On The Same Team

Jacob Stevenson

Business podcast about collaboration, shared successes, and a mindset of abundance!

  1. Oct 23

    Iowa State Senator Catelin Drey on Local Politics & Running for Office

    How does an everyday parent go from frustrated scroller to Iowa State Senator in just a few years? Catelin Drey, State Senator for Iowa's District 1, shares how showing up in her community led her to public office, and why local involvement matters more than most people realize. On this episode of On the Same Team, Catelin talks about making Sioux City her hometown after moving six times growing up, her path from Morningside University to teaching in Honduras, social work, photography, nonprofit work with the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, and digital marketing. She explains how frustration with policy led her to start Moms for Iowa, a social media account that helps parents stay informed and engaged, and how that work led her to run in a 2025 special election with just 47 days to campaign. We also dig into the real mechanics of running for office, why local races like school board and city council deserve more attention, what it really costs to serve in the Iowa Legislature, and why she believes honesty and accessibility make a good public servant. In this episode: - How everyday citizens can get involved in local advocacy - How a special election and nominating convention work - Why local offices matter as much as national ones - Building trust through honesty, accessibility, and accountability - Legislator pay, campaign finance, and who's missing from the table - Leading by bringing people along with you CHAPTERS 00:00 Making Sioux City her hometown 16:32 From social work and photography to starting Moms for Iowa 23:06 How everyday citizens get involved and run for office 33:25 Why local races matter more than you think 50:07 The real cost of serving: legislator pay and campaign finance RESOURCES MENTIONED Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder CONNECT WITH CATELIN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catelindrey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catelin_drey/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catelin_drey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dreyforiowa Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams. #Iowa #CivicEngagement #OnTheSameTeam

  2. Oct 16

    From Tesla to Lamar: Sales, Culture & Community Leadership | Sean Fessler

    What do Tesla's early days, cold calling, and billboards have in common? Sean Fessler, Vice President and General Manager at Lamar Advertising in Sioux City, shares the lessons that took him from pushing carts at Costco to leading a market for the largest billboard company in North America. On this episode of On the Same Team, Sean talks about working 40 hours a week while earning his degree at Rockhurst University, starting in freight logistics, and joining Tesla during the Model S boom, including what made that culture so intense and why he eventually stepped away. He explains how he found his way to Lamar, climbed from account executive in North Carolina to sales manager in Montana to VP/GM in Iowa, and what cold calling taught him about resilience. We also discuss how Lamar enters a new market as a community partner, donating billboard space to local nonprofits, and how private equity and acquisitions are reshaping the outdoor advertising industry. In this episode: - Time management lessons from working full time in college - Inside Tesla's early culture: camaraderie, belief, and burnout - Why cold calling builds better salespeople - The power of referrals and word-of-mouth marketing - How a national brand becomes a local community partner - Gratitude as a daily habit for success CHAPTERS 00:00 Working full time through college 10:53 Inside Tesla's early culture, and the burnout 21:06 Why cold calling builds better salespeople 31:52 How Lamar becomes part of a new community 47:18 Sean's success habit: practicing gratitude RESOURCES MENTIONED East of Eden by John Steinbeck Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry CONNECT WITH SEAN Lamar Advertising Sioux City: lamar.com/siouxcity Find Sean on LinkedIn Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams. #SalesLeadership #Leadership #OnTheSameTeam

  3. Oct 9

    How Ted Kaasch Grew Omaha REIA to 400+ Members | Networking & Real Estate Investing

    How do you turn a local meetup into a 400-member real estate investing community with 50 sponsors, during a pandemic? Ted Kaasch, broker, investor, and owner of the Omaha Real Estate Investors Association (Omaha REIA), shares how networking built his entire career. On this episode of On the Same Team, Ted traces his path from selling Kirby vacuums at 12 to top car salesman through radical honesty, running a four-state territory for Thrasher, and eventually becoming a real estate broker and investor. He explains how he bought Omaha REIA in 2020, went all in on free, public content, and grew membership from roughly 70 to more than 400. We also get into flipping condemned properties, midterm rentals in the Midwest, reviving a car wash, creative laundromat income streams, and what he's learned growing the Kash & Dash podcast, including landing Brandon Turner and Pace Morby as guests. In this episode: - Buying and scaling a real estate investors association through COVID - Why honesty and clear expectations close more sales - Midterm rentals, Furnished Finder, and using guest feedback to improve your Airbnb - Turning condemned properties into profitable rentals - Podcast growth: big guests, cross-promotion, YouTube Shorts, and staying national - Why the best leaders build teams around their ideas CHAPTERS 00:00 Buying Omaha REIA as the pandemic hit and growing to 400+ members 08:47 Sales lessons: radical honesty and clear expectations 20:22 Condemned properties, midterm rentals, and a car wash 37:27 Building the Kash & Dash podcast 56:24 Stay in your lane, or build a team around it? RESOURCES MENTIONED Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss The One Thing by Gary Keller The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone Who Not How by Dan Sullivan Profitable Podcasting The Richest Man in Babylon CONNECT WITH TED Website: tedkaasch.com Instagram: @kaaschmoney Facebook: Omaha REIA Subscribe to On the Same Team for more conversations on collaboration, leadership, and building championship teams. #RealEstateInvesting #Networking #OnTheSameTeam

  4. Aug 28

    From Broadcasting to Building Hope: Sarah Morgan’s Leadership Journey

    The conversation covers Sarah's journey from college to her career in broadcasting, including her time at Mizzou and the influence of the university on her career. It also explores her transition to Camp High Hopes, her role in fundraising and marketing, and the programs offered by the camp. Additionally, it delves into the outreach and referrals for the camp's services. The conversation covers various aspects of Camp High Hopes, including its programs, return rates, capacity, funding challenges, staffing, transition to the executive director role, fundraising events, personal habits, and an ideal day with no responsibilities. Sarah Morgan shares insights into the organization's operations, challenges, and personal experiences, providing a comprehensive view of Camp High Hopes and her role as the executive director. Takeaways Transition from college to careerInfluence of Mizzou on careerChallenges and rewards of fundraising and marketingUnique programs and outreach at Camp High Hopes Camp High Hopes serves a diverse range of campers through various programs and partnerships.Funding and staffing are significant challenges for Camp High Hopes, requiring creative solutions and community support. Chapters 00:00 From College to Career01:53 The Transition to Mizzou02:52 The Influence of Mizzou03:42 Starting a Career in Broadcasting07:30 Moving to Omaha08:30 Differences in TV Markets10:18 Ownership and Industry Changes14:43 Transition to Camp High Hopes19:01 Fundraising and Marketing24:33 Camp High Hopes Programs28:04 Outreach and Referrals29:09 Camp High Hopes Programs and Return Rates30:41 Capacity and Camper Ratios33:12 Funding Challenges and Campership Costs36:21 Staffing and Caregiver Requirements38:09 Transition to Executive Director Role44:08 Fundraising Events and Community Engagement48:01 Reading and Personal Habits51:46 Ideal Day with No Responsibilities

  5. Jun 26

    April Mahr | The Power of Relationships in Mortgage Lending

    April Mahr shares her journey from an unexpected start in the mortgage industry to becoming a successful mortgage lender. She emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and relationship building in the industry, highlighting the challenges and growth opportunities she experienced. Jacob Stevenson explores the impact of sales, confidence, and customer service in the mortgage industry, as well as the value of adapting to industry changes and building trust with real estate agents. The conversation covers topics such as building trust and reputation, networking and relationship cultivation, evolution of role and leadership, mortgage operations and services, motivational book recommendations, personal motivation and energy, effective communication and follow-up, handling rejection and feedback, leisure and personal interests, connecting with the guest, and closing remarks and gratitude. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consistency, relationship building, and personal motivation in the mortgage industry. Takeaways Trust and transparency are crucial in the mortgage industrySales and confidence play a significant role in customer relationshipsAdapting to industry changes and building trust with real estate agents are key to success Consistency and trust are key in building a strong reputation.Effective communication and follow-up are essential for success in the mortgage industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to April Mahr05:08 Building Trust and Confidence10:42 Customer Service and Relationship Building16:24 Adapting to Industry Changes21:24 Building Trust with Real Estate Agents26:34 Networking and Relationship Cultivation31:39 Motivational Book Recommendations37:05 Leisure and Personal Interests

  6. Jun 20

    Stacie Anderson | Growth Happens When You Lean In

    In this episode of On the Same Team, Jacob Stevenson sits down with leadership speaker, entrepreneur, and community builder Stacie Anderson to explore what it truly means to invest in personal growth. Stacie shares her journey from a successful career in the jewellery industry to becoming a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, publisher of Expand Magazine, and founder of leadership events that inspire others to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Together, they discuss the value of being fully present, why personal development requires more than simply consuming information, and how slowing down can lead to deeper learning and lasting transformation. Stacie also opens up about taking risks, trusting her instincts, overcoming self-doubt, and creating opportunities for growth within her community. Whether you're a business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to become the best version of yourself, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and powerful reminders about the importance of continuous learning, intentional living, and showing up fully in every moment. 🎙️ Topics include: • Personal growth and leadership development • The John Maxwell philosophy • Why presence matters more than productivity • Investing in yourself and your future • Building a culture of learning and growth • Taking risks and embracing new opportunities • The power of consistency and intentional action Listen now and discover why growth begins the moment you decide you're worth the investment.

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Business podcast about collaboration, shared successes, and a mindset of abundance!