TUNED Talks

Kevin Cramton

In TUNED Talks, former global CEO Kevin Cramton and his mentor, legendary sports leader Dick Schultz, explore what it truly takes to succeed and live life in TUNE. Each episode uncovers the four essential keys to a resilient life, providing listeners with hard-won wisdom.

Episodes

  1. Jun 22

    Horst Schulze On Leadership, Faith And Purpose

    In this episode, the hosts talk with Horst Schulze about the difference between managing clutter and leading with high intent. Schulze traces lessons from his teenage hotel apprenticeship, his move to America, and the leadership choices that shaped Ritz-Carlton and Capella. He argues that excellence starts with purpose, honest self-assessment, clear standards, and an environment where employees want to serve the vision. The conversation also covers marriage, faith, ethical decisions, immigrant drive, and his advice for young people preparing for a changing world. CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Leadership And High Intent00:00:46 Meet Horst Schulze00:02:24 Capella And Excellence Wins00:03:12 Purpose Beats Clutter00:05:40 The Boston Occupancy Excuse00:07:21 Leaders Start With Destination00:09:49 Leaving Home For Hotels00:11:24 Come Create Excellence00:13:06 Defining Yourself First00:14:39 High Intent Through Crisis00:17:57 Purpose Drives Function00:18:46 Moving To America00:22:00 Immigrants And Excellence00:23:47 Admit The Mistakes00:27:42 Leaving Unethical Leadership00:29:20 Refusing The Promotion00:31:48 Starting Ritz-Carlton00:34:13 Excellence Without Compromise00:36:37 Management Versus Leadership00:43:57 Building Capella Hotels00:46:21 Advice For Young Leaders00:49:50 Don't Be A Chair00:51:26 Decisions Determine Destiny

    53 min

  2. Apr 20

    How Lin Rogers Turned $35,000 into a Billion Dollar Empire

    Lin Rogers built a billion-dollar electrical empire from $35,000, eight men, and two trucks. He breaks down scaling, surviving Black Tuesday, and why the trades are AI-proof for decades. He gets real about faith, family, putting 100 kids through college, and the covenant he made with God when he started.01:26 He Started at 1903:37 Amazon Called Him First04:49 COVID Almost Killed It06:24 900 Trucks by 202707:14 One Building: $350 Million08:30 “What Don’t We Own?”09:30 His Dad Was Broke10:22 “What Chases This Man?”10:58 A 25-Year Bet11:21 Home Depot Changed Everything12:32 Licensed in 50 States13:21 “I’m Actually a Banker”14:52 Money Stopped Mattering15:25 Seven Kids One Empire17:29 Every Son Digs Ditches18:35 500 People Short Today19:55 Built His Own University20:45 7,000 Hours Flying Family22:07 Nine-Year-Olds Learn Money22:43 18 of 20 Stayed24:24 100 Kids Through College26:14 “Keep a 3.0 Or Else”27:01 Black Tuesday Almost Ended It28:42 The Covenant He Made30:53 Something Big in 202832:00 AI Is Coming Fast33:01 Trades Are Untouchable34:12 Where the GDP Goes35:39 Your Network Saves You37:43 “Make Your Numbers” Rule39:21 Same Client 42 Years39:39 The Mentor Who Mattered

    41 min

  3. Apr 20

    How to Survive the New AI First World - Eva Ados on Entrepreneurship, AI & Democratizing Investing

    Eva Ados left Greece after watching the 2008 financial crisis destroy hardworking families overnight and decided to bet on American meritocracy. Now the COO and Chief Investment Strategist at ER Shares, she breaks down the immigrant edge in entrepreneurship, the skills you'll need to survive the AI era, and how her team is democratizing access to private equity investments like SpaceX and OpenAI through a single ETF.00:00 — Welcome & Introduction02:16 — Eva's Journey: From Competitive Swimming to Wall Street05:46 — Aristocracy vs. Meritocracy: Why Europe Falls Short08:27 — Dick's Take: The Global Perspective from Asia10:47 — The Immigrant Advantage: Why Immigrants Build Better Companies13:28 — What Skills Will You Need in the Age of AI?15:16 — "We'll All Need to Become Entrepreneurs"17:52 — The Venture Capital Approach to Stock Picking (XOVR ETF)21:02 — Risk, Courage & the Personal Journey26:14 — Why Young People Should Embrace Change28:51 — Staying Tuned: Preparation, Relationships & Resilience30:25 — How to Build a Network (In-Person vs. Online)33:42 — The Power of Listening & Curiosity35:59 — Being in the Arena: Daily Performance Reviews37:10 — Why Companies Are Staying Private Longer40:16 — From Stock-Picking to Modern Investing41:58 — Democratizing Access: SpaceX, OpenAI & Private Equity for Everyone45:33 — Closing Thoughts

    48 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    7 Lessons From the Man Who Helped America Become an Energy Superpower Again

    This episode uncovers the unbelievable true story of the CEO who quietly helped spark America’s modern energy comeback, from Hollywood roots and Olympic memories to becoming CEO at just 28 years old. Hans shares raw lessons on leadership, culture, mentorship, faith, and resilience learned across decades of navigating the most volatile industry on earth. He reveals the inside story behind horizontal drilling innovation, U.S. energy independence, and the strategic battles shaping America’s future. This conversation is packed with wisdom on people, purpose, fatherhood, legacy, and building organizations that endure for generations.00:00 The Hollywood Story That Started It All00:37 “I Want to Meet Her One Day” – The Mirror Photo Manifestation01:15 The Phone Call That Led to a Marriage at First “Yes”02:20 How Grace Kelly’s Career Began Because His Mother Quit Hollywood03:00 From Tulsa Roots to NYSE Boardrooms04:12 The Aviation Pioneer & the First U.S. Marshal in Oklahoma05:26 Chosen by Universal Studios… Then Choosing Family Over Fame06:44 The Wild Story of Two People Who Had Already Met Twice08:03 Love Story Ends, Marriage Begins – And He Takes the Red Eye to Prove It09:32 President Eisenhower, A Movie Premiere, and a Proposal Ultimatum11:14 Why Universal Launched a National Search to Replace His Mother12:05 Stepping Into Leadership: From Venezuela Oil Camps to Tulsa Boardrooms13:10 The “Accidental” CEO Promotion at Age 2814:22 Running a Cyclical Empire: Oil Prices, Crashes, and Comebacks15:40 The Mentorship That Saved a Young CEO17:00 Peter Drucker’s Warning That Changed His Leadership Forever18:20 “Your People Are Your Only Strategic Advantage”19:31 Why Culture Beats Strategy Every Single Time20:45 America’s Energy Comeback: The Inside Story22:07 How Horizontal Drilling Re-Engineered America’s Future24:11 Why the U.S. Became the #1 Energy Producer in the World25:45 Rare Earth Wars, China, and America’s Hidden Vulnerability27:20 The Innovation You Haven’t Heard Of: Next-Gen Geothermal29:04 How Mentorship Connects the NCAA, Ford, and a Billion-Dollar Drilling Firm30:37 The Crisis No One Talks About: The Loneliness of Modern Men32:01 The Spiritual Thread Running Through Every Business Decision33:24 Why People Only Follow Leaders Who Show They Care34:56 The True Advantage Every Human Wants: To Be Loved and Respected36:22 What Jesus’ Leadership Model Reveals About Modern CEOs37:50 Tulsa vs. Austin BBQ: The Final Debate39:02 The Most Underrated Trait Every Great CEO Has40:10 Final Message: Faith, Leadership, Legacy

    1h 3m

  5. 12/03/2025

    Legend Gary Bender Reveals 47 Years of Lessons from Michael Jordan, John Wooden, and Roger Staubach

    In this powerful interview, CBS legend Gary Bender shares 47 years of lessons learned from calling iconic moments with Michael Jordan, learning from coaching giant John Wooden, and witnessing the emotional Dan Jansen Olympic Heartbreak firsthand. He reveals untold stories involving Jim Valvano, Roger Staubach, Johnny Unitas, Bob Costas, Pat Haden, and the behind-the-scenes realities of a life spent at the highest levels of sports broadcasting. Bender also opens up about faith, preparation, pressure, perseverance, and how his career—from the Final Four, to the NFL, to the Olympics—was shaped by discipline, listening, trust, and divine timing.00:00 – How Legends Are Made01:10 – Jordan’s Rise and First Shot03:45 – Breaking Into the Networks06:20 – Michael Jordan Behind Scenes08:02 – John Wooden’s Career-Changing Advice10:15 – Jim Valvano’s Extraordinary Philosophy12:00 – The Dan Jansen Heartbreak14:05 – Sneaking Past Olympic Security16:22 – Calling Games Under Pressure18:40 – Lessons From Johnny Unitas21:05 – Roger Staubach’s Leadership Secrets23:18 – Bob Costas and Broadcast Excellence25:30 – The Faith Guiding His Career28:44 – Never Quitting in Hard Seasons31:10 – Finishing Strong in Life33:22 – Why Relationships Define Greatness36:11 – Bender’s Legacy and Mentorship39:00 – Final Lessons for Leaders

    46 min

  6. 11/15/2025

    TRX CEO & Ex Goldman Partner's #1 WARNING: "You'll Run Out of Health Before You Run Out of Money"

    TRX CEO and former Goldman Sachs & TPG private equity partner "Jack" details his radical career pivots, from engineering professor to billion-dollar Wall Street dealmaker, and finally to fitness industry leader. He shares his #1 warning that "you'll run out of health before you run out of money," busting myths about aging and muscle-building while detailing his "binary" approach to parenting and the "zero discipline" diet that keeps him fit at 60. This conversation provides a masterclass in living a good life through intellectual curiosity, lifelong community, and the "kid in a candy store" mindset required to master life's transitions.00:00 Goldman Vet's #1 HEALTH WARNING 00:32 Welcome to Tuned Talks 00:39 TPG King to TRX CEO 02:58 Jack's First Career Pivots 05:01 The "Magical Moment" 06:30 3-Year Goldman Grind 08:27 Why Are People Afraid? 09:52 "Kid in a Candy Store" of a Job10:17 His Wife, The Secret Weapon11:08 Wealth is for Impact 12:42 Partner is #1 Decision 15:07 The "Binary" Wall Street Dad 17:53 Raising 3 Wall Street Sons 19:39 Moving 15 Lifelong Friends 22:31 Community is #1 23:50 Pivot to Wellness 24:26 Health Before Money Mantra 26:14 Acquiring TRX, Fighting at 50 27:14 Decide "Every Day" 28:32 Small, Consistent Decisions 30:12 The "Zero Discipline" Diet 31:02 Stop "Killing Yourself" 33:23 "NONSENSE": Building Muscle at 60 36:12 Your Brain is a Muscle 39:58 Harvard's Happiness Class 41:24 Antidote to AI Fear 42:51 "CRUSH THE FIRST JOB" 44:58 "I Didn't Know My Job" 46:30 Power of Mentorship 50:48 100-Year-Old Sub Hunter 52:14 70-Year-Old SEAL "Crushes" 54:12 "Never Think You're Too Old"

    1 hr

  7. 11/15/2025

    Meet The 96-Year-Old Coach Still Teaching Fortune 500 CEOs How to Win

    At 96, former NCAA and U.S. Olympic Committee leader Dick Schultz sits down with Kevin Cramton to talk about staying “in tune”. From leading global organizations to worshipping with underground CEOs in China, Schultz shares how discipline and humility shaped every season of his life. This episode captures the rare blend of wisdom and conviction from a man who never stopped learning, leading, or listening to God’s plan.01:02 – How to Fix Relationships That Fall Out of Tune04:50 – Why Titles Fade but Relationships Don’t06:53 – The Dangerous Lie of “Retirement”09:21 – How a Teen Coach Became the NCAA’s Leader by Accident11:03 – The Verse That Changed How Leaders Plan Their Lives13:01 – The Real Secret to Staying Sharp for 80 Years14:48 – The Faith Moment That Redefined His Leadership16:58 – Why Doing Good Isn’t Enough to Get You There18:33 – What CEOs in China Taught Him About Worship and Courage21:34 – The Hidden Hunger Inside the World’s Most Powerful Leaders23:34 – The Night 50 CEOs Worshiped in the Dark27:24 – The Final Four Story You’ll Never Forget29:55 – The One Rule His Father Taught That Changed Everything30:05 – Keep Moving Forward — Even When the World Says Stop

    30 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    The Leadership Playbook That Ran the NCAA, Olympics, Global Businesses and Billion-Dollar Deals

    Dick Schultz and Kevin Cramton discuss why leaders shouldn't face challenges alone, emphasizing the need to build a strong support network. They share specific strategies for connecting with others, such as Kevin's story of bonding with a Ukrainian billionaire over a Monet painting and Dick's advice to ask penetrating questions and listen intently. The conversation also covers practical leadership tactics, including the importance of getting honest feedback from your team and understanding the difference between deep, fair-weather, and transactional relationships.01:01 How to Handle Challenges03:32 Build the Right People Team07:44 Ask Questions and Listen10:55 The Power of Connection15:30 Three Tiers of Relationships25:01 Trust: Earned or Given?32:09 True Servant Leadership42:05 Building Credibility With Your Team45:55 The Importance of Self-Awareness54:53 Don't Let Your Ego Win

    56 min

  9. 09/25/2025

    This Untold John Wooden Story Reveals The #1 Rule for Success | Tuned Talks Ep 2

    In this episode of Tuned Talks, former NCAA head Dick Schultz and author Kevin Cramton explore the lessons learned from a vocation in high-stakes coaching and leadership. They discuss the proverbial truth that persistence often beats raw talent, illustrated with personal stories about legendary coach John Wooden and the evolution of basketball. This conversation offers practical career advice on maintaining a healthy family balance and the importance of adaptability to avoid hitting a professional plateau.00:58 Mentoring The Next Generation01:38 The Secret to Coaching02:58 Effort Beats Raw Talent04:28 Recruiting "Go-Get-Em" Guys07:08 Why "C" Students Win08:45 My Best Career Advice09:06 How The Game Changed11:02 Wilt Chamberlain's Illegal Dunk14:35 NBA's International Takeover15:42 The Real "Dream Team" Story18:35 Remembering My Friend, John Wooden20:16 John Wooden's Beard Rule23:52 Getting Wooden To Return29:10 The Career-Family Balance34:22 A Spouse Is Key40:01 Letting Your Kids Choose47:11 "Test Drive" Your Career51:31 The Most Important Skill54:22 Why Problems Are Good

    55 min
  10. Meet the Man Who Ran the NCAA and the U.S. Olympic Committees | Tuned Talks EP #1

    09/08/2025

    Meet the Man Who Ran the NCAA and the U.S. Olympic Committees | Tuned Talks EP #1

    In this episode Kevin Cramton talks with his mentor Dick Schultz, who he calls his "real life Yoda," about his incredible life journey through America's biggest changes. Dick shares amazing stories from growing up during the Great Depression, like how his dad started a brand new frozen food locker business, and how as a coach he led his Iowa basketball team to a huge upset win against number one ranked UCLA and John Wooden. They then compare those simpler times to today's complicated world of college sports, discussing how big money and rules like the transfer portal have changed everything for players and coaches.00:00 Welcome to Tuned Talks00:58 Meeting a Real Life Yoda02:30 Growing Up in Hard Times04:16 Dad's New Business Idea07:48 Learning to Adapt11:56 The Ice Box Business13:59 A Father's Life Lessons18:26 Working Together20:22 Old School Fun and Movies23:08 The Importance of Team Sports26:06 First Coaching experience with the Junior High Team27:54 “Field of Dreams” baseball moment32:18 Becoming a College Coach34:03 Beating the Number One Team and John Wooden37:01 Mentoring Players40:06 The Challenges of Recruiting42:05 How College Sports Have Changed44:58 Ideas to Fix College Sports52:01 The Future of College Conferences55:30 Paying for All the Other Sports01:03:46 The Pressure on Young Athletes01:06:54 Letting Kids Follow Their Own Dreams

    1h 9m
  • 10 Episodes

About

In TUNED Talks, former global CEO Kevin Cramton and his mentor, legendary sports leader Dick Schultz, explore what it truly takes to succeed and live life in TUNE. Each episode uncovers the four essential keys to a resilient life, providing listeners with hard-won wisdom.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Cramton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kevin Cramton
  • Show Website
    TUNED Talks