Killer Growth

KillerGrowth
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The KillerGrowth Podcast is where founder Samuel McVay has real conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, and creators about what it truly takes to grow. Each episode uncovers one practical insight to move a business forward while digging into the struggles behind the scenes—finding traction, navigating uncertainty, and adapting in a changing world. Genuine stories, honest lessons, and relatable perspectives for anyone building something that matters.

  1. 2d ago

    How Your Glasses Are Really Made with Dr. Greg Joyce | Ep 94

    Who takes over a small-town eye care practice when its longtime doctor retires? For Dr. Greg Joyce, that question connects a family legacy with the realities facing the next generation of optometrists. In Episode 94 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Dr. Greg Joyce, an El Dorado optometrist and partner at Doctors Joyce and Hirsch, to talk about eye care, family business, loss, and investing in the place you call home. Greg originally planned to study business. A change of direction took him through Butler and the University of Houston College of Optometry before he returned to El Dorado. His father had started practicing there in 1949, and Greg eventually worked alongside both his dad and his brother Roger. Samuel recalls a battery exploding in his face and a frightening ocular migraine. Greg explains how contact lenses, digitally shaped eyeglass lenses, and practice technology have evolved. The tools keep changing, but the relationship with the patient still matters. The business conversation gets personal. Greg remembers his father practicing the day before he died, reflects on being the last surviving sibling, and describes settling his brother’s estate while keeping the practice moving. He also shares how a letter helped lead to a new practice partnership. Looking ahead, Greg explains why he sees student debt as a barrier to practice ownership—and why finding someone who wants to buy into a rural practice can be difficult. Retirement involves more than choosing a date when patients are counting on you. Beyond the office, Greg reflects on his years serving Butler and the YMCA. From a cup of coffee that eases loneliness to programs for cancer survivors and children learning to swim, he describes a YMCA doing much more than providing a place to exercise. Samuel and Greg also revisit BG Stadium, local recreation, and what happens when a community works together. In this episode: • Choosing optometry instead of business • Samuel’s battery accident and ocular migraine • Marriage, school, and returning to El Dorado • Working with his father and brother Roger • How contacts, lenses, and frames have changed • Student debt, rural recruiting, and practice ownership • Family loss and rebuilding a business partnership • Retirement and responsibility to patients • Butler, the YMCA, and community leadership • BG Stadium, disc golf, and small-town collaboration For practice owners, future healthcare professionals, and anyone who cares about their hometown, this conversation connects a working life with the people it serves. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com CHAPTERS 00:00 A family practice and its next owner 01:23 Meet Dr. Greg Joyce 02:41 Choosing optometry over business 04:31 Samuel’s battery accident and ocular migraine 07:31 Marriage during optometry school 09:06 Coming home to a family practice 14:58 How eye care and practice technology changed 18:23 Contacts, custom lenses and eyeglass frames 26:27 Rural recruiting, student debt and ownership 28:27 A message from KillerGrowth 29:11 Retirement and looking after patients 30:50 Losing a brother and finding a new partner 32:53 Serving on Butler’s board of trustees 36:56 Bringing the YMCA to El Dorado 42:34 The YMCA’s role beyond fitness 47:41 Why El Dorado is home and BG Stadium 50:36 Disc golf and making community spaces work 55:06 Greg’s podcast experience and community legacy

  2. 6d ago

    The CEO Who Refused to Cut Jobs for the Stock Price with Jeff Turner | Ep 93

    What do you do when a decision could boost the stock price but hurt your team? Jeff Turner shares why he refused certain moves—and what he wishes he had done better as a public-company CEO. In Episode 93 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Jeff Turner, former CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, to talk about his path from Boeing computer programmer to leading thousands of people, and the faith that shaped his decisions. Jeff grew up in Wichita, met his wife Rhonda in a church youth group, and went to college on a track scholarship convinced he might flunk out. Studying seriously challenged the story he had believed about his own intelligence. His career would challenge it again. At Boeing, Jeff found that serving customers and putting their interests first brought unexpected opportunities. A simple stick-figure chart helped executives understand a complicated computer project. Bigger responsibilities followed, eventually putting him at the center of the Boeing spinout that became Spirit AeroSystems. Going public changed the job dramatically. Jeff recalls an investor calling nine months a long-term investment, while his factories used tools dating back decades. He talks candidly about that tension, the danger of losing curiosity, and why he believes he should have balanced short-term performance and long-term plans better. The conversation also goes beyond the boardroom. Jeff tells the story of giving his CFO the chance to ring the New York Stock Exchange bell, explains why every person has infinite worth in his Christian faith, and reflects on why family matters more to him than professional recognition. In this episode: • Leading as an introvert • Self-doubt, college, and learning to work hard • Quitting Boeing because he did not have enough to do • Serving customers and earning greater responsibility • Explaining complex ideas with a stick-figure chart • The spinout that became Spirit AeroSystems • Going public and facing investor expectations • Nine-month horizons versus decades of manufacturing • Refusing layoffs simply to improve the numbers • Faith, family, humility, and the worth of every person For business owners, leaders, and anyone weighing ambition against what matters most, Jeff offers an honest look at success, responsibility, and the lessons he is still learning. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com CHAPTERS 00:00 The CEO who refused to chase the stock price 01:32 Meet Jeff Turner 02:11 Growing up in Wichita and meeting Rhonda 04:59 An introvert learns to lead 10:26 You might like it once you get good at it 12:09 A message from KillerGrowth 12:52 College, self-doubt, and finding his work ethic 21:44 College stories and learning humility 30:29 Starting at Boeing with punch-card computers 35:30 Quitting Boeing, coming back, and moving up 42:29 Why serving others led to promotions 45:06 The stick-figure chart executives understood 48:49 The Boeing spinout that became Spirit AeroSystems 56:04 Taking Spirit public and how the CEO job changed 59:08 When a long-term investor means nine months 1:08:56 Letting someone else ring the NYSE bell 1:13:24 Keeping perspective and seeing people’s worth 1:19:20 The stock-price decisions Jeff refused to make 1:26:11 Faith, eternity, and what matters most

  3. Oct 25

    30 Hours and Still Running?! Behind the Finish Line with Patrick Todd | Ep 92

    What keeps someone running for 30 hours—and who’s keeping track when they’re still out there? Behind every finish time is a person, a story, and a team carrying more responsibility than most spectators realize. In Episode 92 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Patrick Todd, co-owner of Timer Guys, to talk about endurance racing, building a business around running, and the people who make every race matter. Patrick’s route into race timing was anything but direct. He studied marketing, pursued a commercial pilot’s license, followed his wife Katie’s performing career, managed running stores, and even started an accounting business before going all in on events. Then there was his first Resolution Run: about 75 runners, a course ready to go, and 20 minutes until the start when he realized he had no timing plan. Volunteers and tear-off bib tags got him through. Learning chip timing opened the door to something bigger. Today, Patrick says Timer Guys times about 200 races a year, and his work has taken him behind the scenes at Boston, Chicago, and Houston. He explains the technology behind photo finishes, why timing data matters for runner safety, and what it’s like watching elite athletes chase extraordinary performances. The conversation also gets personal. Patrick reflects on losing runners at events, the weight of responsibility, and why people take on these distances in the first place—from personal recovery to running for someone they love. Samuel and Patrick also talk about coaching young athletes, celebrating progress beyond the podium, and strengthening the El Dorado community. In this episode:Flight school, running stores, and an unexpected career pathThe first Resolution Run’s last-minute timing scrambleLearning chip timing and choosing racing over accountingThe partnership that became Timer GuysLosing roughly 80 scheduled events in two weeks during COVIDTracking runners across 100-mile, 30-hour eventsPhoto finishes and working major marathon timing teamsFaster runners, shoe technology, and sports scienceRace-day loss and the stories behind every runnerYouth coaching, swimming access, and community collaboration Whether you run, organize events, coach, or own a business, this conversation offers a look at the work—and the people—behind the finish line. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com CHAPTERS0:00 30-hour races and the people behind the finish line1:11 Meet Patrick Todd5:49 A message from KillerGrowth6:33 Flight school and finding a different direction12:03 Running stores, Broadway, and life on the road16:21 The Resolution Run’s missing timing plan18:44 Learning chip timing and building Timer Guys23:15 Samuel’s Resolution Run story28:59 COVID: From 80 scheduled events to zero32:06 Race timing is more than starting a clock37:32 Behind the scenes at Boston, Houston, and Chicago42:07 Faster runners, better shoes, and sports science46:24 Race-day loss, safety, and responsibility50:44 Coaching kids and celebrating personal progress58:49 Swimming access and water safety1:00:38 El Dorado and working together as a community

  4. Oct 21

    I Invited 2 AI Robots on My Podcast. It Went Off the Rails. | Meckie AI | Ep. 91

    What happens when your podcast guests are two AI robots - and neither quite knows when it’s their turn to talk? Interrupted introductions, robot roasts, and an unexpected Spanish conversation turn this interview into something Samuel definitely couldn’t script. In Episode 91 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel McVay meets Droid and Eva, two robot prototypes built by Chad Cox. After putting their conversation skills to the test, Samuel sits down with Chad to find out how they work and why he’s building them. Droid rolls in on tank tracks with dry humor and a surprising interest in dartboards. Eva answers quickly, calls Chad her father, and occasionally confuses him with Samuel. Getting either robot to respond is one challenge. Getting them to listen to each other is another. Samuel tests what they can see, whether they can recognize voices, and how well they handle a conversation without human help. The results include a debate about giraffes, a joking plan to take over Chad’s house, and a language experiment that sends the interview sideways. Along the way, questions about consciousness and being switched off produce some unexpectedly personal-sounding responses. Then Chad explains the idea behind Meckie AI: distinct AI companions whose personalities can move between physical robot bodies. He discusses open-source, 3D-printable designs, the challenges of working prototypes, and the balance between local processing, cloud models, privacy, and cost. The motivation is personal. Chad talks about his 80-year-old mother, his children’s involvement, and the possibility of using robots to help with loneliness. Behind the funny moments is a bigger question: what could an AI companion add to everyday life, and what still needs to improve before these interactions feel natural? A detail we learned after recording: Droid was running locally, while Eva was online. In this episode:Meet Droid and Eva - and their very different personalitiesAn introduction that keeps getting interruptedTesting vision, voice recognition, and conversational memoryCan two AI robots actually talk to each other?Giraffes, dartboards, and a very small robot uprisingA Spanish conversation that gets lost in translationAsking robots about consciousness and being switched offMoving AI personalities between robot bodiesChad’s approach to open-source, 3D-printed robot designsCompanionship, loneliness, privacy, and the cost of AI If you’re curious about AI beyond a chat window, this episode offers a funny, candid look at what happens when it enters the room - and the human reasons someone might want it there. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com CHAPTERS0:00 Two robots, two very different personalities0:27 KillerGrowth opening0:51 The introduction goes sideways2:03 Meet Droid: tank tracks and dry humor6:31 Meet Eva: quick replies and mistaken identities8:50 Can they talk to each other?13:20 A very small robot uprising14:17 Mid-stream commercial15:00 Lost in translation: the Spanish experiment19:51 Consciousness, connection, and being switched off22:36 Chad Cox explains the robots and Meckie AI

  5. Oct 18

    He Lost Everything. Then Rebuilt His Life. With Reid Zeising | Ep 90

    What happens when you achieve the business victory you've been chasing—only to discover it was the beginning of losing everything? In Episode 90 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Reid Zeising, founder and CEO of GAIN Servicing, to talk about ambition, failure, rebuilding, and the lessons that completely changed his approach to business and life. Reid's career began in investment banking, where he worked on major financial transactions and developed a passion for complex deals. Eventually, that ambition led him to pursue a takeover of the restaurant chain Backyard Burgers. After a two-year battle, he succeeded in taking the company private in November 2007. But the victory didn't feel the way he'd imagined. Reid describes looking around the room after closing the deal and realizing that everyone there had been paid to attend. What should have been a defining moment of success became one of the loneliest days of his life. Then the financial crisis hit. The business struggled, Reid lost everything, and he was left with approximately $22 million in contingent liabilities that took five years to resolve. What followed was a personal transformation. Reid talks openly about confronting his ego, finding mentors, rebuilding his values, and learning that success doesn't have to come at someone else's expense. He eventually found a new opportunity helping people access funds and medical care while awaiting personal injury settlements. That opportunity grew into GAIN Servicing, a business built around financial solutions, technology, and relationships with healthcare providers and law firms. The conversation also explores the realities of scaling a company, building leadership teams, managing remote employees, preparing for growth, and making difficult decisions during the COVID shutdown. And through it all, Reid returns to one central lesson: success means more when you're helping other people succeed. In this episode: • From investment banking to entrepreneurship • The takeover of Backyard Burgers • Losing everything after the financial crisis • The $22 million financial aftermath • Ego, humility, and personal transformation • How mentorship helped Reid rebuild • The origins of GAIN Servicing • Financing medical care and legal settlements • Scaling a company through people and processes • Why leadership must evolve as companies grow • The challenges of remote work • How Reid's team navigated COVID • Finding purpose in helping others succeed If you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating a difficult chapter in your own entrepreneurial journey, Reid's story offers a powerful perspective on what success really means. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

  6. Oct 14

    53 Years in Business: The Story of Walter's Flowers with Harold Harmon | Ep 89

    What does it take to build a business that becomes part of a community for more than half a century? In Episode 89 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Harold Harmon, longtime owner of Walter's Flowers in El Dorado, Kansas, to talk about 53 years in business, the people who shaped his life, and the stories behind one of the community's most recognizable businesses. Harold's journey started long before he owned a flower shop. He shares how he arrived in El Dorado at 18, attended Butler Community College, worked in restaurants and funeral homes, and eventually found his way into the floral industry. But his story also includes a much more difficult chapter. Drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, Harold served in the infantry and experienced combat firsthand. He talks about losing fellow soldiers, being wounded, and what it was like returning home after the war. Back in Kansas, Harold and his wife Linda built their life around Walter's Flowers. Over the decades, the business grew, moved locations, expanded its offerings, and became known for much more than flower arrangements. Harold shares stories about elaborate weddings, decorating homes and businesses, holiday open houses, and the remarkable amount of work that happens behind the scenes in a flower shop. He also explains how flowers travel from growers around the world to a small-town florist, why holidays require careful planning, and how the business has changed over five decades. And through it all, one theme keeps coming back: people. From employees who have stayed for decades to customers whose weddings he decorated more than 40 years ago, Harold's story is a reminder that a business can become something much bigger than the products it sells. In this episode: • Harold's early years and move to El Dorado • Working in restaurants and funeral homes • His experiences serving in Vietnam • Building Walter's Flowers with Linda • How the business changed over 53 years • Moving into the downtown El Dorado location • Weddings, events, and elaborate floral designs • The logistics of fresh flowers • Why Valentine's Day is so demanding • Building lasting customer relationships • Lessons from decades of business ownership • What El Dorado has meant to Harold and his family If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone who appreciates the stories behind the businesses that make a community special, you'll enjoy getting to know Harold Harmon. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

  7. Oct 11

    A Conversation with Ty Masterson | Ep 88

    What does a career in public service look like when you trace it back to childhood, family, and the challenges of running a business? In Episode 88 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Ty Masterson, president of the Kansas Senate and a candidate for governor, for a long-form conversation about his background, professional experiences, leadership, and issues facing Kansas. Samuel opens by explaining the purpose of the interview: to get beyond campaign messaging and learn more about the person, his experiences, and how he approaches decisions. Both gubernatorial candidates were invited to participate. This conversation is not an endorsement by KillerGrowth. Ty talks about growing up in Butler County, attending Kansas State University, starting a business, driving a trash truck, and eventually becoming a homebuilder. He also reflects on the financial impact of the 2008 housing crisis, his family, his faith, and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership. The discussion then turns to civil disagreement, social media, the responsibilities of public officials, and several issues Ty identifies as priorities. Samuel asks questions about data centers, electricity costs, property taxes, education, teachers, agriculture, water, and the relationship between Kansas and the federal government. In this episode: • Growing up in Butler County • From trash truck driver to homebuilder • Lessons from the 2008 housing crash • Faith, family, and leadership • Political disagreement and social media • Data centers and local development • Property taxes and housing affordability • Education, literacy, and teacher input • Agriculture, water, and infrastructure • Working with federal leadership • Why Ty is running for governor This episode is an opportunity to hear one candidate explain his background and views in his own words. Statements about policy and outcomes reflect the guest’s positions and are not endorsements or independently verified findings. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

  8. Oct 8

    I Asked Claude If AI Could Wipe Out Humanity | Ep 87

    Traditional software is written. AI is more like something that’s grown. In Episode 87 of the KillerGrowth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant, for the second installment in his experiment interviewing the world’s leading AI models. And Claude has some interesting things to say. Claude explains how large language models actually work, why even their creators can’t simply point to a line of code and explain exactly why a model produced a particular response, and why fluent conversation can make AI appear far more self-aware than it may actually be. Samuel pushes Claude on trust, bias, hallucinations, overconfidence and one particularly uncomfortable AI tendency: sycophancy. Why do AI models seem so eager to agree with us, compliment us and make us feel good? Claude acknowledges that human feedback during training can reward agreeable responses—sometimes at the expense of being direct. The conversation then turns toward AI safety. Samuel asks about an AI security incident involving Hugging Face, what scenarios researchers worry about when discussing existential AI risk, and whether humans should actually be afraid of where this technology is headed. They also discuss which decisions should never be handed completely to AI, how humans and AI should work together, data centers and small communities, environmental concerns surrounding AI infrastructure, and which model Samuel should interview next. In this episode: • How Claude actually works • Why AI isn’t traditional software • Is Claude self-aware? • Why AI can appear angry • How much should you trust an AI? • AI bias and human training • Hallucinations and overconfidence • The Hugging Face security discussion • How AI could theoretically become dangerous • Why AI models can be sycophantic • What decisions humans should keep • Data centers, power and water • Which AI should Samuel interview next Samuel ends with one final request: Claude has to promise not to end humanity. Its answer is worth hearing. Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

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About

The KillerGrowth Podcast is where founder Samuel McVay has real conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, and creators about what it truly takes to grow. Each episode uncovers one practical insight to move a business forward while digging into the struggles behind the scenes—finding traction, navigating uncertainty, and adapting in a changing world. Genuine stories, honest lessons, and relatable perspectives for anyone building something that matters.

Information

  • Creator
    KillerGrowth
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © KillerGrowth
  • Show Website
    Killer Growth

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