The Sharpen Podcast

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Bobby Gruenewald, pastor and innovation leader at Life. Church and founder and CEO of YouVersion. Bobby shares his journey from early entrepreneurship to Life. Church , the story behind the Bible App, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Connect with Bobby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbygruenewald/ https://www.youvers...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Dan Martella, who leads business development for Bennett Thrasher. They discuss how growth-minded business owners can move beyond reactive compliance and build advisory relationships that support stronger decisions, better capacity, and long-term growth. Dan shares insight on state and local tax challenges, founder-led sales, o...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Merle Mees of Soulcare Matters to talk about the hidden cost of leadership pressure, the warning signs of soul depletion, and the rhythms that help leaders recover clarity, rest, and wholeness. Merle shares his own story of burnout and explains why soul care is not just another responsibility. It is the work of tending to the inner...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Jon Bachura, an Acumen Growth Catalyst in Wichita, to talk about generational leadership transitions, legacy, founder identity, and the future of family enterprise. Jon shares why successful transitions are not only about financial structure or choosing the next operator. They require leaders to think clearly about calling, family d...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Zack Nicholson, Executive Director at Minding the Gap, to talk about leadership, service, and what it takes to build trust in schools and communities over time. Zack shares his journey from entrepreneurship to ministry to nonprofit leadership, along with practical lessons on serving real needs, leading volunteers, and creating lasti...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Duane Donner, founder and CEO of Founder Advisors, to talk about what it takes to build a company that is valuable, transferable, and aligned with a larger purpose. Duane shares how early failure, burnout, and a hard reset in both business and life shaped the way he rebuilt his career and eventually grew an M&A advisory firm focu...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Clint Overton, founder and managing partner of Boardroom Bullpen, for a conversation about sabbaticals, faith, entrepreneurship, and the role of the trusted advisor. Clint shares how a 21-year career in large organizations, followed by private equity, fractional COO work, and a season of reflection, shaped the way he now helps busin...

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Drew Lints, founder of Revflow Growth Partners, to talk about systems, AI, and how to scale a business without losing the human element. They break down common misconceptions about automation, where businesses waste time on manual work, and how to identify the right opportunities for AI. Drew shares his approach to building cus...

In this episode of the  Sharpen Podcast , Dan Cooper (CEO, Acumen) and Brian Lunt (St. Louis Growth Catalyst, Acumen) discuss relational capital—what it is, how it’s built, and why it still matters in business. As technology continues to increase speed and efficiency, relationships can become secondary. This conversation brings it back to the fundamentals:  trust, consistency, and understanding pe...

In this episode of the  Sharpen Podcast , Steve Van Diest sits down with Blaine Cheshire, Founder & CEO of Level 10 CFO, to talk about money, growth, and the financial decisions that can make or break a business. They unpack the common lies leaders believe about revenue, introduce the idea of the “Revenue Fairy,” and explain why CFOs aren’t risk-averse—they’re risk-conscious. Blaine also share...

Tune in to hear from iHeartMedia veteran Jack Gelley on how brands connect with customers through storytelling, listening to real pain points, and building long-term trust with audio and consistent campaigns. He covers practical advice for business owners — SEO and website basics, campaign timing and measurement, the role of AI, and sales follow-up — to help you grow without losing your why.

In this episode Steve Van Diest interviews Ross Chapman, CEO of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, about how faith and business intersect. They explore Jesus’ example of ordinary work, reframing ministry to include everyday jobs, and how companies can promote human flourishing through good jobs, competence, and long-term vision. Practical takeaways include treating daily work as ministry,...

Preston Poore joins Dan Cooper to explain his leadership thesis: how you lead matters more than what you achieve. Drawing on 30 years in consumer brands like Coca‑Cola and Hershey, Preston shares stories of failure, transformation, and practical steps—360 feedback, coaching, and self-awareness—to build healthier workplaces. He also discusses integrating faith and humility into daily leadership, wh...

Mike Walrod explains how a fractional integrator implements EOS to free visionary CEOs, build trust, and turn ideas into execution. He covers the integrator role, running effective Level 10 meetings (IDS), the power of clarity breaks, and how disciplined systems create speed and alignment. Practical takeaways include using weekly L10s to solve root problems, scheduling regular clarity breaks, and...

Meet Frank Anello, co-founder and executive director of Project Worthmore, as he shares about founding and scaling a mission-driven organization serving refugees and immigrants on the Colorado Front Range. The conversation covers the organization’s programs (dental clinic, farm, English classes and planned medical/legal services), leadership of a multicultural team, diversified revenue strategies,...

In this episode, we dive deep into themes of collaboration, competition, and calling as we explore the unique journey of Bob Shank, a seasoned entrepreneur turned ministry leader. Join us as Bob shares his insights on transitioning from a thriving career in the construction industry to passionately engaging in ministry work, mentoring leaders, and co-founding The Barnabas Group. Bob discusses the...

In this episode of the Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest engages in an insightful conversation with Dan Glasser, a commercial litigator. Dan shares his journey of founding his own firm in 2009 and the invaluable people lessons he's learned along the way. As they delve into the highs and lows of business leadership, Dan reflects on the challenges of losing employees, the importance of investing in p...

At just 23, Emily Gates has captivated millions on TikTok with her creative content and unique personal brand, illustrating the evolving landscape of digital influence. In this episode, she shares her journey to becoming a recognized content creator with a significant following. She discusses her creative process, the importance of fun and consistency, and how she transitioned from making videos f...

Meet Marcus Kirkwood, founder of Outpost Construction Supply. On today's episode, Marcus shares his unique journey from being a college football player at the University of Colorado to establishing a thriving business in the construction industry. Discover the lessons Marcus learned along the way, including the importance of maintaining purpose and perspective, even amidst the day-to-day challenge...

In this episode, Dan sits down with Dustin Doll, the CEO of Accord Group and Founder of Doll Family Office, to explore the transition from achieving success to making a lasting impact. With over 20 years in the exterior industry, including roofing, siding, and storm restoration insurance work, Dustin shares his entrepreneurial journey from minority partner to leading a company reaching over half a...

Join us as we delve into the fascinating journey of Billy Hodes, who transformed Midland Industries from a distressed company to a platform of success. In this episode, we explore the stages of revenue growth from $5 to $150 million, discussing key strategies, challenges, and insights on scaling a business. Billy shares valuable experiences from his role as a CEO, his partnership with private equi...

This episode features Lindsay Howerton, owner of How Consulting LLC. Lindsay shares her extensive experiences in transforming organizations through effective leadership and strategic alignment, uncovering the profound impact of having a deep sense of purpose. Tune in to explore key insights into the significance of trust, cultural alignment, and overcoming fear to drive organizational success.

Drew Hiss, Chairman of Acumen, discusses his unique journey from founding Acumen to rejoining the CEO ranks within another organization. Dive into Drew's origin story, learning from entrepreneurial challenges and the critical role of community and wise counsel in achieving business success. Together, Drew and host Dan Cooper explore the values driving Acumen, the power of aligning peers with share...

Join us as we explore the future of business leadership and the integration of AI with special guest John Scott Dixon, CEO of Aidan Taylor Marketing. Discover practical strategies for upskilling your team and leveraging AI technologies to drive business success. Dixon shares insights from his course, 'Mastery of AI,' and discusses the transformative impact of AI on industries worldwide. Get ready...

Growth Catalyst Russ Meinhardt shares about the complexities of professionalizing and eventually selling a family business. Learn how Russ rose from driving a forklift to leading the company, Old World Spices, and how he managed the intricate family dynamics along the way. Discover valuable lessons about growth strategies, dealing with private equity, and maintaining the family culture within a pr...