The Plug Podcast by Jeff Kohl & Pat Schiller

Jeff Kohl & Pat Schiller
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business
  • Updated Bimonthly

Welcome to The Plug — the show where real people talk real business. I’m Jeff Kohl — builder, entrepreneur, and connector. I’ve made the mistakes, learned the lessons, and now I’m sitting down with others who’ve done the same. Each episode, I talk with founders, CEOs, tradespeople, athletes, and wildcards about the ups, downs, and everything in between — from deals and career pivots to comebacks and construction. It’s unfiltered, insightful, often funny, and always real. Whether you’re building a business, a house, or just your next chapter — you’re in the right place. Subscribe and get plugged in.

Episodes

  1. Jul 8

    Episode 12: Content & Digital Marketing Playbook Behind CPX Pickleball | The Plug Pod ft Kyle Sulkar

    Kyle Sulkar (Sulkar Media, CPX Pickleball) breaks down how he used digital marketing, including Facebook ads, content, and now AI, to build one of the first direct-to-consumer pickleball paddle brands from the ground up. Before pickleball, Kyle spent a decade running an advertising agency, flipping cars, and testing (and failing at) multiple e-commerce products. This episode is his full playbook: what worked, what didn't, and how he thinks about digital marketing today. We cover the real difference between marketing and advertising, how AI is changing content creation and customer service, and the specific digital marketing decisions behind launching CPX Pickleball.

  2. Jul 7

    Episode 011: How to Buy Your First Home (The RIGHT Way) | The Plug Pod ft. Tigi Tasso

    Thinking about buying a home but don't know where to start? In this episode, Jeff Kohl sits down with Tigi Tasso — Designated Managing Broker at John Green Realtors and member of the Main Street Realtors Board of Directors — to break down everything you need to know about the home buying (and selling) process. Tigi pulls back the curtain on what really happens from your first conversation with an agent all the way to the closing table — and why so much of it surprises first-time buyers. **In this episode:** - How to pick the RIGHT agent (and why part-time agents can cost you) - What a buyer consultation actually looks like - Buyer agency agreements and who pays the commission - Making offers, earnest money, and multiple offer situations - Home inspections, attorney review, and the 10-day negotiation window - Appraisals, comps, and what happens when a home doesn't appraise - Closing costs, transfer taxes, and fees nobody warns you about - Final walkthrough tips and what "broom clean" actually means - The #1 mistake buyers make between contract and closing (hint: don't buy a car) - What shocks new homeowners in the first 1–3 years - Why waiting for rates to drop or a market crash may cost you more Whether you're a first-time buyer or just haven't been through the process in a while — this one's for you. **🎙️ Guest:** Tigi Tasso | John Green Realtors | Main Street Realtors Board of Directors --- *Like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest home buying question!*

  3. Jul 7

    Episode 010: From Assembly Line to CEO | The Plug Pod ft Joe Chura

    Jeff Kohl and Pat Schiller are joined by Go Brewing founder Joe Chura to share his journey from working on the Ford assembly line to building and selling a $200M+ tech company — and ultimately starting over with Go Brewing. He breaks down the realities of entrepreneurship, from imposter syndrome and burnout to acquisitions, mental health, and finding purpose beyond success. A raw conversation about grit, risk, reinvention, and why sometimes the best move is to just go.

  4. 12/09/2025

    Episode 009: The Future of Learning with LEAP Innovations’ Scott Frauenheim

    On this episode, Jeff sits down with Scott Frauenheim, CEO of LEAP Innovations and Distinctive Schools, to talk about how personalized learning, AI, and classroom design are reshaping education. Scott explains the difference between public, private, and charter schools, why so many teachers are burning out, and how LEAP partners with schools to make learning more engaging and relevant for today’s digital-native students. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just curious about where school is headed, this conversation offers a clear look at the future of education.

  5. 10/22/2025

    Episode 008: Gene Therapy, Rare Disease & the Future of Medicine with Pat Girondi

    When Pat Girondi’s son was diagnosed with thalassemia, a rare and often fatal blood disorder, his life changed overnight. A former commodities trader and South Side Chicago native, Pat left everything behind to search for a cure—eventually founding San Rocco Therapeutics, a company now leading the fight to make gene therapy more affordable. In this conversation, he shares how a father’s determination became a global mission, the obstacles of battling big pharma, and the hope that’s driving the next wave of medical breakthroughs.

  6. 10/08/2025

    Episode 007: Beyond “Million Dollar Marco”: Betting, Business & Life Lessons

    In this candid and unfiltered sit-down, Marco Piemonte opens up about his real story—from a turbulent childhood, military school and lost identity as an athlete, to building a family, thriving in the car business and card-collecting world, and navigating the highs and lows of sports betting. Marco pulls back the curtain on the life events that shaped him, the hustle that drives him, and the lessons learned on fatherhood, business, and giving back.

  7. 09/25/2025

    Episode 006: Riding for CUREage: Brad Beetham on Cal’s Angels and the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer

    To donate to Jeff's campaign visit: https://charity.pledgeit.org/CalsAngelsCUREage2025Ride/@JeffreyKohl On the latest episode, Jeff sits down with Brad Beetham, board chairman of Cal’s Angels, to talk about the organization’s incredible mission to grant wishes, raise awareness, and fund groundbreaking pediatric cancer research. Brad shares the story of how Cal’s Angels began, his own family’s journey through childhood cancer, and the impact their CUREage Ride fundraiser has made over the years. From cross-country treks to this year’s 450-mile challenge, Brad explains how every mile is dedicated to the kids and families fighting the toughest battles of their lives.   #CalsAngels #PediatricCancerAwareness #CUREageRide #ChildhoodCancer #GoGold #CancerResearch #GiveBack #DoGood #CharityRide #CyclingForACause #MilesForSmiles #Chicago #LurieChildrens #Midwest #Fundraiser #Community #Hope #BradBeetham

  8. 09/04/2025

    Episode 005: Clay Harbor on His NFL Career, Overcoming Adversity, Finding Purpose Beyond the Game

    Former NFL tight end Clay Harbor sits down with Jeff Kohl and Pat Schiller for an unfiltered conversation on his incredible journey. From growing up in small-town Illinois and overcoming a turbulent childhood to carving out a nine-year NFL career, Clay opens up about perseverance, sacrifice, and the drive that pushed him forward. He shares inside stories from the league, what it was like competing for a spot on the roster, the tough reality of injuries, and how a stint on The Bachelorette unexpectedly shaped his post-football path. Plus, the guys swap memories from training at Extreme Speed, moving from trailers to the NFL, and what it means to keep grinding after setbacks.     #ClayHarbor #NFL #SportsPodcast #ChicagoSports #UnderdogStory #Resilience #TheBachelorette #BachelorNation #TightEnd #PhiladelphiaEagles #JacksonvilleJaguars #NewEnglandPatriots #DetroitLions #ChicagoBears #FromHumbleBeginnings #Grind #Discipline #Mindset #CHSN #TheCharter

  9. 08/07/2025

    Episode 004: Marquette's Jake Richard on Building Culture, Team USA, and Life Lessons in Lacrosse

    Jeff sits down with Jake Richard, head coach of Marquette Lacrosse and former Team USA gold medalist, to unpack an incredible journey of leadership, resilience, and legacy. From his humble beginnings as a multi-sport athlete on the East Coast to becoming an All-American, pro lacrosse player, and now mentor to the next generation, Jake shares powerful lessons on family, discipline, and the pursuit of greatness. He opens up about his professional career, his time with Team USA, the evolution of pro lacrosse, and how building culture and serving others have shaped his life on and off the field.

  10. 08/04/2025

    Episode 003: Attorney & Problem-Solver Pat Walsh on Law, Relationships, and Helping People Win

    Attorney and lifelong problem-solver Pat Walsh sits down with Jeff Kohl for a conversation about life in and out of the courtroom. From handling high-stakes cases and late night emergency calls to coaching youth baseball and dad jokes, Walsh explains why helping people is his true high. They break down why lawyers get a bad reputation, how relationships and trust are everything in business, and why consistent hard work is the secret to success.

  11. 07/16/2025

    Episode 002: Serial Entrepreneur Ken Buckman on Solving Problems, Mentorship, and Massive Growth

    Rainy Investments CEO Ken Buckman joins Jeff Kohl and Pat Schiller for a deep dive into what it really means to be an entrepreneur. From his early days selling bikes in Naperville to building a multimillion-dollar trade show business and real estate empire, Ken shares decades of hard-earned lessons, near-disasters, and wild wins. The guys talk mentorship, surviving financial crises, turning tax problems into profits, and the not-so-glamorous truth about entrepreneurship.

  12. 07/14/2025

    Episode 001: Figuring It Out: Pat Schiller - First Guest Ever

    Welcome to Episode One of The Plug — where the audio’s rough, the plan’s half-baked, and we’re figuring it out as we go. We kick things off with my first guest (and now co-host), Pat Schiller — a former NFL linebacker turned construction entrepreneur and my unexpected business partner. We dive into how The Plug came to be, Pat’s path from pro football to pouring concrete, and how our friendship evolved into a full-blown business venture—without much of a blueprint. It’s raw, a little chaotic, and 100% us. Let’s build this thing together. #plug #construction #nfl #networking #entrepreneurship #business #realestate #football #friends #podcastlaunch #wealthbuilding #tattoos #failures #johnDeere #humor #Jeff #Pat

  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Plug — the show where real people talk real business. I’m Jeff Kohl — builder, entrepreneur, and connector. I’ve made the mistakes, learned the lessons, and now I’m sitting down with others who’ve done the same. Each episode, I talk with founders, CEOs, tradespeople, athletes, and wildcards about the ups, downs, and everything in between — from deals and career pivots to comebacks and construction. It’s unfiltered, insightful, often funny, and always real. Whether you’re building a business, a house, or just your next chapter — you’re in the right place. Subscribe and get plugged in.

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