Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

Brendan Walsh
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Personal Journals

Brendan Walsh is the host of the Enthusiastic Life podcast - where he interviews friends, colleagues, and all around interesting people to learn about their origin stories, what's made them successful, what lessons they've learned throughout life and most importantly what's bringing them joy

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 48 - Vina Taylor: Building The Zealous Root, Beating Cancer & Creating a Culture That’s Contagious

    In Episode 48 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with entrepreneur and founder of The Zealous Root, Vina Taylor. Vina shares the journey behind building The Zealous Root into much more than a salon — creating a workplace where women can thrive and a culture that clients can feel the moment they walk through the door. Founded in 2015, the Grosse Pointe Park salon was intentionally designed with contributions from Detroit artists and makers.  Vina and Brendan also have an incredibly personal conversation about her battle with breast cancer, entrepreneurship through adversity, her love of fine art, and why she's so excited about Detroit's growing creative community. In this episode:  Building The Zealous Root  Creating an incredible workplace culture for women  Vina's battle with breast cancer  Entrepreneurship through adversity  Building an experience clients want to return to  Leadership, positivity & authenticity  Vina's love of fine art  Detroit's creative renaissance The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media The Zealous Root Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 48 - Vina Taylor: Building The Zealous Root, Beating Cancer & Creating a Culture That’s Contagious

  2. Sep 9

    Ep 47 - Angela Gargano: From Biochemist to 6x American Ninja Warrior

    In Episode 47 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with 6x American Ninja Warrior competitor, former biochemist, entrepreneur and keynote speaker Angela Gargano.  Angela shares her unlikely journey from working long shifts in a science lab to fitness competitions and eventually American Ninja Warrior — including the devastating ACL injury on national television that threatened to end her career and the long road back to competing again. But the conversation goes well beyond Ninja Warrior. Angela and Brendan talk about resilience, separating your identity from an outcome, building the Pull-Up Revolution, her transition into keynote speaking, and why sometimes the journey toward the goal ends up becoming more important than the goal itself. Her Pull-Up Revolution has since grown into a program centered around helping women accomplish something many once thought impossible: their first pull-up.  In this episode:  From biochemistry to fitness  The road to American Ninja Warrior Tearing her ACL on national television  Rebuilding physically and mentally  Why failure doesn't define the journey  Creating the Pull-Up Revolution  Becoming a keynote speaker  Angela's upcoming book  Resilience, confidence & doing hard things Learn more about Angela Gargano The Pull-Up Revolution The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media

    Ep 47 - Angela Gargano: From Biochemist to 6x American Ninja Warrior

  3. Sep 2

    Ep 46 - Hank Winchester: From Action News to Building Detroit’s Next Big Podcast

    In Episode 46 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Emmy Award-winning Detroit TV reporter and longtime media personality Hank Winchester. Hank looks back on his career at WDIV Local 4, life inside the Detroit news business, and what ultimately led him to step away from television and into a completely different chapter of his career. He and Brendan also get into Hank's move into podcasting — from his successful run alongside Kelly Stafford on The Morning After to launching his own podcast studio and teaming up with longtime Detroit radio personality Spike for Spike & Hank, a new show that says it reached nearly 980,000 listeners in its first six days. And, in true Hank fashion, there are plenty of hilarious stories and tangents along the way. In this episode, we cover:  Hank's career in Detroit television  What life is really like as a local TV reporter  His experience podcasting with Kelly Stafford  The evolution of personality-driven media  Launching Spike & Hank What's next for Hank  Detroit, family, life and plenty of laughs Check out more of Hank - Spike & Hank The Enthusiastic Life Podcast is Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 46 - Hank Winchester: From Action News to Building Detroit’s Next Big Podcast

  4. Aug 26

    Ep 45 - John Rutherford: From Touring With Bob Seger to Saving an Iconic Detroit Institution

    In Episode 45 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Detroit musician, entrepreneur and Cadieux Cafe co-owner John Rutherford. John shares the incredible journey that began with an early obsession with the trombone and eventually took him around the world — performing, touring and recording with artists including Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Yo-Yo Ma, Noel Gallagher and countless others. John founded the Motor City Horns and Brass Jar Music, building a career that has touched nearly every corner of Detroit's music scene.  But John's story extends far beyond performing. He and Brendan talk about his passion for preserving Detroit institutions, becoming an owner of the legendary Cadieux Cafe, and his newest chapter helping shape the musical future of the renovated Bonstelle Theatre. Cadieux itself has been part of Detroit's east-side culture since 1933, known for live music, Belgian traditions and, of course, feather bowling.  In this episode, we cover:  John's early obsession with music and the trombone  Becoming an elite brass musician at a remarkably young age  Founding the Motor City Horns and Brass Jar Music  Touring and recording with Bob Seger  Performing with Yo-Yo Ma, Noel Gallagher and other legendary artists  Building a life and business around music  Taking ownership of the iconic Cadieux Cafe  Preserving Detroit's history while helping it evolve  John's new role booking talent at the Bonstelle Theatre To learn more about John and his ventures visit:  John Rutherford / Brass Jar Music Cadieux Cafe The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 45 - John Rutherford: From Touring With Bob Seger to Saving an Iconic Detroit Institution

  5. Aug 20

    Ep 44 - Scott Hanoian: Playing for Presidents & Performing on the World’s Greatest Stages

    In Episode 44 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with conductor, organist and lifelong musician Scott Hanoian. Scott shares the incredible journey music has taken him on — from his time at Washington National Cathedral, where he played for services including the funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, to performing and conducting in some of the world's most iconic churches and concert halls. Today, Scott serves as Music Director and Conductor of the University Musical Society Choral Union and Director of Music and Organist at Christ Church Grosse Pointe. He and Brendan talk about the responsibility of carrying on these musical traditions, developing young musicians and singers, and the incredible ability music has to bring people together and change lives. In this episode, we cover: Scott's journey into a career in musicHis time at Washington National CathedralPerforming at presidential funeralsTraveling the world through musicPerforming in iconic churches and venuesConducting and leading musicians at the highest levelBuilding the music program at Christ Church Grosse PointeMentorship, tradition and inspiring the next generationThe role music has played throughout Scott's lifeTo learn more about Scott or to find out how you can participate in his music organizations visit:  https://www.scotthanoian.com/ The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media Follow The Enthusiastic Life Podcast on Instagram: @enthusiasticlifepod Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 44 - Scott Hanoian: Playing for Presidents & Performing on the World’s Greatest Stages

  6. Aug 12

    Ep 43 - The Mailbag: Adulthood, the Internet, Conspiracies & the Lives We Thought We’d Have

    In Episode 43 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, there’s no guest — Brendan and producer Ryan sit down together to answer questions submitted by the audience. What starts as a mailbag episode quickly turns into a much deeper conversation about adulthood, expectations, technology, the things we value, and some of the questions that don’t necessarily have a right answer. Would your 25-year-old self be happy with where you are today? What are the unwritten rules of adulthood? Has the internet actually made the world better? And, of course, what’s one conspiracy theory you’re not quite ready to completely rule out? In this episode, we cover: Would our 25-year-old selves expect the lives we have today?The unwritten rules of adulthoodWhether the internet has made the world better or worseUnderrated products and experiences we couldn't live withoutThe conspiracy theories we’re not quite ready to rule outAnd plenty of unexpected tangents along the wayA different kind of episode this week — no guest, no agenda, just Brendan and Ryan answering your questions and seeing where the conversation takes them. The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media Follow The Enthusiastic Life Podcast on Instagram: @enthusiasticlifepod Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 43 - The Mailbag: Adulthood, the Internet, Conspiracies & the Lives We Thought We’d Have

  7. Aug 5

    Ep. 42 — Christy McDonald: 30 Years Covering Detroit, Reinvention & Life Beyond the News Desk

    Episode DescriptionIn Episode 42 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Emmy Award-winning journalist Christy McDonald, whose career has spanned more than three decades covering some of Detroit's biggest stories. Christy reflects on her journey through local television news, working her way from reporter to one of Detroit's most respected anchors. She shares unforgettable moments from the field, including her experience reporting from New York during the events of September 11th, and what it's like covering history as it unfolds. The conversation also explores Christy's transition away from daily television news, launching her own communications company, and the lessons she's learned about reinvention, resilience, leadership, and presence. They also talk about family, motherhood, and what brings Christy joy today. In this episode, we cover:  Christy's journey through 30 years of Detroit journalism  Working her way up in local television news  Reporting live from New York during 9/11  Some of the biggest stories she's covered  Life after television news  Launching SamMac Communications  Public speaking, leadership & communication  Family, motherhood and finding joy Learn more about Christy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christymcdonaldmi/ The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/enthusiasticlifepod Follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/enthusiasticlifepod Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & everywhere you get your podcasts.

    Ep. 42 — Christy McDonald: 30 Years Covering Detroit, Reinvention & Life Beyond the News Desk

  8. Jul 29

    Ep 41 - Reimer Priester: The Art of Building Community, One Space at a Time

    In Episode 41 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Reimer Priester, founder of Café Sous Terre, Café Un Deux Trois, and The Grand Porter. Reimer shares the winding journey that brought him to Detroit — from studying at Duke University and falling in love with the arts, to working in orchestral management throughout the Southeast and eventually at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They talk about Reimer’s transition into real estate and property management, his fascination with the idea of “third spaces” — places outside of home and work where people can gather and connect — and how that ultimately led him into the world of hospitality and restaurants. In this episode, we cover:  Reimer’s journey from Duke University to Detroit  His career in the arts and orchestral management  Working with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra  Serving in the Peace Corps in Guinea  His transition into real estate and property management  Why he became fascinated with “third spaces”  Building Café Sous Terre, Café Un Deux Trois & The Grand Porter  Lessons from entrepreneurship and changing careers Reimer's Spaces: https://www.cafesousterre.com/https://www.thegrandporter.com/https://www.undeuxtroisdetroit.com/The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan + Wave Media Follow The Enthusiastic Life Podcast on Instagram Follow The Enthusiastic Life Podcast on Facebook 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major podcast platforms.

    Ep 41 - Reimer Priester: The Art of Building Community, One Space at a Time
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About

Brendan Walsh is the host of the Enthusiastic Life podcast - where he interviews friends, colleagues, and all around interesting people to learn about their origin stories, what's made them successful, what lessons they've learned throughout life and most importantly what's bringing them joy

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