Visionaries

Whiteboard

On Visionaries, we dive deep with today’s boldest thinkers—leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs—who are crafting the next chapter of our world. How do they see what’s coming? How do they make the impossible, inevitable? And how can we learn to think like them?

Episodes

  1. Building Athletes for Life Beyond the Game: The Seven Pillars with Nick & Michael Ahmed

    07/07/2025

    Building Athletes for Life Beyond the Game: The Seven Pillars with Nick & Michael Ahmed

    In this powerful conversation, we sit down with brothers Nick and Michael Ahmed, the co-founders of Seven Pillar, a revolutionary approach to developing athletes that goes far beyond performance metrics. After witnessing firsthand the mental health crisis affecting one in three high-performing athletes, these former professional baseball players created a holistic framework designed to build champions in life, not just in sport. Key Discussion Points: [02:00] The Genesis of Seven Pillar How organic conversations between teammates evolved into a comprehensive athlete development systemThe decade-long journey from personal struggle to purposeful solutionWhy traditional athlete development falls short of preparing players for life[06:13] The Identity Crisis in Sports Understanding performance-based identity and its devastating effectsHow comparison culture and external validation create unstable foundationsThe transformation that happens when athletes discover their true worth beyond the scoreboard[11:37] Sport as Life Training Reframing athletics as a vehicle for character developmentWhy winning isn't everything, but competition still mattersBuilding skills that translate from the field to family and community[15:52] The Seven Pillars Framework Identity - Building unshakeable self-worth independent of performanceMindset - Developing mental resilience for competition and lifeLifestyle - Creating sustainable habits that support long-term successRelationships - Fostering authentic community and accountabilityNutrition - Fueling both body and mind for optimal performanceFitness - Physical preparation that serves athletic and life goalsRecovery - Understanding rest as a competitive and personal advantage[22:25] Faith and Community in Athletic Development Why relationships matter more than individual achievementThe role of faith in creating lasting identity and purposeBuilding teams and communities that elevate everyone[26:45] The NIL Generation Challenge How modern athletics has shifted toward individual focusThe recruiting crisis facing college sportsDeveloping intangibles and "it factor" in young athletesConnect with Seven Pillar: WebsiteInstagramTwitter/X

    33 min
  2. New Story: Being Different and Daring with Brett Hagler

    06/13/2025

    New Story: Being Different and Daring with Brett Hagler

    Join Whiteboard founder Eric Brown in conversation with Brett Hagler, CEO and co-founder of New Story, for an inspiring deep dive into visionary leadership, social entrepreneurship, and pioneering solutions to the global housing crisis. In this episode, Brett shares his remarkable journey from a 23-year-old college graduate on his first mission trip to Haiti, to building one of the world's most innovative housing nonprofits that's revolutionizing how we think about affordable housing through technology, land ownership, and market-based solutions. Meet Brett Brett Hagler is the CEO and co-founder of New Story, a nonprofit dedicated to pioneering solutions to the global housing crisis. Under his leadership, New Story has built thousands of homes across Haiti, El Salvador, Mexico, and Guatemala, and created the world's first 3D printed neighborhood. A Y Combinator alum and recognized thought leader in social innovation, Brett is passionate about creating market-based solutions that serve underserved families while building sustainable, scalable models for lasting impact. Key Highlights The Origin Story (00:00-05:11) How a life-changing trip to Haiti sparked the vision for New StoryThe intersection of faith, entrepreneurship, and social impactEarly lessons from a failed e-commerce startup that led to breakthrough insightsY Combinator & Early Growth (05:11-10:28) Becoming one of the first nonprofits accepted into Y Combinator (Summer 2015)The "100 houses in 100 days" campaign that outpaced the Red CrossBuilding transparency and trust in international charitable givingInnovation in Action (10:28-16:54) Creating the world's first 3D printed neighborhood in partnership with IconTaking calculated risks with R&D funding for breakthrough technologyLessons learned about the true complexity of the housing puzzleThe Evolution to Market-Based Solutions (16:54-22:09) Shifting from charitable beneficiaries to customersThe importance of land ownership and building credit profilesCreating sustainable, scalable solutions that attract other market playersAdvice for Emerging Entrepreneurs (22:09-26:53) "Dream big, but start small" - beginning with just one $6,000 houseWhy courage is in shorter supply than geniusThe power of being different and attracting the right resources Key Takeaways Start Small, Dream Big: Every massive vision begins with a single, achievable stepChallenge the Status Quo: Innovation happens when you question why things aren't workingCustomers vs. Beneficiaries: Market-based solutions create more sustainable impact than charity aloneCourage Over Genius: Taking calculated risks attracts opportunities that wouldn't otherwise existSystems Thinking: True impact requires understanding all pieces of complex problemsResources Mentioned New Story - Learn more about their housing innovation workIcon - 3D printing construction technology partnerY Combinator - Startup accelerator programCharity: Water - Clean water nonprofitMission of Hope Haiti - International development organizationConnect with Brett Hagler LinkedInTwitter

    30 min
  3. Brickyard: The Hard Way is the Right Way, with Cam Doody & Matt Patterson

    05/28/2025

    Brickyard: The Hard Way is the Right Way, with Cam Doody & Matt Patterson

    Today we're joined by Cam Doody and Matt Patterson, co-founders and general partners at Brickyard. Before launching a pre PMF venture firm in residency, they co-founded Bellhop, a tech driven relocation company that moved over 350,000 households and raised 90. 80 million in venture capital through Brickyard. They provide early stage founders, not just with capital, but operational support, accountability, and a community of builders. They discuss their entrepreneurial journey from founding Bellhop, a tech-driven relocation company, to establishing a new kind of venture firm focused on early-stage founders. Brickyard offers a unique approach by providing not just capital, but operational support, accountability, and a community. They reflect on their experiences, the challenges of the venture capital landscape, and the innovative model that demands radical focus and dedication from startup founders. Success stories and key insights from their efforts to create a founder-driven startup ecosystem in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are also highlighted. Key Moments and Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Visionaries Shaping the Future00:55 Meet Cam Doody and Matt Patterson of Brickyard01:53 The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Bellhops to Brickyard05:24 The Brickyard Vision and Mission06:27 Challenges and Critiques of Venture Capital08:36 Brickyard's Approach14:27 Success Stories and Notable Founders18:54 Personal Reflections & Principles22:03 Lessons Learned & Future PlansWhiteboard is the leading creative and technology partner to visionary leaders and brands, helping them navigate the future with wisdom and imagination. Visionaries is a Whiteboard and Toldwell production.

    25 min

About

On Visionaries, we dive deep with today’s boldest thinkers—leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs—who are crafting the next chapter of our world. How do they see what’s coming? How do they make the impossible, inevitable? And how can we learn to think like them?