The FocalFlip Podcast

On this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, Mike sits down with longtime friend Erika Smith, a fitness and nutrition coach, to discuss her journey through grief, mental health challenges, career changes, and discovering her purpose in helping others. Erika opens up about losing her twin brother Derek, navigating postpartum psychosis and depression, and learning to prioritize her own well-being while...

What happens when the dream you've chased your entire life finally becomes reality — and then everything changes? On the first episode of Season 3 of The FocalFlip Podcast, Mike sits down with Northern Kentucky wrestling legend Wildcat Chris Harris for one of the most personal conversations yet. Chris takes us all the way back to the kid who fell in love with professional wrestling after watching...

Some people enter your life for a season. Others show up at exactly the moment you need them most—and their impact lasts a lifetime. In Episode 90 of The FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with Ken Chevalier for a conversation about purpose, perseverance, mentorship, grief, community, and what it truly means to show up for another human being. Ken takes us through his upbringing and the journey that l...

This episode hits close to home. In 2016, I lost my father after a seven-year battle following a massive stroke — the same type of stroke Tracey Yaegel suffered five years ago. In Episode 89 of The FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with Jerry and Tracey to talk about the fight that followed... paralysis, rehabilitation, uncertainty, and Tracey’s determination to get her life back. Through hard work, i...

What does it take to leave a successful corporate career, navigate unimaginable loss, lead multiple businesses, and still put people first? In this episode of the FocalFlip Podcast, I sit down with Emily Kasselmann, owner/operator of eight Kasselmann Family McDonald's restaurants, to discuss leadership, faith, family, grief, and purpose. Emily shares her incredible journey from spending 10 years a...

Second Chances, Faith, Fitness, & Mindset Can someone truly change? In this episode of The FocalFlip Podcast, Michael Kannady sits down with Michael Daniels, founder of Round 2 Vision, for a powerful conversation about redemption, identity, and the perspective shifts that can completely change a life. Michael shares his journey from becoming a father at 16, getting caught up in street life und...

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...