Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

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

    5D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. Ep 20 - Matt Dery: Inside the Career of a Sports Broadcaster, Detroit Sports Legends & the Psychology of Exit Planning

    FEB 10

    Ep 20 - Matt Dery: Inside the Career of a Sports Broadcaster, Detroit Sports Legends & the Psychology of Exit Planning

    In Episode 20, Brendan sits down with Matt Dery, a 30-year sports broadcasting veteran and one of the most recognizable voices in Detroit sports media. Matt shares stories from his decades of play-by-play, reporting, and interviewing — including behind-the-scenes moments with Detroit sports legends and the lessons he learned living inside the world of professional sports. From radio days to TV hits to hosting Locked On Lions and the Dery Brothers GuardiansCast, Matt walks through a career shaped by preparation, persistence, and a deep love for the craft. They also discuss Matt’s newest chapter at Financial Architects, where he brings his communication and relationship-building skills into marketing, recruiting, and business development. This episode is packed with storytelling, nostalgia, and wisdom from a career spent behind the mic. In this episode, we cover: Matt’s early days breaking into sports journalismWhat it’s really like calling play-by-play at a professional levelBehind-the-scenes stories from interviewing Detroit sports legendsThe evolution of sports media from radio → TV → podcastingWhy storytelling is central to great broadcastingMatt’s shift to Financial Architects and how he now builds relationships off-air🎙 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.

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

    FEB 3

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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