Caller ID

Brandon Davis Wells
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Careers

 Caller ID is a conversation-driven podcast exploring calling, career, and identity through real stories and honest dialogue. Hosted by Brandon Davis Wells, who has served in many roles from career coach, to college baseball coach, to broadcast professional for major networks like ESPN, IheartMedia, and more. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with professionals, creatives, leaders, and everyday people wrestling with the same questions we all face: Who am I called to be? What work fits who I’m becoming? How do faith, values, and purpose shape the way we work? This isn’t a podcast about quick career hacks or hustle culture. It’s about work that forms us, choices that matter, and finding meaning in the long, often winding path of vocation. Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, parent, or someone navigating change, Caller ID offers clarity, perspective, and encouragement for the work ahead.

  1. 6d ago

    S2:E9 | More Than a Title: My Call with Keith Ramsdell

    When Keith Ramsdell was studying theater, becoming the president of a national higher education organization wasn't exactly the plan. But theater, admissions, church ministry, and university leadership each shaped what he now understands about calling and purpose. In this conversation, Keith and I look beyond career titles to talk about servant leadership, imposter syndrome, mentorship, listening before leading, and why the most meaningful part of a job might be the people it allows us to encourage. We also explore whether college is worth it, the value of Christian higher education, and the difference between professional success and a life of service. Keith serves as president of NACCAP, the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals, and is a former colleague and friend from Ashland University. Your work matters, but it doesn't define who you are. Learn more about NACCAP: https://www.naccap.org/ Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  2. Oct 20

    S2:E8 Caller ID with Robyn Fralick: “It’s What We Do, Not Who We Are”

    What happens when the title gets bigger, the stakes get higher and more people begin judging you by the outcome? Michigan State head women’s basketball coach Robyn Fralick joins Davis Wells to talk about building a successful career without allowing the career to become your identity. Robyn shares the journey from Davidson to assistant coaching, a formative decade at Ashland University, rebuilding Bowling Green and eventually returning to her hometown area to lead Michigan State. Along the way, she explains why working for good people can be a career-changer, what Hall of Fame coach Sue Ramsey taught her about leadership, how different it is to run a program instead of simply coach, and why the people around a leader matter so much. They also explore the Bowling Green turnaround from last place to first, lessons from USA Basketball, the isolation that can accompany leadership, life with her husband Tim and their family, coaching as a calling, faith, competition, patience and the difficult work of separating outcomes from identity. Robyn puts the heart of the conversation simply: “It’s what we do. It’s not who we are.” Plus, Larry David vs. Ted Lasso, Caller ID word association, and a terrific answer about what 18-year-old Robyn might tell her today. Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  3. Oct 13

    S2:E7 | When Success Isn’t Enough: My Call with Jerry Cowley

    When Success Isn’t Enough: My Call with Jerry Cowley Jerry Cowley looked successful from the outside—moving up professionally, checking the boxes, and building a strong career. But as he shares in this conversation, outward success and inner fulfillment are not always the same thing. In this episode, Jerry and I talk about career pivots, identity, ego, family, entrepreneurship, teaching, retirement, and what it means to build a life that is not defined only by work. From being recruited off a baseball field into the painting trade, to corporate life, education, coaching, and eventually building a successful business of his own, Jerry’s story is really about learning what matters most. If you’ve ever felt the tension between doing well and actually feeling fulfilled, this conversation is for you. Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  4. Oct 6

    Caller ID: S2:E6 - AI Won't Wait. B.Davis Wells on AI and Our Careers

    In this episode, I talk through how AI can be an asset, not a liability, when it comes to career. I have a few practical suggestions as to how to incorporate it to help us eliminate some of the thorns in our way.  Can AI help us to flourish in some way? I talk about Nick Bostrom's pendulum swing from Armageddon to Utopia in his books SuperIntelligence and Deep Utopia.  Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  5. Sep 29

    Caller ID S2:E5 | Staying Rooted with Dusty Sloan

    Success doesn't always mean moving on to the next big thing—sometimes success means staying. On this episode of Caller ID, Brandon Davis Wells is joined by Dusty Sloan, Director of Athletic Communications at Ashland University. Dusty reflects on his 30-year career in sports journalism, navigating the non-linear path from pro football writer to Domino's driver to AU leader, and how faith and community have guided his decision to remain rooted in his hometown. Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  6. Sep 22

    Caller ID S2:E4 | Mike Parker on Presence, Calling Beyond Ministry, and Building a Real Estate Life After Burnout

    In this episode of Caller ID, B. Davis Wells talks with his friend and former bandmate Mike Parker about identity, calling, and the career shifts that followed a difficult season. Mike traces his path from studying business to nearly 20 years in youth and pastoral ministry, describing how being labeled “pastor” changed relationships and intensified imposter feelings. He shares how pressure to appear calm left him carrying unprocessed emotions until repeated personal and professional brokenness led to anxiety, panic, and his body shutting down, and how learning to process grief and lament became essential. Mike explains his transition into real estate—drawn by business interest and relational “ministry of presence”—and the stress of commission work, his resistance to “salesy” tactics, a grounding personal mantra, and his focus on family, balance, rest, and helping his kids know they’re loved. 00:00 Emotional Weight in Ministry 01:46 Show Intro and Guest Setup 03:53 Meeting Through Music 05:01 Career Arc in 90 Seconds 06:24 Pastor Life and Imposter Syndrome 10:31 Rethinking Calling Beyond Ministry 14:04 Personal Mantra for Anxiety 19:01 Mindfulness and Grounding Rituals 20:31 Pressure to Appear Calm 24:24 Why Real Estate 25:18 House Flips and Crash 25:58 Why Real Estate Fit 26:52 Commission Rollercoaster 29:06 Building Consistent Business 30:24 Selling Without Sleaze 33:10 Ministry Skills in Realty 34:12 Marriage Through Uncertainty 35:24 Ted Lasso vs Larry David 40:28 Presence and Success 43:54 Fatherhood and Love 45:26 Advice to Younger Self 47:18 Closing Reflections Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  7. Sep 15

    Caller ID S2:E3 with JD Hamilton | Behind the Scenes at the NCAA: Servanthood, Rules, and Identity with JD Hamilton

    On Caller ID, Brandon Davis Wells talks with JD, a longtime NCAA staffer and former ESPN spotter, about identity beyond work and the behind-the-scenes roles that keep college sports running. JD explains his current job as assistant director of playing rules and officials for men’s basketball and women’s lacrosse, including work with rules committees, officials, and game-flow emphases like traveling enforcement. He traces his path from sports information at Ole Miss and Purdue to the NCAA (since 2003), a 2020 COVID-era departure, and a return in a new role after time with Genius Sports and as courtside administrator for the Indiana Pacers. JD shares a passion for servant leadership—creating special opportunities for others—while admitting the burden of people-pleasing and his commitment to therapy. He highlights mentors, pride in speaking up about building a new Omaha stadium, and the joy of seeing teams raise trophies when athletes’ experiences aren’t disrupted. Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

  8. Sep 7

    Caller ID S2:E2 Adam Amin on Finding Joy, Earning Confidence, and Navigating Pressure in Broadcasting

    Adam Amin, the Chicago Bulls’ TV voice and a versatile play-by-play broadcaster for Fox Sports, reflects on finding joy in broadcasting despite early family skepticism shaped by his Pakistani immigrant upbringing, including his mother telling relatives he was in medical school until his first national TV break at 24 changed their view. He recounts falling into the craft through encouragement from an older friend at Valparaiso, learning through volume and repetition, and gradually replacing imposter syndrome with confidence—especially by understanding when to “lay out” and let the moment breathe. Amin discusses handling praise and criticism as human psychology in the social media era, building his voice by borrowing from many broadcasters, and valuing teamwork as a central professional lesson. He explains leaving ESPN after nine years for Fox and the Bulls role, and shares how DJing—started at 13—returned as a creative outlet alongside ongoing nerves, travel stress, and advice to trust your path while acknowledging struggles with drinking and depression in his 20s. Support the show Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

 Caller ID is a conversation-driven podcast exploring calling, career, and identity through real stories and honest dialogue. Hosted by Brandon Davis Wells, who has served in many roles from career coach, to college baseball coach, to broadcast professional for major networks like ESPN, IheartMedia, and more. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with professionals, creatives, leaders, and everyday people wrestling with the same questions we all face: Who am I called to be? What work fits who I’m becoming? How do faith, values, and purpose shape the way we work? This isn’t a podcast about quick career hacks or hustle culture. It’s about work that forms us, choices that matter, and finding meaning in the long, often winding path of vocation. Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, parent, or someone navigating change, Caller ID offers clarity, perspective, and encouragement for the work ahead.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Davis Wells
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Caller ID
  • Show Website
    Caller ID