙️ Elevating Movie Magic: Heather Morgan's Vision for Modern Cinema In this fascinating episode, Heather Morgan, Chief Content Officer at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, shares how she's transforming the movie-going experience through innovative programming, community engagement, and a dedication to celebrating film culture. ✨ Key Insights: How psychological expertise shapes business leadership The evol...

🎙️ The Science of Understanding People: Dr. Ryne Sherman's Journey in Personality Assessment In this insightful episode, Dr. Ryne Sherman, Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments, reveals how data-driven personality assessments are revolutionizing talent management and reshaping our understanding of leadership. ✨ Key Insights: How personality assessments level the playing field in hiring The d...

🎙️ How Did a Former Entertainment Executive Revolutionize Sports Nutrition? In this engaging episode, Filip Keuppens, Executive Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, shares his journey from corporate entertainment to pioneering a revolutionary sports drink. Originally from Belgium, Filip's path led him through Warner Brothers and Fox before joining a company that would challenge conventi...

🎙️ Building a Family Legacy: Debbie Brunaforte's Journey in the RV Industry   In this insightful episode, Debbie Brunaforte, Vice President at Campers NRV, shares her remarkable journey from working in her family's RV business as a child to becoming a respected industry leader. She reveals how strong core values, a customer-first approach, and maintaining optimism during challenging times have con...

🎙️ Faith, Fear, and Finding Purpose: Brad Walters' Journey from Crisis to Leadership In this powerful episode, Brad Walters, General Manager of Paramount Automotive, shares how a business crisis led to personal transformation, revealing how surrendering control and embracing authenticity reshaped his approach to leadership and life. ✨ Key Insights: The transformative power of hitting rock bottom...

🎙️ How Does Legacy Meet Innovation? Peter Frey's Sonny's BBQ Story In this flavorful episode, Peter Frey, Chief Brand Officer at Sonny's BBQ, reveals how combining Southern hospitality with modern technology transformed a legacy barbecue brand into a digital innovator. His journey from SeaWorld crisis management to restaurant innovation demonstrates how staying true to core values while embracing...

🎙️ Nursing's Next Chapter: How Patti Artley is Revolutionizing Healthcare Staffing In this inspiring episode, Patti Artley, Chief Nursing Officer of Medical Solutions, shares how she's transforming healthcare staffing through innovation, data-driven decisions, and a people-first approach. ✨ Key Insights: The evolution from traditional staffing to comprehensive workforce solutions How data and tec...

🎙️ From Car Washer to Car Dealer: Shane Taylor's Journey of Faith and Leadership In this inspiring episode, Shane Taylor, partner at Krause Auto Group, shares his 30-year journey from washing cars to leading multiple dealerships, revealing how his faith transformed both his leadership style and business approach. ✨ Key Insights: The power of focusing on current tasks rather than chasing titles Ho...

🎙️ How Does Music and Mission Drive Staffing Success? Karl Osterland's Story In this unique episode, Karl Osterland, President of Fast-Temps Employment, reveals how his journey from farm kid to church musician to staffing leader shaped his mission-driven approach to business. His commitment to treating employees with dignity while delivering excellent service has transformed a struggling startup i...

🎙️ How Does Innovation and Resilience Transform Craft Beer? Ted Mitzlaff's Story In this dynamic episode, Ted Mitzlaff, CEO of Goodwood Brewing, shares how he turned a struggling brewery into a thriving hospitality empire through innovative barrel-aging techniques and experiential dining concepts. His journey from chemical engineering to craft beer demonstrates how transparency and adaptability ca...

🎙️ How Can Healthcare Leaders Transform Employee Engagement While Serving The Underserved?  In this inspiring episode, Kelly Oliver, Chief Human Resources Officer at Nevada Health Centers, reveals how he combines innovative employee engagement with compassionate healthcare delivery across 20 health centers serving Nevada's most vulnerable populations. His journey from risk management to HR leaders...

🎙️ How Can Restaurant Leaders Blend Tradition with Innovation?   In this inspiring episode, Chef Nikky Phinyawatana, founder of Asian Mint Restaurant Group, shares her journey from self-taught chef to award-winning restaurateur. She reveals how she combines Thai heritage with Texas hospitality to create successful restaurant concepts and lifestyle brands, while navigating the challenges of modern...

🎙️ Building a Compassionate Home Care Empire: Chad Tracey's Journey with 2nd Family In this inspiring episode, Chad Tracey, co-founder and president of 2nd Family, shares how he transformed his personal experience with his grandmother's Alzheimer's care into a thriving home care franchise business. ✨ Key Insights: How personal experiences can drive business innovation The importance of technology...

🎙️ How Does Authentic Leadership Transform Technology Companies?  In this inspiring episode, Stephanie Johnson, CEO of Acklen Avenue, shares her extraordinary journey from being a teenage mother of three to leading a global tech company. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the impact of leading with kindness and authenticity. ✨ Key Insights You'll Learn: How pe...

🎙️ How Does a Fighter's Spirit Transform Business and Community? Chris Miller's Story In this powerful episode, Chris Miller shares how he grew Dutch Miller Auto Group from 2 to 13 dealerships while battling addiction and pursuing public service. His journey from boxer to business leader shows how resilience and core values drive positive change. ✨ Key Insights You'll Learn: Building multi-genera...

🎙️ How Can We Fix America's Broken Childcare System? Donna Sneeringer's Vision In this crucial episode, Donna Sneeringer, Chief Strategy Officer of Child Care Resource Center, reveals innovative solutions for making quality childcare accessible and sustainable. Her work impacts 50,000 children across Southern California while addressing systemic industry challenges exposed by the pandemic. ✨ Key...

🎙️ How Does Athletic Leadership Transform Healthcare Organizations? Mike Fidgeon's Story In this inspiring episode, Mike Fidgeon, CEO of Hillcrest Family Services, shares how he translated lessons from Duke University athletics into leading a comprehensive behavioral health organization. His journey demonstrates how combining athletic discipline with compassionate leadership creates transformative...

In this special episode of The Inspired Stories Podcast , the tables are turned as Bashar Haddad, COO of SSI, steps in as guest host to interview our usual host, Anthony Codispoti. Anthony shares his personal and professional journey—from his entrepreneurial beginnings to launching The Inspired Stories Podcast . ✨ Key Takeaways from This Episode: Embracing discomfort and challenges as a path to g...

🎙️ How Did a Small Bodega Become a Viral Food Sensation? Mike Hauke's Story In this flavorful episode, Mike Hauke, founder of Tony Boloney's, reveals how creative experimentation transformed a humble Atlantic City convenience store into an innovative culinary brand known for viral sensations like taco pizza and revolutionary mozzarella sticks. ✨ Key Insights You'll Learn: Turning unexpected oppor...

🎙️ How Does Wood-Fired Pizza Tradition Meet Modern Innovation? Ric Gruber's Story In this flavorful episode, Ric Gruber, founder of Billy Bricks Pizza, shares how he transformed his passion for authentic wood-fired pizza into a thriving Chicago restaurant chain. His journey from discovering traditional pizza-making in California to innovating with mobile pizza trucks shows how to grow while mainta...

🎙️ How can business leaders transform personal setbacks into organizational success?  Join us for an insightful conversation with Jim Weaver, CEO of The Ōnin Group, as he shares his inspiring journey from an aspiring musician to leading one of the most innovative staffing companies in the industry. Discover how early career disappointments fueled his drive to build a people-first organization focu...

🎙️ How Can Restaurant Leaders Build Strong Teams While Maintaining High Standards? In this inspiring episode, Rachael Camden, General Manager at The Dodo, shares her transformational journey from a rebellious bartender to a respected hospitality leader. She reveals how her personal growth fuels her leadership style and how she's developed an innovative approach to mentoring and empowering her staf...

How can restaurant leaders innovate traditional cuisine while honoring its roots?  Ji-Hye Kim shares her journey from corporate healthcare to founding Miss Kim, drawing on both her Korean heritage and Michigan ingredients to create a unique dining experience.  The conversation explores how her business background enabled her to implement innovative employee compensation models while building a suc...