The People I Know

Larry Howard

5.0 (2)
Documentary

This podcast is for the curious: for those who want to understand how others experience life, to explore familiar backgrounds that lead to very different paths, and to feel a little less alone in their own journey. Listen to relate. Listen to discover how human we all are.

3d ago

Episode 14 Bob Smith - You don't have to come from a big city to make a big impact.

From Cadiz to the Boardroom: The Bob Smith Story How does growing up in a small Ohio town prepare someone for a lifetime of leadership? In this episode of The People I Know, Larry Howard sits down with fellow Cadiz native Bob Smith to trace a remarkable journey from his childhood in Harrison County to a distinguished career in investment management, business leadership and service to the state of Ohio. Bob shares memories of growing up in Cadiz, the influence of family, teachers and mentors, his education at Ohio Northern University and Duquesne University, and the decisions and relationships that helped shape his professional life. We explore his rise through the investment management world, his years of leadership at Spero-Smith, his partnership with Karen Spero, the transition to Cerity Partners, and what decades of experience taught him about leadership, integrity and making difficult decisions. Bob also reflects on his extensive board service, his experience chairing JobsOhio, his commitment to giving back to Ohio, and why his small-town roots remain an important part of who he is today. And perhaps most importantly, Bob shares what he would tell young people growing up in towns like Cadiz who may wonder whether they can compete on a much bigger stage. It's a conversation about ambition without forgetting where you came from, success without losing sight of integrity, and the people and relationships that help shape a life. The People I Know — because everybody has a story, and sometimes the people we know have extraordinary ones.
3d ago

Episode 1 - Larry Howard A life well lived, so far...

Welcome to the very first episode of The People I Know. Before I start sharing the stories of the fascinating people I’ve met throughout my life and career, I thought it was only fair to begin with my own. I’m Larry Howard, and over the years my journey has taken me from growing up in a small town in Ohio to a career spanning professional audio, theme parks, projection mapping, sports, entertainment technology, business development, and entrepreneurship. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible companies, tackle some unforgettable projects, travel the world and come back home, and—most importantly—meet an extraordinary collection of people. And that’s really where the idea for The People I Know began. I’ve always believed that our lives are shaped by the people we meet. Sometimes it’s a lifelong friend. Sometimes it’s a coworker, coach, teacher, customer, mentor, or someone you meet completely by chance. You may know them for decades or only for a short time, but that relationship can change the direction of your life. In this first episode, I share some of my own story—growing up, the experiences, relationships, successes, challenges, and unexpected turns that brought me to where I am today. But this podcast really isn’t about me. It’s about the people I know—and the stories they have to tell. In the episodes ahead, I’ll sit down with people from my hometown, my career, sports, entertainment, business, education, technology, and many other chapters of my life. Some have accomplished extraordinary things. Others have extraordinary stories that simply haven’t been told yet. That’s exactly why I created this podcast. Everybody has a story. Sometimes, you just need to ask the right questions. Welcome to The People I Know. 🎙️ The People I Know with Larry Howard Subscribe or follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the people—and the stories—coming next.
Oct 14

Episode 13 Coach John Stephenson: Building Champions, Building Men

Eight sectional titles. Seven district titles. An historic OVAC championship. A state championship. 70 state qualifiers and 29 state placers. But those numbers only tell part of the story. This week on The People I Know, I sit down with legendary Cadiz wrestling coach John Stephenson to talk about building a championship program, the unforgettable 1981 and 1987 teams, the young men he coached, and a legacy that continues generations later. This isn't just a story about wrestling. It's about discipline, relationships, a small Ohio community — and what it really means to be a coach.
Sep 30

“Before George Rogers won the Heisman Trophy, one of the guys clearing the way for him was a kid from Hopedale, Ohio.”

Today on The People I Know, we’re going back home to the Ohio Valley for the story of Jeff Kendziorski.Jeff grew up in Hopedale, became one of the most accomplished athletes to come out of Cadiz High School, and earned a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina.But football is only part of his story.Jeff earned his degree in electrical engineering while playing Division I football, went on to spend more than four decades working at the leading edge of semiconductor technology, and eventually returned home to Ohio.From Friday nights in Cadiz…to playing in front of 80,000 people at South Carolina…to a career in technology that most people back home probably know very little about—this is the story of Jeff Kendziorski.
Sep 16

Episode 11 Gary Barker - A true "Life of Service" in his hometown.

Today on The People I Know, we’re going back to Cadiz, Ohio, for a conversation about family, hard work, friendship, and the people who shape us along the way.My guest is Dr. Gary Barker, who grew up as one of five boys in the Barker family, in a small town where everybody seemed to know everybody — and where Gary learned early about responsibility, community, and the importance of relationships.From childhood adventures around his father’s Cadiz Feed Mill, to high school, Ohio State, dentistry, family, and a career spent serving others, Gary’s story is really about the experiences and people that helped guide him through life.And that's exactly what this podcast is about.Because sometimes the most interesting stories aren't about famous well known people.They're about the people we grew up with, the people who influenced us, and the people whose stories deserve to be remembered.Today, we're going to hear one of those stories.This is Dr. Gary Barker — on The People I Know.
Sep 1

Episode 10 Molly Piveral - Sometimes who you know changes who you become.

The People I Know is built around a simple idea: people change our lives. This guest, Molly Piveral, has spent her entire career proving exactly that. Molly has spent more than four decades connecting people, leading teams, building partnerships, and helping organizations become stronger from the inside out. Her journey began at Walt Disney World, where she spent nearly 20 years in entertainment and community relations before moving into leadership roles with organizations including the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Children’s Miracle Network, The Nassal Company, ITEC Entertainment, BRPH, FiveStone Studios, and most recently Image Engineering.Today, Molly is an independent consultant specializing in leadership development, organizational culture, strategic partnerships, and change management. Whether she’s helping companies improve communication, develop leaders, or build lasting relationships, her focus has always been on bringing people together and creating environments where they can thrive.Beyond the titles and accomplishments, Molly believes that one conversation, one relationship, or one unexpected connection can completely change the direction of a person’s life. That philosophy has shaped both her career and the way she approaches every opportunity.I’m looking forward to exploring the experiences that have defined her journey, the lessons she’s learned from working alongside some incredible organizations, and what she’s discovered about leadership, connection, and creating meaningful impact.
Aug 18

Episode 9 with Wei-Shen Chin - Orlando FL

A doctor. A classical musician. A professional photographer. An inventor. A philanthropist. And the founder of one of the largest high-performance driving organizations in the world. Most people would be happy accomplishing one of those things. Dr. Wei-Shen Chin somehow found time to do them all.
Jul 27

Episode 8 Robin Sibucao - "Music was his first passion. Innovation became his legacy."

"My guest today has spent his life chasing great sound. It started with a guitar in his hands as a young boy in Tampa, grew into playing in bands before most kids could drive, and eventually led him into leadership roles with some of the biggest names in professional audio, including Bose, PlayNetwork, and beyond. Along the way he's remained what he was from the very beginning—a musician at heart. Today we're talking about music, technology, relationships, and how following your passion can open doors you never imagined. I'm pleased to welcome my friend, Robin Sibucao, to The People I Know."

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

This podcast is for the curious: for those who want to understand how others experience life, to explore familiar backgrounds that lead to very different paths, and to feel a little less alone in their own journey. Listen to relate. Listen to discover how human we all are.

Creator

Larry Howard
Years Active

2026
Episodes

14
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Larry Howard
Show Website

The People I Know