Above & Beyond: Where Excellence Meets Elevation

Send us Fan Mail Alia Gauthier, co-founder of Tinted Salt in Chandler, Arizona, shares her journey from leaving Iran at age 11 during the revolution and war era, living in Turkey for 18 months, and arriving in Toronto as a refugee without speaking English. She discusses building resilience, dropping out of university, becoming a licensed aesthetician, buying and turning around a struggling salon,...

Send us Fan Mail Adam Baugh, partner and co-owner at Withey Morris Baugh, shares how lessons from his LDS mission in Atlanta—speaking Spanish, living on a budget, learning empathy, and developing door-to-door communication skills—became the foundation for his career helping developers and business owners navigate City Hall, zoning, and land use approvals in Arizona. He recounts a childhood moving...

Send us Fan Mail Phil Passante shares why he prefers “excellence” over “expert,” framing it as a continual pursuit, then traces his journey from an idyllic childhood outside Milwaukee to moving to Arizona in 1986 seeking better weather and opportunity. After early work selling high-end men’s clothing, he learned the auto glass business from the ground up—sales, installation, leadership—and in 2001...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Dallas, a Gilbert resident, shares his journey from growing up in upstate New York and playing baseball through college to selling Cutco, experiencing a serious illness (double pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) that led him to move to Arizona, and eventually leaving corporate B2B sales to start neighborhood publications with N2/Stroll in 2014. He discusses building Val...

Send us Fan Mail From Indian Wells during the 6th annual APN Golf weekend, Frank Stirpe Jr. reflects on how Above Par Network began in January 2019 as his personal “Rolodex” for solving inevitable life and business problems, then evolved into a service-first, relationship-driven community of about 400 members with chapters in Phoenix and Myrtle Beach. He contrasts APN’s culture of “builders over b...

Send us Fan Mail Lawrence Naranjo, a renovation and construction entrepreneur, discusses why honesty and transparency with clients matter in life, business, and construction. He shares his Arizona upbringing, family background, and experiences in sports, golf, and college, including leaving ASU’s business program a few classes short due to work demands. Lawrence recounts pursuing firefighting and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ted Bliefnick opens up about growing up in Decatur, Illinois—where faith, sports, community, and hard work laid the foundation for his life. He shares candidly about battling ADD and depression, the heartbreak of losing close friends to suicide, and the lessons learned from regret, failure, and rebuilding. From scaling a recruiting firm to tens of millions in reve...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Sally Harrison, president and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce since 2013, who moved from Washington state to Arizona in 2004 and joined the Mesa Chamber in 2008 after a 20-year career helping grow a physical therapy practice into 20 clinics and launching a community-focused foundation. She discusses how her upbringing in a small Washington community, her...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful conversation with Brock Mather, a former Division 1 linebacker whose life has been profoundly shaped by discipline, family, and competition. Raised in Ridgecrest, California, Brock spent nearly two decades on the football field, fulfilling his dream at Sacramento State University where he helped secure a Big Sky Championship. After college, Brock pivoted...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Larry Schendelman, the founder of A&J Graphics and Promotions, who shares his unique journey from working in the printing industry as a teenager in New York City to moving across the country and establishing his successful business in Arizona. Larry delves into his core philosophy of providing unparalleled service regardless of the client&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with LJ Richardson, a family-first entrepreneur known for his dedication, hard work, and strong relationships. LJ shares his incredible journey from struggling with the possibility of alcoholism to finding stability through his faith in Jesus. He opens up about his early career in the tire industry, his ventures into golf apparel, and the founding of M...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the life of Frank Bellavia, founder of Fido Cigar Company. Born in New York and raised in California, Frank moved to Arizona with his wife to bring a long-held dream to life after spending over 20 years in the cigar industry. We explore Frank's journey through personal and professional highs and lows, including his experience with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep with Steve Alexander, a man known for his engaging presence and authentic leadership. Steve shares his journey growing up in East Texas, his diverse career path spanning 20 years in operations and talent leadership across various industries, and his current role as a talent acquisition relationship manager for TE Connectivity. He also discusses his en...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a special episode where the tables are turned, and podcast mastermind Jan Simon takes the hot seat. In a dynamic and heartfelt interview, Jan shares his intriguing journey from a firefighter repelling from helicopters to an insurance expert and community leader. With moments that span from tear-jerking to laugh-out-loud funny, Jan recounts his challenging yet inspiring...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, we sit down with Ryelee Ponce, an Arizona native, animal lover, and twin mom who transitioned from a corporate life to becoming the founder of LZR Marketing and Early Bird Strategies. Ryelee shares her journey from the struggles of strict parenting and a traumatic divorce to building a successful digital marketing agency with her wife, Liz. She delves int...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we welcome Kate Mayeski, a community builder and personal brand strategist, who shares her compelling journey from corporate America to founding Maverick May Solutions. Kate discusses the importance of storytelling and authenticity in building a brand, her diverse career background, and her personal challenges, including health struggles and mental health. She hig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Eric Reber shares his compelling journey from a Six Sigma green belt and lean manufacturing expert with 26 years in transportation and logistics to the president of IS Enterprises and owner of Speed Pro Mesa Gilbert. Discover how Eric's determination and curiosity led him to pivot from a traditional corporate career to owning a business specializing in large...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Above Beyond, we are joined by Nathan Thue, founder of Arizona Total Home Restoration and IICRC certified firm. Starting from scratch in 2014, Nathan has built his business based on honesty, integrity, and exceptional craftsmanship. Beyond the job site, Nathan is committed to building trust and community, serving on the board for Rebuilding Together Valley of th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Above and Beyond Podcast, join us for an inspiring conversation with Kevin Kosisky, more commonly known as KK. With over three decades in the mortgage industry, Kevin's story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and relentless passion for helping others. Starting at the age of 23, Kevin made his mark at Academy Mortgage leading a top-performing team an...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, Chad Dunn shares his transformative journey from being an athlete, felon, and drug user to becoming a certified behavioral change specialist and author. Following a two-year term in federal prison, Chad founded Move Human Performance Center in Chandler, where he helps athletes and everyday individuals rebuild their lives through fitness and mental resil...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Above and Beyond: Where Excellence Meets Elevation, we sit down with Josh Carstens, a man whose journey embodies bold pivots and purpose. Born and raised in McHenry, Illinois, Josh began his career as a documentary filmmaker with National Geographic before transitioning to the restaurant industry. Discover how Josh and his family started over in Arizona, helping...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ann Schude, a seasoned real estate professional with over 23 years of experience. Ann shares her journey from aspiring ballerina to co-owning the successful real estate firm InstaSold. In this episode, discover how Ann blends her deep understanding of community, honed during her time at Arizona State University, with her passion for real...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Above and Beyond where Excellence meets Elevation,' we welcome Rob Elder, a man whose life and career have been marked by integrity, service, and dedication.  Born and raised in Wyoming, Rob excelled as a four-sport athlete and college wrestler before serving four years in the U.S. Navy, including deployment in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.  T...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on this episode of Above and Beyond where host Jan Simon sits down with Peppur Chambers, an acclaimed international writer, producer, and educator. Dive into Peppur's inspiring journey from her Wisconsin roots to becoming a significant voice in addressing women's issues, social justice, and love. Explore her challenges, triumphs, and defining moments, including g...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with one of America's leading real estate agents, Doug Hopkins. From his humble beginnings in Bedford Hills, New York, to his rapid rise in the Arizona real estate market, Doug shares his remarkable journey.  With over 20,000 home purchases and sales under his belt, Doug reflects on the highs and lows of his career, including personal challenges l...