Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

Jim McCarthy
  • 5.0 (37)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Real conversations about the stories, challenges, struggles and triumphs of Middle Tennessee's entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals. Broadcasting from the J2HQ in Thompson's Station. www.mmtbp.com

  1. 14h ago

    Broadcasting to Business w/ Katelin Ford :: 292 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with Nashville-area commercial real estate pro and project manager Katelin Ford (Four Points Business, SVN Excel). Katelin unpacks her journey from MTSU sports broadcasting to CMT live shows and Discovery’s HGTV/Travel Channel universe, through layoffs, COVID, and mandates, and into a new chapter helping business owners with property, books, and growth strategy. They dive into how TV production skills translate into CRE, why storytelling still matters, why AI should be a tool and not a crutch, and where opportunities are emerging in trades, storage, and service businesses. They also riff on music, live performance, what our kids are listening to, and why authenticity is about to be at a premium. Timed highlights:00:00 Broadcasting roots, project management, and BNI connections02:56 Switching from forensic pathology to sports broadcasting at MTSU03:56 First TV job in Charleston and sideline sports reporting08:03 Chicago: staffing Fox Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, and CMT14:39 Behind the scenes of CMT’s Hot 20, award shows, Crossroads, and more17:27 Layoffs on maternity leave and the shrinking TV job market23:28 Discovery/HGTV and the “Brady Bunch house” renovation project32:30 Managing Bon Jovi and Hank Jr. bars with Big Plain Holdings35:35 Growing up in a builder/agent family and moving into commercial real estate41:10 The AI debate: tool vs. crutch for creatives and marketers49:43 What Gen Z is listening to, and why kids are obsessed with Queen and Michael Jackson51:01 What Four Points Business actually does for trades and small business owners52:35 Why storage and trade services are in private equity’s crosshairs58:32 Owning your “hot mess” and building a personal brand anyway Listen to more episodes and apply to be on the show at:mmtbp.com Podcast production by:itsyourshow.co

    Broadcasting to Business w/ Katelin Ford :: 292 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  2. Jul 17

    Luxury Spec Home Building w/ Josh Hein :: Ep 291 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Luxury spec building can make or break you. Nashville-area builder and developer Josh Hein of Hein Properties joins Jim McCarthy to unpack the real numbers, lender games, rezoning battles, and mindset it takes to survive – and win – in the high-end custom and spec home space. From Tennessee rock and septic nightmares to mid-construction refis and village-style master-planned communities, this is a masterclass for builders, investors, and serious real estate players. Timed Highlights:00:00 Luxury margins and the difference between spec and custom building02:00 Show intro, Jim’s role, and Mule Town Bikes shoutout04:45 Josh’s path from commercial construction in Michigan to Nashville luxury homes08:20 Scaling up: loan-to-cost ratios, volume, and getting to 90% LTC12:30 Tennessee realities: rock, septic, and six-figure site prep surprises15:30 The truth about draws, warehouse lines, and lender “gotchas”21:00 Mid-construction refinancing and using interest reserves to protect the asset24:20 Jim’s own construction loan war stories and using property as a business hub32:50 Rezoning gauntlets in Rutherford and Maury Counties and winning support45:40 The trades talent gap, generational shifts, and why blue collar is booming51:10 Hein’s philosophy: timeless design, being on-site, and obsessing over details59:10 Difficult buyers, warranty expectations, and protecting your brand1:01:55 Wellness spaces, saunas, golf simulators, and hidden speakeasy-style rooms1:06:25 Vision: non-cookie-cutter village-style master-planned communities1:11:05 Helping other builders: lenders, lessons, and what Josh would do again1:11:44 Where to find Josh and the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast online Guest website: heinproperties.comMore Episodes: mmtbp.comPodcast Studio: itsyourshow.co

    Luxury Spec Home Building w/ Josh Hein :: Ep 291 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  3. Jul 10

    Nashville Wellness And GLP-1s w/ Scott Crosbie :: Ep 290 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Nashville wellness entrepreneur Scott Crosbie of Next Health joins Jim to break down the booming longevity space: GLP-1s, peptides, red light, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, hormone therapy, and why “wellness” is about to go as mainstream as gyms. From franchising and staffing two high-end clinics in the Gulch and Green Hills to practical advice on labs, protein, and biohacking for real people, this episode connects cutting-edge health tech with everyday Middle Tennessee life. Timed Highlights:0:00 Jim’s CPAP, sleep apnea, and surprise weight gain4:51 Scott’s path from motels and sign shops to Next Health franchisee8:28 Is wellness still “weird,” or officially mainstream?10:20 The wellness wave: how it will mirror the gym explosion13:26 Why GLP-1 drugs are poised for mass adoption19:52 Cost, Ozempic face, and smarter dosing strategies25:28 America’s food problem, RFK, and the rise of clean fast-casual30:38 Therapeutic plasma exchange: an “oil change” for your body32:01 Stem cells, regeneration, and doing it in the US39:21 Pills on pills: over-medication vs. prevention42:51 Hormone therapy, testosterone, and living better after 4047:20 Biomarker testing as your body’s dashboard53:08 Cryotherapy, red light, and hyperbaric oxygen explained58:18 Peptides, nootropics, and why people actually feel these1:03:05 How a first visit to Next Health usually works1:05:42 Expansion plans for Green Hills, Franklin, and Charlotte1:06:21 Where to find Scott and Next Health online1:06:33 Why this probably won’t be Scott’s last time on the show More Episodes: MMTBP.com Filmed and Produced by: ItsYourShow.co Guest links.Website: nexthealth.comScott on Instagram: instagram.com/swcrosbieNext Health Gulch: instagram.com/nh.nashvilleNext Health Green Hills: instagram.com/nh.greenhills

    Nashville Wellness And GLP-1s w/ Scott Crosbie :: Ep 290 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  4. Jul 3

    Losing $1M And Finding Purpose w/ Nick Cavuoto :: Ep 289 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Entrepreneur and pastor to founders Nick Cavuoto joins Jim to unpack grit, faith, and rebuilding after losing a million dollars in revenue, from growing a megachurch to coaching owner-led businesses through their “evolution,” not crisis. Timestamps:02:40 – Middle Tennessee business owners “going through the mud”03:50 – Nick’s origin story: drug dealing, Jesus, and an entrepreneurial family tree06:10 – Entitlement, over-cuddling, and raising kids who “do hard things”10:30 – Teaching kids that life is hard and choosing your version of “hard”13:40 – From church growth to panic attack: when ministry becomes machine20:20 – Exiting ministry, going back to school, and graduating with a 3.824:40 – Church hurt, reconciliation, and separating calling from a building31:55 – 100 therapy sessions in a year and unpacking buried leadership trauma34:00 – The partner split, Covid, and losing $1M in recurring revenue35:30 – Encouraging 5 people a day for 35 days and the best sales week ever39:42 – “There is no crisis, only evolution” and re-framing entrepreneurial pain43:15 – The shocking truth: multi-million-dollar owners with no written goals45:20 – Clarity, 90-day sprints, and non-negotiables like family vacations48:45 – John Maxwell’s momentum principle and the bullet-train analogy51:52 – Scattered founders, “best intentions,” and the cost of staying vague55:35 – Future pacing: turning a scattered creator into a focused rainmaker1:02:20 – Divine nudges, obedience, and why doing the hard thing fast feels lighter1:04:27 – Asking for help, avoiding being an “ask hole,” and how to work with Nick1:05:44 – Where to find Nick and how to connect with the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast For more episodes → MMTBP.com Podcast Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/ Guest's website →nickcavuoto.com

    Losing $1M And Finding Purpose w/ Nick Cavuoto :: Ep 289 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  5. Jun 26

    How Pros Run Podcasts w/ Nick Hiter :: Ep 288 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Host Jim McCarthy sits down with fellow producer and host Nick Hiter (The Hit Streak, The Hit Lab) for a long‑form, no‑BS conversation on the business of podcasting, building real relationships, and leading with faith and family. They dive into everything from pricing your show like a pro and filtering guests, to why short‑form content exploded, what’s broken in traditional media, and how podcasting became the ultimate networking machine. Nick also opens up about parenting, youth sports, legacy, and why confidence is really the memory of success. If you’re a creator, business owner, or aspiring host who wants to treat your show like a real business, this episode is a masterclass wrapped in a real conversation. Timed Highlights: 01:45 Tony Soprano “thought leader” quotes03:25 Studio evolution and remote production09:38 Ally vs competitor mindset in podcasting11:00 What counts as a podcast in 2026?16:00 Why most podcasters quit early16:36 Frequency, consistency, and compounding25:59 The real cost per episode and guest fees33:00 Curating a 52‑episode season like a roster38:20 Podcasting as a legacy for your kids46:30 IRS, fear, and what we’re not questioning1:10:50 Parenting, baseball, and confidence1:21:10 18‑hour days, family time, and boundaries1:30:00 Drums, radio, and SiriusXM imaging For more episodes → MMTBP.com  Guest’s website → NickHiter.com Guest’s podcast → The Hit Streak Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/

    How Pros Run Podcasts w/ Nick Hiter :: Ep 288 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  6. Jun 19

    Kenny Rogers’ Nephew on AI and Music w/ Jarod Rogers :: Ep 287 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with songwriter and artist Jared Rogers, nephew of Kenny Rogers, for a fast-moving, story-packed conversation. They dive into how AI is changing songwriting, why listeners will crave “imperfect” human music, what Jared learned directly from Kenny, and how artists can still stand out in a streaming, algorithm-driven world. Along the way, you’ll hear wild Vegas stories, faith and family moments, and a surprising Dolly Parton encounter at the studio. Timed Highlights0:00 James Taylor on the red carpet and the kindest people in music3:29 Opening the show from Christian Brothers of Spring Hill Studios and Mule Town Bikes7:45 Vegas radio, 9/11, and how a city pulls together in crisis22:57 AI, songwriting, and the coming hunger for human imperfection35:23 Kenny Rogers’ role in saving Jared’s life and shaping his career47:38 Story songs, streaming, and why artists are getting crushed on payouts59:16 Dolly Parton, signed guitars, and how true stars treat their fans1:10:40 Guilty pleasures: 90s music, Twilight, and comfort B-movies1:23:30 Marvel, DC, and why culture on a set (or in an office) really matters1:32:00 Jared’s project “American Ville on the Road” and where to follow him For more episodes → MMTBP.com Podcast Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/ Guests website →https://hallowedtruthrecords.com Guest Social Media → @jaredrogersofficial

    Kenny Rogers’ Nephew on AI and Music w/ Jarod Rogers :: Ep 287 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  7. Jun 12

    Hiring Without The Headache w/ Ashley Pack :: Ep 286 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with HR and recruiting pro Ashley Pack, founder of Four Point People, to talk about how small and mid-sized businesses can finally fix their hiring, retention, and culture problems. Ashley shares how she went from teaching to transportation to making 200 cold calls a day during the pandemic, then into payroll and now running a recruiting and fractional HR firm focused on blue collar and trades. She explains why so many owners struggle to keep good people, what they’re doing wrong in interviews and onboarding, and how a few simple systems can completely change the way your team performs. If you’re a business owner tired of bad hires, high turnover, or culture drama, this conversation will hit home. Timed highlights01:01 Welcome back Ashley Pack and the origin of Four Point People06:19 From teaching and transportation to recruiting bus drivers10:47 Making 200 cold calls a day with Aflac during the pandemic17:57 Growing up around a homebuilding business and payroll21:25 What Four Point People actually does for business owners21:55 The real hiring problem most owners don’t see27:25 Catholic guilt, reading people, and in-person interviews32:03 The questions candidates should always ask employers43:21 Why owners can’t expect employees to care like they do52:26 How to fire fairly: warnings, documentation, and communication1:03:00 Why trades and blue collar businesses need HR help most1:14:34 TikTok, BS detectors, and reading personalities1:19:36 Affiliate program and where to find Four Point People online For more episodes → MMTBP.com  Guests website → https://fourpointpeople.com/ Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/

    Hiring Without The Headache w/ Ashley Pack :: Ep 286 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

  8. Jun 5

    Pressure; Social and Washing w/ Rebecca Ruiz :: Ep 285 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Rebecca Ruiz runs Superior Washing Services, homeschools nine kids, and is still showing up to 7 AM BNI with energy. In this episode we talk about choosing trades and entrepreneurship over the traditional college path, the reality of six-figure student loan debt, raising entrepreneurial kids, and scaling a blue-collar service business in Middle Tennessee.We also dive into work-life balance, hiring challenges, and what it really takes to build a family-first lifestyle business in today’s economy. Timed Highlights:02:05 E-bikes, latchkey kids, and growing up unsupervised09:45 Rebecca’s path: early college, chemistry, and leaving the PhD track14:32 Launching a window and pressure washing business18:04 Life as a former touring drummer in family mode20:00 How Rebecca keeps going with nine kids and a growing business25:38 Pushback on big families and “too many kids”27:33 The 11-year-old entrepreneur who out-hustled Mom on gum sales33:15 How school systems kill student entrepreneurship40:58 The teacher who tells kids “you have a gift” instead of “go to college or fail”44:30 The long-term reality of six-figure student loan debt54:13 Why trades and “dirty jobs” deserve more respect (and better PR)58:08 Apprenticeships vs. degrees – what we’ve lost1:00:35 Do our kids really need a liberal arts education to succeed?1:09:55 Why Rebecca homeschools and is skeptical of college culture1:10:41 Superior Washing Services: what they do and who they serve1:12:41 The convention that changed their business trajectory1:18:57 How amateurs destroy siding, concrete, and plants with pressure washers1:21:35 Time, money, and why most homeowners should not DIY1:24:49 The hardest part of scaling: hiring trustworthy techs1:28:04 When business advice ignores real-life family constraints1:30:33 How to find and follow Superior Washing Services For more episodes → MMTBP.com  Guests website → https://superiorwashingservices.comStudio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/

    Pressure; Social and Washing w/ Rebecca Ruiz :: Ep 285 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast
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Real conversations about the stories, challenges, struggles and triumphs of Middle Tennessee's entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals. Broadcasting from the J2HQ in Thompson's Station. www.mmtbp.com

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