Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

Brendan Walsh
  • 5.0 (7)
  • CAREERS

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 19 — Lulu Fall: The Journey to Broadway, the Power of Art & Leading Cabaret 313

    4D AGO

    Ep 19 — Lulu Fall: The Journey to Broadway, the Power of Art & Leading Cabaret 313

    In Episode 19, Brendan sits down with Lulu Fall, a multidisciplinary artist whose long, winding path to Broadway is as inspiring as her work itself. Lulu opens up about her deep love for music, theater, and the arts — and the perseverance required to navigate setbacks, self-discovery, and the grind of a creative career. Today, Lulu continues her artistic work while serving as the Executive Director of Cabaret 313, where she helps elevate Detroit’s performing arts community and create platforms for intimate, world-class storytelling. This episode explores creativity, resilience, the realities of the Broadway journey, and what it means to dedicate your life to the arts. In this episode, we cover: Lulu’s long road to performing on BroadwayThe determination and self-belief required for a creative careerHer love for the arts, theatre, and music — and how they shaped her identityWhat she’s learned from performing across stage and screenHer vision as Executive Director at Cabaret 313Why storytelling and performance remain essential human experiences🎙 The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Follow us: Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Available on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube • Amazon • Google Podcasts 🔗 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves creativity and storytelling.

    52 min
  2. Ep 18 - Sarah Zigila: The HEART of Leadership, People Development & Human Energy

    JAN 27

    Ep 18 - Sarah Zigila: The HEART of Leadership, People Development & Human Energy

    In Episode 18, Brendan sits down with Sarah Zigila, VP of People Development at Orbis Holding Group, Vistage Speaker, Zumba instructor, and the force behind a leadership movement called HEART. Sarah’s work blends research from the HeartMath Institute with practical leadership development—showing how our emotional state doesn’t stay inside us, but radiates outward and shapes the people around us. She shares how leaders can regulate their own energy, create healthier environments, and lead with intention, presence, and humanity. This conversation goes deep into emotional intelligence, culture-building, and what it truly means to develop people from the inside out. In this episode, we cover: Sarah’s journey into people development and leadership coachingThe science of emotional energy and HeartMath researchWhy leaders must understand the impact of their internal stateThe HEART framework and how it’s reshaping leadership trainingHow movement, mindfulness, and self-awareness build better teams🎙 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.

    37 min
  3. Ep 17 - Mary Zatina on Leadership, Community Impact & the Power of Public Radio

    JAN 20

    Ep 17 - Mary Zatina on Leadership, Community Impact & the Power of Public Radio

    In this episode, Brendan sits down with Mary Zatina, General Manager of WDET 101.9FM and one of Detroit’s most respected leaders in communications, nonprofit work, and community advocacy. Mary has spent her career linking message strategy to reputation, public service, and meaningful change — whether guiding turnaround efforts, building high-performing teams, or launching major campaigns with limited resources. She shares her journey across journalism, government, public radio, and nonprofit fundraising, offering powerful lessons on leadership, service, and staying rooted in purpose. And yes — she also delivers one of the best dog stories we've ever heard on this podcast. In this episode, we cover: Mary’s path from public service to leading WDETHow message strategy shapes reputation and community trustHer nonprofit and fundraising work across DetroitLessons from building teams during complex turnaround momentsWhy dogs have played such a meaningful role in her lifeA story every dog lover needs to hear🎙 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 16 - Matt Rossetti: Inside the Mind of the Chief Architect of Fun

    JAN 13

    Ep 16 - Matt Rossetti: Inside the Mind of the Chief Architect of Fun

    Episode 16 — Matt Rossetti: Designing Stadiums, Cities & the Architecture of Fun In this episode, Brendan sits down with Matt Rossetti, President & CEO of ROSSETTI and the “Chief Architect of Serious Fun.” Matt shares how he designs world-class stadiums, entertainment districts, and urban spaces by blending rigorous strategy with a philosophy centered on joy, human connection, and meaningful experiences. He breaks down how ROSSETTI’s data-driven Return on Design process uncovers a project’s true value — and why the best architecture must go beyond form and function to shape how people feel, move, and come together. In this episode, we cover: How Matt developed his “serious fun” design philosophyThe strategy behind designing stadiums and fan experiencesWhy data and human behavior are central to modern architectureWhat the future of city and venue design looks like🎙 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.

    34 min
  5. Ep 15 - Ashley Davidson: The Art of Building Community: Lessons from Luxury Brands, Hospitality & Storytelling

    JAN 6

    Ep 15 - Ashley Davidson: The Art of Building Community: Lessons from Luxury Brands, Hospitality & Storytelling

    Episode 15 — Ashley Davidson: Storytelling, Reinvention & Building Community Through Creativity In this episode, Brendan sits down with Ashley Davidson, a creative strategist and storyteller whose career has taken her from the world’s biggest fashion blog to luxury brands, hospitality, and home restoration. Ashley reflects on her early days at Fashionista, her work with Chanel in France, and the storytelling campaigns she helped shape for brands like Lincoln Motor Company as they reimagined their identity. She also shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching her Detroit bar and café — a neighborhood spot that quickly became one of the Top 10 in the Midwest — and how she later fell in love with an old West Village home, restoring it back to its original beauty. Through every chapter, Ashley shows how creativity, intuition, and storytelling can build community and connect people in unexpected ways. In this episode, we cover: Ashley’s early career at Fashionista and what she learned inside a top global fashion hubHow she helped Chanel tell deeper, more human stories during a campaign in FranceHer role in shaping storytelling for brands like Lincoln Motor CompanyThe process of creating a Detroit bar/café that became a Midwest standoutHow she restored a historic West Village home — and why it matteredThe common thread of storytelling that runs through every chapter of her career🎙 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
  6. Ep 14 - Brian Katz: The Hidden Side of Filmmaking: Funding, Investors & AI

    12/22/2025

    Ep 14 - Brian Katz: The Hidden Side of Filmmaking: Funding, Investors & AI

    I can confidently say I laughed more during this episode than any other on The Enthusiastic Life Podcast. It was an absolute blast sitting down with Brian Katz of Umbrelic and Anchor Bay Entertainment. We had a wide-ranging, fun, and thoughtful conversation that covered everything from career paths to pop culture debates. In this episode, we talk about: 🎬 How Brian got his start in the film industry 🤝 Why networking—and who you know—matters more than ever 🖖 Star Trek vs. Star Wars 👨‍👧 Fatherhood and the importance of being present 🎄 And yes… whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie This was a really fun one, and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording it. 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments—especially if you have strong thoughts about Die Hard. Links are below: 🍎 Apple: https://lnkd.in/g3T4p3tS 🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gSidAkFH 📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/dadZieQrdNo?si=IzAMnVIg2pQm3iJP

    46 min
  7. Ep 13 — Claude Molinari: Detroit’s Comeback, Tourism Strategy & Hosting The NFL Draft

    12/11/2025

    Ep 13 — Claude Molinari: Detroit’s Comeback, Tourism Strategy & Hosting The NFL Draft

    In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Claude Molinari, President & CEO of Visit Detroit, one of the most influential voices shaping the region’s growth, reputation, and momentum. Claude shares an inside look at Detroit’s continued resurgence — from major events and tourism strategy to economic impact and regional collaboration. He discusses what it takes to market an entire city, how Detroit competes on a national stage, and why he believes the region’s best days are still ahead. This is a masterclass in leadership, storytelling, and building civic pride. In this conversation, we cover: - Detroit’s evolution — where the city is today and why the world is paying attention - How major events come to Detroit (NFL Draft, conventions, tourism moments & more) - Collaboration across business, government & community - Why storytelling matters for cities — and how Visit Detroit uses it strategically - Claude’s leadership philosophy and how he motivates teams to think bigger - The future of Southeast Michigan and what’s on the horizon If you enjoyed this episode… 👍 Like the video 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping their industries 💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway from Claude! The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Follow us: Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Listen on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube • Amazon • Google Podcasts 🔗 Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a nudge toward their next big leap.

    41 min
  8. Ep 12 — Kerry Duggan: Working In The White House, Climate Solutions & Public Impact

    12/01/2025

    Ep 12 — Kerry Duggan: Working In The White House, Climate Solutions & Public Impact

    In this episode of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Kerry Duggan, a nationally recognized climate & energy expert, CEO of SustainabiliD, and senior advisor to leaders across government, tech, and industry. Kerry has worked at the highest levels — including advising the Obama-Biden Administration — and now helps organizations develop real solutions for climate, infrastructure, and resilience. Kerry brings a powerful blend of urgency, optimism, and practicality. She shares her journey from Detroit to Washington D.C., what it’s really like influencing national energy policy, and how communities can navigate climate challenges with innovation and collaboration. This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, public service, sustainability, and living a meaningful, impact-driven life. In this episode, we cover: Kerry’s path to becoming a national climate & energy leaderHer experience advising the Biden Administration and shaping federal policyHow public and private sectors can work together to solve big problemsWhat sustainability actually looks like at the community levelWhy optimism and resilience matter in the face of global challengesKerry’s leadership philosophies — and how she helps organizations think biggerAbout Kerry Duggan Kerry Duggan is the CEO of SustainabiliD, a board director, and a trusted advisor to government and industry leaders. She has served in senior roles in the Obama-Biden Administration and has spent her career helping communities and organizations build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. If you enjoyed this episode… Like the video  Subscribe for more inspiring leadership conversations  Comment with your biggest takeaway from Kerry 🎙️ The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media 📲 Follow us: Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast 🎧 Listen on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube • Amazon • Google Podcasts 🔗 Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs a spark of enthusiasm today.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 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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