Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

Brendan Walsh
  • 5.0 (8)
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Brendan Walsh is the host of the Enthusiastic Life podcast - where he interviews friends, colleagues, and all around interesting people to learn about their origin stories, what's made them successful, what lessons they've learned throughout life and most importantly what's bringing them joy

  1. Ep 28 - Erik Meier: Sales, Leadership & Coaching Teams to Perform at a Higher Level

    1H AGO

    Ep 28 - Erik Meier: Sales, Leadership & Coaching Teams to Perform at a Higher Level

    In Episode 28, Brendan sits down with Erik Meier, CEO of Sandler Training by EAM Consulting Group, to talk about what it really takes to succeed in sales, leadership, and business today. Erik shares how his career in sales training evolved, the lessons he’s learned coaching professionals across industries, and why most people misunderstand what great selling actually looks like. From mindset and communication to leadership and accountability, Erik breaks down the principles that help individuals and teams perform at a higher level. They also explore how leaders can become better coaches, why traditional sales approaches often fall short, and what separates top performers from everyone else. In this episode, we cover:  What most people get wrong about sales  The Sandler approach to selling and why it works  How to lead and coach high-performing teams  The role of mindset in sales and leadership success  Why communication is the foundation of performance  Lessons from working with leaders across industries 🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod 📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    40 min
  2. Ep 27 - Ashok Sivanand: Life After Exit, Startups, Mindfulness & Building What’s Next

    APR 8

    Ep 27 - Ashok Sivanand: Life After Exit, Startups, Mindfulness & Building What’s Next

    In Episode 27, Brendan sits down with Ashok Sivanand, a tech founder who has experienced the full arc of building, scaling, and ultimately exiting a company — and is now navigating what comes next. Ashok shares the real story behind selling a business, what life looks like after the exit, and how his perspective on success, identity, and purpose has evolved. They dive into his work in AI and product development, but also explore something deeper — mindfulness, meditation, and how those practices shape the way he approaches both life and leadership. The conversation also touches on Ashok’s new chapter as a step-dad, his experience as a podcast host with The Convergence Podcast, and how he’s thinking about building, creating, and living with more intention moving forward. In this episode, we cover:  The journey of building and exiting a company  What life actually feels like after a successful exit  How mindfulness and meditation influence leadership and decision-making  Ashok’s perspective on AI, startups, and product development  Becoming a step-dad and navigating a new season of life  His work on The Convergence Podcast and continued creative output  What it means to build something meaningful — again 🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    55 min
  3. Ep 26 - Clint Crook: AI, Enterprise Technology & Solving Complex Business Challenges

    MAR 31

    Ep 26 - Clint Crook: AI, Enterprise Technology & Solving Complex Business Challenges

    In Episode 26, Brendan sits down with Clint Crook, a technology leader with deep experience helping organizations solve complex business challenges through AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise systems. Clint breaks down how companies are actually using AI, data, and digital tools today — moving beyond the hype to real-world applications that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. From digital twins and data governance to large-scale enterprise integrations, Clint shares what it takes to successfully implement technology at scale. They also explore leadership in high-stakes environments, working with C-suite teams, and how to navigate complex projects while balancing reliability, cost, and innovation. In this episode, we cover:  How AI is actually being used inside businesses today  What “agentic AI” and enterprise AI solutions really mean  The role of cloud infrastructure, data, and integrations  Why most companies struggle with complex tech implementation  Leadership lessons from working on large-scale enterprise projects  How to balance innovation with reliability and cost 🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    40 min
  4. Ep 25 — Katie Katz: The Estate Planning Gap & Building Mitzi for Women and Families

    MAR 24

    Ep 25 — Katie Katz: The Estate Planning Gap & Building Mitzi for Women and Families

    In Episode 25, Brendan sits down with Katie Katz, founder of Mitzi, a company built to solve one of the most overlooked problems in America today — the estate planning gap. Today, nearly 70% of Americans don’t have a plan in place, and many don’t even realize they need one. Katie shares how her experiences across law, nonprofit work, and finance revealed just how broken and inaccessible the system is — especially for women and families. She explains why this gap matters so deeply, from preserving generational wealth to reducing the emotional and administrative burden placed on loved ones during life’s hardest moments. With women expected to inherit $84 trillion over the next two decades, the stakes have never been higher — yet confidence and access remain low. Mitzi is Katie’s answer: a more human, approachable way to help people plan, protect, and move forward with clarity and peace of mind. In this episode, we cover:  What the “estate planning gap” is — and why 70% of Americans are unprepared  Why this issue disproportionately affects women and families  The emotional and financial consequences of not having a plan  Katie’s journey from law, nonprofit, and finance into entrepreneurship  How Mitzi is rethinking estate planning to make it more accessible and human  Why confidence, clarity, and control matter in planning for the future 🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    36 min
  5. Ep 24 — Dr. Seth Krupp: Inside Emergency Medicine & Building the Future of Care in Detroit

    MAR 10

    Ep 24 — Dr. Seth Krupp: Inside Emergency Medicine & Building the Future of Care in Detroit

    In Episode 24, Brendan sits down with longtime friend Dr. Seth Krupp, Vice Chair of Operations for the Emergency Department at Henry Ford Health. Seth shares the story of how he found his calling in emergency medicine, what residency was really like inside one of the country’s most respected training programs, and how he ultimately made his way to Detroit. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the massive work underway to design and build a brand-new emergency department and hospital, opening in 2029. From interviewing ED teams across the country to rethinking patient flow, staffing, technology, and even the helicopter operations — Seth explains how this new space is being built with intention, humanity, and impact. This episode blends medicine, design, leadership, and some unexpectedly awesome stories (including the helicopter ones). In this episode, we cover: Seth’s path into emergency medicine and what drew him to the fieldWhat it was really like training in a high-intensity residency programHow he came to Detroit and what makes its medical community specialThe design process behind Henry Ford Health’s new emergency department & hospitalHelicopters, jumpsuits, and other unexpected parts of the jobSeth's love for trees and his passion project on the Grosse Pointe City Council🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    47 min
  6. Ep 23 - Adam Steiner: From Performing Worldwide to Reinventing a Family Business

    MAR 3

    Ep 23 - Adam Steiner: From Performing Worldwide to Reinventing a Family Business

    In Episode 23, Brendan sits down with Adam Steiner, a performer whose career has taken him from musical theatre stages across the country and around the world — including national and international tours of Cats, Gypsy, and Shrek the Musical. Adam shares what life is really like on the road, the highs and challenges of performing night after night, and how his years in theatre shaped his identity. Today, Adam channels his creativity into running Steiner Merchandise — known for their “Good Times Soft Shirts” — where he’s expanded the family business into new markets, new products, and even the fast-growing world of TikTok Shop. The conversation wraps with reflections on family, healthy habits, and how performers find ways to scratch the creative itch long after leaving the stage. In this episode, we cover: Adam’s early career in musical theatre and performing on national & international toursWhat life is really like on the road as a full-time performerHow he took over and reinvented the family business, Steiner MerchandiseDiversifying products, finding new audiences, and embracing TikTok ShopStaying creative, staying healthy, and keeping the “performer energy” aliveThe role family plays in work, life, and legacy🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    43 min
  7. Ep 22 — Lorna G. Utley: Lessons from the Woman Who Helped Shape General Motors’ Culture

    FEB 24

    Ep 22 — Lorna G. Utley: Lessons from the Woman Who Helped Shape General Motors’ Culture

    In Episode 22, Brendan sits down with Lorna Utley, a leader whose career spans more than two decades at General Motors—including serving as Head of HR during some of the company’s most pivotal years. Lorna shares what it was like to work at one of the largest companies in the world during its heyday, where she helped shape workplace culture, policy, and people strategy for hundreds of thousands of employees. She also reflects on her decade of leadership at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, where she served on the board before becoming CEO, leading major initiatives that strengthened the organization and the community. This conversation blends insider stories from Detroit’s auto industry, powerful lessons on leadership, her passion for golf, and deeply personal insights on marriage and family—Lorna and her husband Jud have been married for 49 years, and her advice is some of the most heartfelt we’ve heard on the show. In this episode, we cover: What it was really like to lead HR at GM during its most influential eraHow workplace policies evolved and the role Lorna played in shaping themHer journey from GM to leading Goodwill Greater DetroitInsights on leadership, culture, and developing peopleHer love for golf—including favorite courses around the worldHer wisdom on marriage, relationships, and building a strong family life🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    46 min
  8. Ep 21 - Ryan Dewan: From College Golf to Creative Founder

    FEB 17

    Ep 21 - Ryan Dewan: From College Golf to Creative Founder

    In Episode 21, Brendan sits down with a familiar face — Ryan Dewan, co-founder of Wave Media, creative director, storyteller, dad, golfer, and the producer behind The Enthusiastic Life Podcast. With a last-minute cancellation, Ryan stepped in as today’s guest, opening the door for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on his journey and the heart behind Wave Media. Ryan shares how he went from working construction to radically changing direction and building a creative agency from the ground up. He talks about life inside the media and production world, the lessons that shaped him, and some of his favorite shoots and projects over the years. They also dive into Ryan’s college golf days, his love for fatherhood, and the story of how he and Brendan met — and how that connection sparked the growth of this podcast. This episode is honest, wide-ranging, and a chance to hear the story behind the storytellers. In this episode, we cover: Ryan’s journey from construction to launching Wave MediaWhat he’s learned building a creative career from scratchFavorite projects, shoots, and experiences in the production worldCollege golf, competition, and how the game shaped himLife as a dad and building a life aligned with valuesHow Brendan and Ryan met — and why the EL Pod matters so much to both🎙 The Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod  📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.

    44 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Brendan Walsh is the host of the Enthusiastic Life podcast - where he interviews friends, colleagues, and all around interesting people to learn about their origin stories, what's made them successful, what lessons they've learned throughout life and most importantly what's bringing them joy

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