Chess Not Checkers

Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Chess Not Checkers, the podcast that teaches you how to play the long game in both business and life. Hosted by Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien, we dive deep into strategic thinking, exploring how the best minds think several steps ahead. Each episode features guests from a variety of fields — real estate, business, health, wealth, and more — who share their stories and the unique mindset that’s propelled their success. Whether you’re building, growing, or establishing your business, this show offers valuable insights to help you think smarter and act with purpose.

  1. 1d ago

    Corey Jeppesen – How a Mad Men Dream Built Bahlr Media

    Before Corey Jeppesen founded Bahlr Media, he received a piece of advice from Spokane advertising legend Ed Clark that would shape the way he viewed advertising, creativity, and brand building for years to come. In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Corey to discuss his journey from graphic designer to agency owner, the principles that have guided his career, and why great advertising has always been rooted in understanding people and telling stories that matter. The conversation explores the evolution of marketing, the difference between branding and advertising, building a creative business, and what it takes to create work that stands the test of time. Corey also shares the lessons he’s learned from growing Bahlr Media, the importance of surrounding yourself with great mentors, and why strategy will always outlast trends. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights on building a brand with purpose, earning people’s attention, and creating meaningful connections through storytelling. Follow Corey on Instagram: @seejepp Learn More About Bahlr Media: https://bahlr.com/

    1h 14m

  2. Jun 23

    Listener Q&A: Real Estate Investing, Scaling Businesses, and Spokane’s Future

    In this special listener Q&A episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien tackle questions from listeners on real estate investing, business growth, Spokane’s future, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The conversation covers what they look for when evaluating a real estate deal, the biggest mistakes investors make, how to think about long-term wealth building, and why waiting for the “perfect” opportunity can keep people stuck on the sidelines. Keith and Jordan also share stories from their own projects, including lessons learned from the Peyton Building, the 808 Building, and other investments that shaped their approach to real estate. Whether you’re a business owner, investor, entrepreneur, or someone thinking about your first real estate deal, this episode is packed with practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and the strategic thinking that defines Chess Not Checkers.

    1h 1m

  3. Jun 16

    Lacey Renner – The Mission of Vanessa Behan and Why Early Childhood Matters

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Lacey Renner, Director of Development at Vanessa Behan, to discuss the organization’s mission of preventing child abuse and supporting families in crisis. Lacey shares her personal journey from banking to nonprofit leadership, the story behind Vanessa Behan, and how a tragedy in Spokane led to the creation of a resource that has helped thousands of families over the last four decades. The conversation explores the realities of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), resilience, and why the first few years of a child’s life have such a profound impact on long-term outcomes. Keith, Jordan, and Lacey also discuss parenting, community support, generational cycles, and the importance of creating environments where children can thrive. It’s a powerful conversation about hope, prevention, and the role each of us can play in building stronger families and a healthier community. Whether you’re a parent, business leader, educator, or simply someone who cares about the future of Spokane, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges families face and the incredible work being done every day at Vanessa Behan. Contact Lacey: lacey.renner@vanessabehan.org or 509.598.7490 Contact Lacey – Reach out directly to learn more about Vanessa Behan and community involvement. lacey.renner@vanessabehan.org | 509.598.7490 History of Vanessa Behan – Learn the story behind the organization and its impact on Spokane families. https://youtu.be/6Ky3SuWoUGE?si=aIqH24n__boIw0-H Learn More – Explore programs, services, and the latest news from Vanessa Behan. https://www.vanessabehan.org/news/ Give – Support Vanessa Behan’s mission through a financial contribution. https://vanessabehan.givecloud.co/give Volunteer – Find opportunities to get involved and support local families. https://www.vanessabehan.org/volunteer/ Rosauers Open Golf Tournament – Learn about Vanessa Behan’s premier fundraising golf event. https://www.rosauersopen.org/ The Pumpkin Ball – Information on Vanessa Behan’s signature annual fundraising gala. https://www.vanessabehan.org/the-pumpkin-ball/

    1h 17m

  4. Jun 9

    Are We Making It Harder to Build Wealth? with Jordan and Keith 

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien tackle some of the biggest economic and policy issues facing business owners today. From housing affordability and homelessness to rising taxes, government spending, real estate investing, and the future of small business, Keith and Jordan break down the challenges they see impacting entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday Americans. They discuss the changing economics of rental housing, the risks facing landlords and developers, and why many investors are rethinking long-held assumptions about real estate. Whether you're a business owner, investor, real estate professional, or simply someone trying to make sense of today's economic landscape, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion on the decisions, trends, and policies shaping the future.

    1h 38m

  5. May 26

    From Real Estate to Performance Coaching: The Story Behind MS4 with Keith Riddle

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, with Jordan Tampien out, producer Brennon Poynor jumps behind the mic to interview Keith Riddle about his other company, MS4 — a performance coaching framework built around mindset, skill set, systems, and standards.   Keith breaks down how years in real estate, business ownership, philosophy, and coaching all came together to create MS4, and why he believes success leaves clues across every industry. The conversation dives into leadership, hiring, systems, entrepreneurship, athlete coaching, personal development, and the biggest thing holding most people back: mindset.   Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, athlete, business owner, or someone trying to level up personally or professionally, this episode offers a deep look into how Keith approaches growth and performance through the MS4 framework. To learn more about MS4, visit; www.keith-riddle.com/MS4coaching

    1h 17m

  6. May 19

    The Middle of the Marathon: Jordan and Keith on Business, Failure & Learning to Take the Hit

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien dive into one of the biggest questions in today’s world: how do you know what’s actually true anymore? What starts as a conversation about conspiracy theories, Spokane history, and the Great Fire quickly becomes a deeper discussion about resilience, entrepreneurship, parenting, public perception, and the emotional reality of building businesses and real estate portfolios.   Keith and Jordan open up about the parts of business and life people rarely talk about — trashed rentals, failed deals, public criticism, hiring mistakes, financial pressure, and the hard lessons that only come through experience. This episode is less about having all the answers and more about navigating uncertainty, staying honest with yourself, and learning how to keep moving forward when life gets messy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by business, leadership, parenting, or just trying to figure life out in a noisy world, this conversation will probably hit home.

    1h 19m

  7. May 12

    Erin Peterson – Building Trending Northwest, Telling Local Stories, and Finding Joy in Community

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Erin Peterson, founder of Trending Northwest, to talk about content creation, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and building a media brand centered around the best parts of the Northwest. Erin shares her journey from teaching fifth grade to launching one of the region’s most recognizable lifestyle and community platforms. The conversation dives into the early days of social media, how Trending Northwest grew from restaurant reviews into a full multimedia company, and why authenticity matters more than ever online. This episode covers everything from entrepreneurship and digital media to parenting, content creation, local business growth, and the future of storytelling in the Northwest. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a brand online—or how to turn passion into purpose—this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and a lot of heart.

    1h 21m

  8. May 5

    REWIND #1 Leigh Veidman, Head Coach of the Spokane Velocity

    Originally Released March 11th, 2025 In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Jordan Tampien and Keith Riddle sit down with Leigh Veidman, head coach of Spokane Velocity, to discuss his journey from Liverpool to Spokane and how he built a successful soccer team. Leigh shares how his resilience, self-reflection, and experiences overcoming adversity shaped his leadership style. They explore his coaching philosophy, which focuses on recruiting players based on character as well as skill, and how he’s building a strong, community-driven team. They also discuss Leigh’s vision for Spokane Velocity, from establishing an on-field identity to aiming for championship contention in the years to come.

    1h 4m
See All (72)

Trailer

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to Chess Not Checkers, the podcast that teaches you how to play the long game in both business and life. Hosted by Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien, we dive deep into strategic thinking, exploring how the best minds think several steps ahead. Each episode features guests from a variety of fields — real estate, business, health, wealth, and more — who share their stories and the unique mindset that’s propelled their success. Whether you’re building, growing, or establishing your business, this show offers valuable insights to help you think smarter and act with purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • Show Website
    Chess Not Checkers

You Might Also Like