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

    6d ago

    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/

    1h 44m
  2. Kenny Rogers’ Nephew on AI and Music w/ Jarod Rogers :: Ep 287 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    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

    1h 34m
  3. Hiring Without The Headache w/ Ashley Pack :: Ep 286 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    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/

    1h 22m
  4. Pressure; Social and Washing w/ Rebecca Ruiz :: Ep 285 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    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/

    1h 33m
  5. How Real PR Works w/ Cathy Cardenas :: Ep 284 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    May 29

    How Real PR Works w/ Cathy Cardenas :: Ep 284 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Publicist and entertainment manager Cathy Cardenas joins the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast to unpack how real PR works in 2024: word-of-mouth over ads, picking the right clients, protecting reputations in the internet age, and keeping faith at the center through brutal personal seasons. Cathy and Jim swap radio war stories, talk about WWE and NFL stars, dig into hard lessons from bad clients, and break down what it actually takes to be “PR ready” as a brand or business. Cathy also shares how she built her agency almost entirely on referrals, launched a clothing line and a faith-based podcast, and walked through a year that included losing her mom and her son’s cancer battle. Timed highlights:00:00 Self-employed life and intro to the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast05:00 Launching a PR firm in a financial crisis and the Lucha Libre breakthrough07:18 Why her entire PR business is built on word-of-mouth10:33 Turning people away: “You’re not ready for PR yet”18:22 The “Ferrari principle” of being selective with clients26:45 The “I want a Gary V content machine on a $60K salary” conversation30:41 From Lucha Libre to TNA Wrestling and working with Hulk Hogan33:38 NFL, NBA, WWE, Danica Patrick, Danica McKellar, and Donovan McNabb42:33 How the internet changed crisis and reputation management51:24 Thank-you notes, fan engagement, and the Taylor Swift playbook58:00 Hope Wear Clothing, Grace Begins podcast, and giving back59:43 Losing her mom and her son’s cancer year – and which clients stayed1:03:43 Her son’s cancer-free update and why she added consulting mmtbp.comCathyCardenas.com@GraceBeginsThePodcast on Youtube

    1h 5m
  6. Church Hurt & Choosing Life w/ John Myers :: Ep 283 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    May 22

    Church Hurt & Choosing Life w/ John Myers :: Ep 283 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    John Myers of Alliance Family Services joins Jim to talk candidly about faith, church hurt, and the hard conversations around abortion and real-world ministry. They dive into John’s journey from missionary kid to youth pastor to working with Alliance Women’s Clinic, why honesty and trust matter more than polished church branding, and how men must step up in the pro‑life conversation. Jim shares deeply personal stories about grief, divine nudges, and what it really means to hear from God in everyday life. If you or someone you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy, or wrestling with doubts about church, faith, or the pro‑life movement, this conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope. Timed highlights: 1:42 Football, rugby, and late‑night baby cardio7:36 Ice cream, Ninja Creami, and nutrition struggles at 5010:48 Eggnog, alcohol, and learning moderation12:21 John’s missionary‑kid upbringing and moving all over the world15:11 Church hurt, trusting pastors, and putting faith in Jesus instead of people19:04 Jim’s journey into apologetics and the case for Christ25:05 Prophecies, Bible credibility, and why the details matter31:26 Meeting his British wife, moving to England, and life in ministry47:14 Leaving a church staff role over leadership issues52:16 Branding, church shopping, and when church becomes an idol58:00 Marketing candor, Avis vs. Hertz, and why people crave honesty1:11:05 How John ended up at Alliance Women’s Clinic in Tennessee1:13:32 What Alliance actually does for women and families1:17:10 Abortion, the Holocaust comparison, and the numbers no one wants to talk about1:19:50 Why John believes unborn children have God‑given value1:38:41 Services Alliance offers, including abortion pill reversal1:44:54 Post‑abortive care and why Jesus still wants the rose1:49:38 How to connect with Alliance Women’s Clinic and support the work Alliance Women’s Clinic (local site): https://alliancewomensclinic.org Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: https://mmtbp.com Studio: https://itsyourshow.co

    1h 51m
  7. AI & The Future Of Car Buying w/ Brian Ankney :: Ep 282 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    May 15

    AI & The Future Of Car Buying w/ Brian Ankney :: Ep 282 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Jim McCarthy sits down with Babcox Media’s Brian Ankney to talk about how a 106-year-old automotive media company keeps reinventing itself with video, AI search, and niche-focused content. They dive into the real future of car dealerships, F&I, EVs, and what “good” selling actually looks like in 2026. If you’re in automotive, real estate, or any small business that lives on leads and relationships, this episode is loaded with practical perspective and stories from the trenches. Highlights00:00 Sales vs “being pushy”: reframing what selling really is03:30 E-bikes, safety, and 50-year-old-guy workouts04:27 Who is Brian Ankney and what is Babcox Media?05:38 How a 106-year-old print company reinvented into video and podcasts06:25 Building a garage studio right before COVID (and what it did for the business)08:05 Letting the market tell you where to go (niche media and product pivots)13:21 How Babcox uses AI instead of editorial calendars15:11 AI search, car shoppers, and why “traditional” search is quietly shrinking18:16 Why not paying attention to AI search could cost 30–40% of your market20:53 What the next generation dislikes about AI (and why)21:14 Tech shortages in dealerships, body shops, and repair facilities24:42 Subscription car services and the future of vehicle ownership28:21 Cars as rolling storage units and the “junk trailer” idea30:38 New battery tech and the truth about “clean” energy32:21 EVs, coal plants, and how emissions are really measured33:54 Leasing vs buying EVs and the resale value problem37:17 Full-serve gas in New Jersey and post-COVID fuel lines38:21 Third-generation leadership at Babcox and staying “100 years young”41:03 Inside culture at Babcox: open doors, mandatory AI, and cross-brand collaboration42:05 Why Brian now hosts multiple industry podcasts43:19 How much engineering goes into tire tread43:58 Early career: selling cars, consulting, and flying every day pre-9/1147:34 High-pressure window sales, 65% first-night close, and getting thrown out of houses52:33 Lessons from the Honda and Mercedes showroom floors55:10 Why most people are still going to need a human in the car-buying process _____________________________________________________________________ ****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: www.mmtbp.com www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

    1h 10m
  8. From Printer To Power Broker w/ Phillip Cantrell :: Ep 281 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    May 8

    From Printer To Power Broker w/ Phillip Cantrell :: Ep 281 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

    Phillip Cantrell went from running a family printing business to building Benchmark Realty into a multi-state brokerage closing over $5 billion a year in sales. In this episode, we talk about pivots, faith, hard times, and why real estate is facing its own “2008 moment” with AI and industry lawsuits. Phillip shares what he learned from brutal commercial printing, how he rebuilt during the 2008 crash, why he sold Benchmark, and what agents and business owners must do to survive the next wave of change. If you’re an entrepreneur, real estate pro, or anyone grinding through a tough season, this one’s for you. Timed Highlights:00:00 Real estate, radio, and low-bar professions04:08 Launching Benchmark from the front room of his house17:52 The 2008 crash flips the switch off overnight19:18 Reinventing as a fee-based brokerage model22:24 Borrowing against the house but not quitting31:38 Building culture and clarity as a CEO36:37 Selling Benchmark and stepping out of the way38:01 Lawsuits, consolidation, and a new “2008 moment”43:35 How AI really changes real estate51:23 Why agents lose repeat business they should own1:03:31 How Fed policy and easy money broke housing1:07:32 Homeownership vs apartments and long-term wealth1:12:36 Lessons from 40+ years, wins and losses _____________________________________________________________________ ****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: www.mmtbp.com www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos     __________________________________________________________ Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP. Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept: https://linktr.ee/mamwmw ___________________________________________________________ If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours! https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668  ___________________________________________________________ ***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”: https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip _________________________________________________________________ The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:  Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org ______________________________________________________________________ Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

    1h 16m
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5
out of 5
37 Ratings

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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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