Forged By Design

Daniel Badillo
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Careers

Forged by Design Podcast is more than a conversation—it is a platform where purpose meets leadership, business, and faith. Created for entrepreneurs with bold dreams, unwavering faith, and a calling to make a meaningful impact, each episode delivers practical insights and timeless principles that inspire personal growth, professional excellence, and purposeful leadership. Whether you're launching a business, expanding an organization, developing your career, or answering a greater calling, this podcast is designed to help you align your vision with your values and move forward with clarity, confidence, and conviction. Beyond inspiration, Forged by Design Podcast serves as a bridge between businesses and the audiences they are called to serve. It provides entrepreneurs and organizations with a meaningful platform to showcase their products, services, innovations, and stories while creating authentic connections with current and future customers. We believe that every great business has a story worth telling, and every valuable solution deserves to reach the people it was created to serve. The podcast also offers senior executives, CEOs, founders, and industry leaders a respected voice to share the wisdom gained through years of leadership, success, and adversity. By sharing lessons in ethical leadership, financial stewardship, operational excellence, innovation, and servant leadership, these leaders can equip and inspire the next generation to make wiser business, financial, and ethical decisions that create lasting value for their organizations, communities, and families. At its core, Forged by Design Podcast exists to encourage leaders to build with integrity, lead with purpose, and leave a legacy that extends far beyond business success.

  1. 2d ago

    John Hock - Building Opportunity, Leadership and Legacy

    What happens when you look at an old or underutilized building and see not what it is—but what it could become? In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with John Hock, President of Hock Development Company, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset behind decades of industrial real estate development in the Augusta and CSRA region. John shares the story behind his journey into business and real estate, what it takes to recognize opportunity where others may see obstacles, and how calculated risk, resilience, and long-term thinking have shaped his leadership. Hock Development has spent more than four decades developing, owning, managing, renovating, and providing industrial space for businesses throughout the region. The company’s work includes manufacturing and distribution facilities, redevelopment opportunities, and build-to-suit projects designed around the operational needs of its customers. But this conversation goes far beyond buildings. John discusses the importance of understanding your customer, developing people, leading through uncertainty, recognizing opportunity, and defining success beyond financial achievement. We also explore the growth of the Augusta/CSRA business community and the opportunities available to entrepreneurs and future leaders who are willing to think differently and build with purpose. Message Us! Support the show

  2. 5d ago

    McKenzie Beech - Habitat for Humanity

    What if a house is not just a place to live—but a foundation for a better future? In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with McKenzie Beech, Vice President of Mission and Community Impact at Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity, (www.augustahabitat.org) for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, community, and the transformational power of affordable housing. Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been serving the community since 1986, with a vision to build “strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.” But as McKenzie helps us understand, Habitat is building far more than houses. It is helping families build stability, pursue homeownership, develop financial knowledge, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for a better future. In our conversation, McKenzie shares what it means to lead with purpose, the lessons he has learned from families pursuing homeownership, and why meaningful community transformation requires something bigger than any one organization. It requires partnership. Volunteers, churches, businesses, donors, homeowners, community leaders, and neighbors all have a role to play. Through that collective effort, Habitat is helping transform the idea of a house into something much greater—a foundation for hope, dignity, stability, opportunity, and generational impact. And Habitat's work extends beyond construction. Through its Community Engagement Center, the organization provides residents with access to resources and educational opportunities, including financial literacy, digital literacy, healthcare information, and other community services. Its ReStore also helps support the mission while providing affordable home-improvement and household materials to the community. Perhaps one of the most powerful messages from our conversation is that doing good and doing business well are not opposing ideas. Leaders can learn from the nonprofit world about purpose, service, collaboration, and resourcefulness—and nonprofits can learn from business leaders about strategy, accountability, innovation, and execution. Message Us! Support the show

  3. Sep 1

    Chuck McKee, founder of TrustVault®

    In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo sits down with Chuck McKee, founder of TrustVault®, for a meaningful conversation about trust, integrity, leadership, accountability, and the importance of proving who you are—not simply telling people who you are. Chuck brings a unique perspective shaped by more than 30 years of experience in finance, investigation, and leadership. For 20 years, he served as a Special Agent with the FBI, based out of the Atlanta Field Office in Augusta, Georgia. During his career, he led investigations involving public corruption, civil rights violations, identity theft, financial crimes, mortgage fraud, white-collar fraud, human trafficking, bank robberies, and counterintelligence. He also served on the Financial Crimes Response Team and led the Evidence Response Team. Before the FBI, Chuck spent a decade in corporate accounting, including working as a fractional CFO for small and mid-sized businesses and holding financial positions in public and private companies. His experience in financial systems and investigations helped shape his understanding of how critical credibility and trust are—especially when the stakes are high. From Investigation to TrustVault® In 2025, Chuck founded TrustVault® with a simple but powerful mission: to help people demonstrate that they are trustworthy through professional verification. TrustVault® goes beyond a traditional background check. Individuals begin with an online application and provide information and documentation supporting their personal and professional history, including references, education, employment, and other relevant background information. Once submitted, the information undergoes a comprehensive investigation conducted by licensed private investigators and often retired FBI agents. Using professional investigative tools and methods, the process is designed to create a more complete and accurate picture of an individual's background and credibility. Following the investigation, a formal adjudication process determines whether the applicant meets the criteria for certification. Those who qualify receive a TrustVault® Private Sector Clearance, which remains under the individual's control regarding how and when it is used. TrustVault® also offers different levels of credentialing based on the depth of investigation and the level of trust required. As professionals advance in their careers and assume greater responsibility, they can pursue higher levels of credentialing. Trust That Can Be Verified One of the central ideas discussed during the interview is that trust should be more than a claim—it should be something that can be demonstrated. Through TrustVault® Access, members can securely share selected portions of their verified investigative information with authorized third parties. This may include verified references, education, employment history, or other professional validations. The member determines what information is shared and with whom, while access is temporary and read-only. For professionals, this creates another way to differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace. A résumé communicates what a person says about their experience. A TrustVault® credential is intended to provide evidence that certain aspects of their background have been independently investigated and verified. Building a Culture of Trust TrustVault® is also designed for businesses. Through TrustVault® Certified Businesses, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to high ethical standards and trustworthy hiring practices. Certified businesses can publicly highlight their designation while providing opportunities and benefits to TrustVault® members. The vision is to create a broader network where trust becomes an asset rather than an assumption—benefiting individuals, employers, clients, and professional relationships. Chuck's story also connects directly to the leadership principles explored on Forged by Design. His career demonstrates that leadership is not simply about position or authority. It is about integrity, accountability, credibility, responsibility, and the ability to make the right decisions when circumstances are difficult. The Bigger Message At the heart of this conversation is a message that extends beyond TrustVault®: trust is earned through what we do, not simply what we say. Chuck McKee's journey—from corporate accounting to FBI Special Agent, investigator, leader, and entrepreneur—illustrates how decades of experience can ultimately lead to a greater purpose. TrustVault® represents his effort to bring the lessons learned in high-stakes investigative environments into the private sector and establish a higher standard for personal and professional credibility. Message Us! Support the show

  4. Aug 29

    The Brunch House of Augusta - "Family feeding Families"

    The Forged by Design Podcast had the extraordinary opportunity to sit down with Asian Brown, CEO and Owner of The Brunch House of Augusta, alongside his wife, Ashley Brown, for a conversation that went far beyond the story of a restaurant. It was a story about vision, faith, sacrifice, discipline, resilience, and the courage to build something meaningful when the circumstances seem anything but favorable. The Brunch House of Augusta began as a vision to create something different—a place where great Southern food, genuine hospitality, family, and community could come together around the same table. Today, that vision has become a thriving business serving Augusta and preparing to expand into Evans, Georgia. What makes their story particularly remarkable is when they chose to build it. The Browns stepped into entrepreneurship during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when many businesses were fighting simply to survive, they were willing to learn, adapt, sacrifice, and work relentlessly to turn an idea into a sustainable business. During our conversation, Asian and Ashley shared the realities behind entrepreneurship—the long hours, the sacrifices, the lessons learned, and the importance of understanding every aspect of running a restaurant. Their story demonstrates that success is rarely created overnight. It is forged through discipline, persistence, humility, and a willingness to keep learning. Behind that journey was also a strong foundation of family and faith. Asian's parents, Leroy Daniel Brown and Kimberley Brown, supported the family throughout the different seasons of the journey. Their belief that God would provide wisdom, direction, and strength became an important part of the foundation upon which the business continued to grow. Their website describes The Brunch House as a proud Black-owned, family-operated restaurant built on faith, hard work, and Southern hospitality—a place where guests are welcomed, valued, and made to feel at home. Their mission, “Family Feeding Families,” captures the heart of what they have built. And their vision continues to grow. With a new Evans location coming soon, The Brunch House is preparing to bring that same commitment to food, hospitality, and community to even more families. Message Us! Support the show

  5. Aug 4

    Yavia Muñiz, "El Barberito" - Beyond the Barber & Stylist Chair.

    Yavia Muñiz is a CEO, master barber, and successful business owner whose journey is a testament to the power of discipline, humility, and perseverance. His passion for barbering began at just 14 years old, when he started cutting hair and apprenticed for two years, developing both his technical skills and an understanding of customer service, marketing, and business operations. Over the next decade, José Yavia Muñiz refined his craft while working in various barbershops, learning through experience, mentorship, and continuous education. By attending professional seminars and embracing guidance from industry experts, he elevated his skills as a stylist and built a reputation for excellence. His dedication eventually led him to open his own private studio, where he has earned the trust of a diverse clientele, including artists and musicians from both his home state and beyond. Today, Yavia is the founder of "El Barberito", a brand he has successfully grown through strategic marketing, social media, and an unwavering commitment to professionalism. He combines modern technology—including appointment scheduling software, digital payment platforms, and sound financial management—with exceptional customer service to create an experience that motivates and inspires every client who sits in his chair. Beyond building a successful business, Yavia is passionate about investing in the next generation of barbers and stylists. He is developing an industry expo that will bring together barber professionals, cosmetologists, accountants, and other experts to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge. His message is simple yet powerful: **"Invest to progress."** Through his work, Yavia continues to build a lasting legacy of craftsmanship, leadership, and mentorship while pursuing his vision of expanding "El Barberito" and training future leaders to carry that legacy forward. Message Us! Support the show

  6. Jul 21

    Billy Bennett, CEO of Pyramid ODI - Developing People and Organizational Culture

    In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo sits down with Billy Bennett, CEO and co-founder of Pyramid ODI (www.pyramidodi.com), to explore what it truly  takes to build organizations where both people and performance thrive. Drawing from more than three decades of experience in organizational development, Billy shares why sustainable success is never achieved through processes alone—it is created by developing the people who execute them. The conversation centers on releasing human potential and transforming organizations into workplaces where employees are empowered, challenged, and equipped to perform at their highest level. Billy explains that exceptional organizations intentionally cultivate trust, communication, accountability, and leadership, creating environments where teams consistently outperform expectations rather than simply meeting them. A key focus of the discussion is the Birkman Method, a powerful behavioral assessment that helps leaders better understand personality, communication styles, motivations, stress behaviors, and workplace needs. Billy explains how organizations can use these insights to improve collaboration, strengthen leadership effectiveness, resolve conflict, and place individuals in roles where they are most likely to succeed. Daniel and Billy also discuss the importance of team building, coaching, and organizational mentoring. Rather than viewing coaching as correcting poor performance, Billy describes it as a process of unlocking hidden strengths and helping individuals grow into leaders capable of influencing others. Effective mentoring creates a culture of continuous learning, while coaching enables employees to become confident decision-makers who contribute greater value to their organizations. Throughout the episode, Billy reinforces that organizational excellence begins with a commitment to customer value, integrity, relationships, and collaborative leadership. He shares how Pyramid ODI has helped organizations around the world navigate change, rebuild struggling operations, and develop high-performing teams by focusing on behavioral transformation instead of temporary fixes. Listeners will leave with practical insights into how leaders can create workplaces where people are engaged, teams communicate effectively, and organizations continuously improve. Whether you are a business owner, executive, operations leader, or aspiring manager, this episode provides valuable lessons on developing stronger teams, empowering individuals, and building organizations that achieve lasting success. Key Takeaways Why organizational success begins with developing people, not just improving processes.How the Birkman Method strengthens leadership, communication, and team effectiveness.The role of coaching and mentoring in unlocking individual and organizational potential.Strategies for building high-performing teams rooted in trust, accountability, and collaboration.Why empowering employees creates sustainable business results and exceptional customer value.How great leaders cultivate cultures where continuous improvement becomes part of everyday work. Message Us! Support the show

  7. Jul 14

    Lee Peck - When Seconds Matter: The power of preparedness and partnership before the crisis strikes.

    In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo welcomes Lee Peck, District Training Officer for the Columbia County School District Police, to discuss one of every community's greatest responsibilities: protecting its schools. Drawing on 17 years of law enforcement experience, including service as a School Resource Officer, Lee shares practical insights on emergency preparedness, leadership, and building safer learning environments where students and educators can thrive. Lee reflects on the experiences that inspired his commitment to school safety and explains how his Master's degree in Public Administration shaped his approach to strategic planning, effective policy, and proactive leadership. Rather than focusing solely on responding to emergencies, he emphasizes prevention, preparedness, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The conversation examines the evolving landscape of school safety. While school shootings have occurred worldwide, the United States continues to experience them at a much higher frequency. Lee discusses how modern law enforcement training has expanded beyond active shooter response to include comprehensive planning for medical emergencies, severe weather, fires, hazardous materials, mental health crises, reunification procedures, communication challenges, and many other critical incidents. A central theme throughout the episode is that effective school safety depends on strong partnerships. Lee explains how educators, law enforcement, parents, students, counselors, and community leaders all play essential roles in creating safe schools. Built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility, these partnerships help identify concerns early, reduce risk, and strengthen coordinated responses during emergencies. Drawing from his experience as a School Resource Officer, Lee highlights the importance of early intervention and relationship-building. Working closely with counselors and student support teams taught him that many situations can be addressed before they become law enforcement matters, creating a safer and more supportive environment for students. The discussion also explores the human side of emergency preparedness. Through realistic training and regular drills, school personnel and officers develop the confidence, communication skills, and decision-making abilities needed to remain calm under pressure. Lee explains that successful emergency response depends as much on leadership and judgment as it does on procedures. The interview concludes with practical advice for parents, educators, administrators, and community leaders, encouraging every community to invest in preparedness before a crisis occurs. Lee also discusses firearms training for new officers, emphasizing that professional policing requires not only marksmanship but also restraint, accountability, ethical decision-making, and a lifelong commitment to continuous training. Ultimately, this episode delivers a powerful message: the safest schools are built long before emergencies occur. Through intentional leadership, comprehensive planning, ongoing training, and strong community partnerships, schools can create environments where students and educators feel secure, supported, and prepared. Lee Peck reminds us that true school safety is built not on fear, but on preparation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the next generation. Message Us! Support the show

  8. Jun 26

    Stacey Sharp - Beyond the Command Line, building effective information systems.

    In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with Stacey Sharp, Infrastructure Engineer and Director of Information Systems, whose passion for technology began at just six years old programming on a TRS-80 computer. With more than three decades of experience in IT, Stacey shares how the industry has evolved—from early personal computers and Linux to cloud computing and modern manufacturing environments where 24/7 uptime is mission-critical. Throughout the conversation, Stacey discusses the realities of disaster recovery, the importance of disciplined troubleshooting, when organizations should build custom solutions versus buying commercial software, and the lessons learned from leading large-scale cloud migrations. He also explains why documentation is one of the most overlooked yet valuable practices in IT and offers practical advice for the next generation of technology professionals. Whether you're an IT leader, engineer, or simply fascinated by the evolution of technology, this episode is packed with real-world insights from someone who has spent a lifetime building, solving, and innovating. Message Us! Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Forged by Design Podcast is more than a conversation—it is a platform where purpose meets leadership, business, and faith. Created for entrepreneurs with bold dreams, unwavering faith, and a calling to make a meaningful impact, each episode delivers practical insights and timeless principles that inspire personal growth, professional excellence, and purposeful leadership. Whether you're launching a business, expanding an organization, developing your career, or answering a greater calling, this podcast is designed to help you align your vision with your values and move forward with clarity, confidence, and conviction. Beyond inspiration, Forged by Design Podcast serves as a bridge between businesses and the audiences they are called to serve. It provides entrepreneurs and organizations with a meaningful platform to showcase their products, services, innovations, and stories while creating authentic connections with current and future customers. We believe that every great business has a story worth telling, and every valuable solution deserves to reach the people it was created to serve. The podcast also offers senior executives, CEOs, founders, and industry leaders a respected voice to share the wisdom gained through years of leadership, success, and adversity. By sharing lessons in ethical leadership, financial stewardship, operational excellence, innovation, and servant leadership, these leaders can equip and inspire the next generation to make wiser business, financial, and ethical decisions that create lasting value for their organizations, communities, and families. At its core, Forged by Design Podcast exists to encourage leaders to build with integrity, lead with purpose, and leave a legacy that extends far beyond business success.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Badillo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Forged By Design
  • Show Website
    Forged By Design