That’s why I’m excited about my next guest. Mark Mitford is in the studio. He’s the Managing Director of  HR Catalyst Consulting and the author of a powerful book focused on leadership, culture, and building organizations that actually work. Today, we’re diving into what separates average companies from exceptional ones, how great leaders attract and retain top talent, and why investing in people is still the smartest business decision you can make.

The Words Are Backwards. You’re Not. explores a powerful message: dyslexia isn’t a weakness — it’s a superpower. Today, we’re talking about overcoming challenges, redefining success, and why the way you think might actually be your greatest advantage.

My next guest says that may be one of the biggest threats facing our country today. Aaron Perlut is in the studio, and his new book, The Death of Compromise, takes a hard look at how we lost the ability to meet in the middle, why compromise has become viewed as weakness, and what it’s doing to our politics, relationships, and culture.

My next guest knows exactly how to do that. LaKessia Hill is the CEO and founder of L’Mychele & Associates LLC, and she’s built a reputation for creating events that don’t just look amazing — they leave a lasting impression. From galas to large-scale productions, she understands how to turn a vision into an experience people will never forget.

That’s why I’m excited to welcome Monica Connolly to the studio. She’s a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and my friend — and she’s here to remind us why taking care of yourself isn’t optional, it’s essential.

That’s exactly why Wendy Wildt is here.

She’s a speaker, bestselling author of the Buckets series, and she’s helping people stop waiting and start doing. In this episode, Wendy breaks down how to take that idea off the shelf, get out of your own way, and actually bring your story to life.

If you’ve been saying “one day”… this might be the moment it becomes today.

A former international model who represented Ireland in the Ford Supermodel of the World competition at 16, Alison spent decades in the spotlight while privately struggling with addiction, depression, and anxiety. Eleven years sober, she now speaks on stages worldwide about energy management, self-awareness, and the power of reconnecting with yourself in a disconnected world.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Alison shares the harrowing night that led to her sobriety, the career she lost after publicly sharing her recovery story in Ireland, and why she believes that moment of losing everything was actually the best thing that ever happened to her. She also talks about her daily journal, "Change Your Day: The 5-Minute Way," a neuroscience-backed practice that helps people build gratitude and intention in just five minutes a day.

Learn more at alisoncanavan.com

Audra is the President of Broad 360 Marketing. She spent nine years at Walt Disney ABC Radio building a nontraditional revenue department, then went on to manage corporate sponsorships and media for nationally ranked DFW events including Taste Addison, Kaboomtown, and Oktoberfest. She packaged Kaboomtown into a $250,000 Anheuser Busch sponsorship deal and helped raise half a million dollars for Folds of Honor through a regionalized partnership with Albertsons.

In this episode, Audra covers:
— Why the word "package" kills your credibility with corporate buyers
— How to run a proper needs analysis before you ever pitch a brand
— The "liquid to lips" principle that drives beer and beverage sponsorships
— Her plans to help nonprofits move beyond donor dependency through brand alignment

Audra's upcoming two-day live virtual master class, Land Your Next Sponsor Intensive, is designed so attendees leave with real sponsorship opportunities in motion—not just notes.

Sign up: https://broad360marketing.com/intensive
LeadHERship Global: http://leadhershipglobal.com

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Gayle Goodman Lynch, Business Life Coach and founder of CoEqual Network, shares how she helps entrepreneurs navigate that turning point. A 17+ year business owner, former corporate marketing executive, and host of the Choice Wisdom podcast, Gayle works with leaders who want to grow their companies without losing themselves in the process.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- How Gayle turned a job loss during the Great Recession into a thriving consulting career
- Why businesses enter a “teenage stage” and what founders must change as they scale
- How a leader’s stress and behavior quietly shape company culture
- The mindset shift that helps entrepreneurs build a business that serves their life

Gayle also shares lessons from running a company with her husband and why self-regulation and forgiveness play a larger role in business success than most people realize.

Learn more about Gayle and CoEqual Network at: https://www.coequalnetwork.com

Wright runs nobodybeatsmyrates.com and works through Nexa Mortgage, which gives him access to over 300 different lending investors. That means when a big-box bank says no, he usually has another path forward. He's particularly passionate about serving veterans, who he calls one of the most underserved groups in the mortgage industry.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Wright explains:
- His no-closing-cost refinance strategy and how he once refinanced a single client 11 times over several years
- Why he believes now is actually the right time to buy, even with rates around 6%
- The story of a veteran turned down by five banks who Wright was able to get into a home
- How growing up on a 155-acre farm under the watch of a retired Army colonel shaped his approach to business
- His radio show, the Mortgage and Cash Flow Show, and how it expanded his reach across Texas

🔗 https://nobodybeatsmyrates.com

Ayako is the founder of The Alchemy Yoga, a wellness studio built around yoga, meditation, and sound healing. She's been practicing Vipassana meditation since 2014, sits for two hours a day in silence, has led sold-out retreats in Costa Rica for three consecutive years, and authored "Mind Alchemy," a guide to establishing a meditation practice.

In this episode, she and Jeff Crilley talk about why we explode when we never give ourselves time to process, how sound healing with gongs and crystal bowls actually works on the brain, practical alternatives for people who can't sit still (like walking barefoot in the grass), and the deeply personal cancer journey that gave The Alchemy Yoga its name. Ayako also shares how she helped a high schooler with severe ADHD find focus through box breathing and sound bowls, and previews her upcoming second book, "The Deepening."

🔗 https://thealchemyyoga.com
📖 Mind Alchemy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/069KMBb0

Barrios currently serves on the Richardson City Council, where he puts in 40-45 hours a week in what is essentially a volunteer role. He grew up in Brownsville, Texas — 1.2 miles from the Mexican border — and was the first person in his family to graduate from high school and college. He's called North Texas home for more than 25 years.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Barrios talks about:
— Why he created "Breakfast with Barrios," cooking breakfast tacos in neighbors' front yards to bring people into the political process
— The redistricting math behind the 32nd District and why he believes it's competitive
— What he's hearing from voters across party lines about rising costs, disappearing rural services, and feeling disconnected from government
— His personal story growing up on the border and how 1.2 miles shaped his understanding of opportunity in America

Learn more:
https://www.danbarriosforcongress.com

0:00 - Introduction
1:19 - Dan Barrios Enters the Race
1:38 - Background and Richardson's Diversity
2:25 - Accomplishments on City Council
3:21 - Core Platform and Vision
4:09 - Understanding District 32 and Redistricting
4:47 - Campaign Strategy and Voter Appeal
6:49 - Family Roots and the American Dream
8:06 - Economic Concerns and Access to Healthcare
8:41 - Constituent Feedback and Call to Action
11:16 - Concluding Remarks

Jeff Crilley welcomes three key figures behind the upcoming House of DIFFA: Richard Rivas (Trustee, DIFFA Dallas), Grant Farmer (Trustee, DIFFA Dallas), and Robyn Chauvin (Creative Director & Producer, House of DIFFA). Together they're responsible for an annual runway spectacle that's part Broadway performance, part charity gala—featuring roughly 80 models, nearly 200 looks, a two-story stage, and only one rehearsal.

In this episode:
– How DIFFA started in New York in 1984 and grew into a national organization, with the Dallas chapter serving over 20 local aid service organizations
– Where the money goes: non-earmarked funds covering counseling, medication, transportation, and other needs the government doesn't cover
– What makes the show so different from a typical runway event—large-scale costumes, headpieces, performers, and models who create characters on what may be the longest runway in Texas

House of DIFFA takes place May 9. Tickets, tables, and sponsorship information: diffadallas.org

A neurologist gave Sandra Yancey’s daughter a 1% chance to live after a routine doctor’s visit went catastrophically wrong.

Standing over her intubated daughter in the ICU, Sandra leaned in and whispered:
 “You’ve been a one percenter your whole life. Here we go. Here we go again.”

Months later, the same neurologist pulled down her mask and said six words no one expected:
 “You got a miracle.”

In this powerful episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Sandra Yancey — founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork — shares the full story:

From launching a networking platform during the dot-com boom (when she was literally driving photos to Kinko’s on floppy disks),
 to the customer phone call from Atlanta that pivoted everything toward face-to-face connection,
 to the harrowing day in April that nearly took her daughter’s life.

Sandra’s lens is always the same: take the data everyone else sees as a death sentence and find the signal inside it.

🔑 KEY MOMENTS

0:00 — Introduction
 1:20 — Starting eWomenNetwork in a spare bedroom above the garage
 2:30 — The dot-com pivot: “the first Facebook for women business owners”
 5:00 — The Atlanta phone call that changed everything
 6:00 — Building a global networking organization
 8:20 — The spirit of abundance: “We lift as we climb”
 9:50 — April 11: The call from the stage in Denver
 10:44 — The kitchen phone call: Kym sobbing “Our baby, our baby”
 12:30 — The first Godwink: last seat on the flight
 14:20 — Walking into the ICU
 16:24 — The 1% whisper at Briana’s bedside
 19:28 — Briana’s recovery begins
 21:30 — The neurologist says: “You got a miracle”
 23:00 — How the experience changed Sandra’s outlook on life
 24:20 — Briana’s full recovery and new baby
 26:00 — eWomenNetwork’s upcoming Dallas event on June 11

📌 CONNECT WITH SANDRA YANCEY & eWomenNetwork
🌐 Website: https://eWomenNetwork.com

Sandra’s SHIFT tour is June 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at The Meridian in Fairview, TX.

 Save your seat:

 https://www.ewomennetwork.com/event/2026-women-s-success-summit-shift-the-ceo-advantage-06-11-2026-12117/register

#SandraYancey #eWomenNetwork #TheJeffCrilleyShow #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Miracle #OnePercenter #Networking #Resilience #Inspiration

John Calce, CEO and founder of America First Refining, joins Jeff Crilley to discuss his twelve-year mission to build a state-of-the-art refinery in Brownsville, Texas, designed specifically for American shale oil.

In this episode, we cover:
- Why the U.S. currently sends crude oil to Asia only to buy it back as gasoline.
- The "pizza oven" analogy for why old refineries can't easily process new shale oil.
- How this $4 billion project will create 500 direct jobs and bolster national security.
- The arduous seven-year permitting process with the TCEQ and the Governor’s office.

Learn more about the project at https://americafirstrefining.com/

The real risk today isn't that AI takes your job—it's that you ignore AI and lose your competitive edge to someone who didn't. 

In this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Matt rejoins the studio to discuss how he transitioned Allata from custom dev to an AI-first consultancy. He shares:
✅ How they used AI toolsets to cut employee review times from 10 hours to 30 minutes.
✅ Why "structuring your data" is the non-negotiable first step for enterprise AI.
✅ Lessons from the "Dot Com" era vs. the current AI gold rush.

Don't miss this deep dive into bringing real ROI to the enterprise through intelligent automation.

Visit Allata: allata.com

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #EnterpriseTech #Automation

Dr. Lucette is a veterinarian turned best-selling author, speaker, and mindset coach. After surviving cancer as a single parent with no safety net, and then nearly going bankrupt while trying to rescue her brother from a state mental hospital, she rebuilt her life — going from several hundred thousand dollars in debt to running a million-dollar business in roughly two years. That experience became the foundation of her Brain Reset Method.

In this episode, she and Jeff talk about:
— The BRAIN acronym and what each letter means in practice (Build responsibility, Reframe without toxic positivity, Awareness, Integrity/Intuition, Neuro Aligned Navigation)
— How the reticular activating system decides what you can and can't see based on what you're telling yourself
— Why "shoulding on yourself" raises cortisol and shuts down your cerebral cortex
— A client story about journaling challenges into existence — and the real-time moment she realized she could rewrite the script
— The cheerleader story: how kids as young as 12 have already internalized self-punishment as a learning tool

Free resource: yourbrainresetblueprint.com

Linda is the Founder and CEO of LOI Agency and The Posh Savant, two companies that help entrepreneurs and growing businesses develop brand strategies modeled on Fortune 500 approaches. She's also the creator of the Wow Conference—Walk on Water—an annual event that combines business education, motivational content, and production-level entertainment.

In this episode, Linda walks through how LOI Agency took a client from napkin-stage idea to a sold-out women's event in six months. She explains why The Posh Savant exists as a more affordable on-ramp for entrepreneurs who aren't ready for full agency services. Jeff puts her on the spot with a hypothetical donut shop and zero online presence, and Linda breaks down exactly where to start. The conversation also covers the Wow Conference's new traveling format and why Linda believes brand strategy without life balance is only half the equation.

🔗 loiagency.com
🔗 poshsavant.com
🔗 livethewowlife.com

Julie sits down with Jeff Crilley to talk about the wildcatters who drilled dozens of dry holes before striking it rich, the ranching families whose land sat atop massive oil fields, and the legendary names — Sid Richardson, the Hunts, Monty Moncrief, Glen McCarthy — who built fortunes and then gave back through universities, hospitals, and museums.

The episode covers:
— How the 1980s oil bust shaped Julie's early career and what it taught her about the industry's cycles
— The Haywood brothers: four vaudeville musicians, one of whom read about Spindletop in a San Francisco newspaper and immediately wired his brother to meet him in Beaumont
— The real-life Fort Worth oil man behind the John Hamm character on Landman
— Why so many of Texas's biggest oil discoveries happened on cattle ranches, and why those ranching stories rival the wildcat tales

📖 Learn more about the book: https://www.texas1836.org/about-the-book

Anagha is a leadership expert, culture architect, and certified handwriting analyst with 23 years of experience as an electrical engineer leading global teams in corporate America. She now works with small business owners and C-suite executives to accelerate hiring decisions and unlock team performance using handwriting analysis.

In this episode, she and Jeff Crilley talk through:
— How handwriting reveals over 150 personality traits and what that means for hiring the right salespeople
— The three types of thinkers (tennis player, scale, ducks in a row) and why boards get stuck when they don't recognize them
— Her work coaching Jack Canfield on his signature — and how changing your handwriting can actually rewire limiting personality traits
— What she found when analyzing the handwriting of 56 Oscar nominees (53 shared one surprising trait)
— Her podcast Boardroom Breakthroughs and why she believes culture, not AI, will separate winning companies over the next few years

🔗 https://anaghadeshmukh.com

Jared DeRuby is the CEO of Talent Corps and Medical-Talent, two staffing companies he built from scratch after getting fired from a corporate job where he'd been the top sales producer for eight or nine years straight. A fourth-generation electrician and U.S. Marine, Jared now places thousands of skilled tradespeople on data center projects and utility-scale solar builds, while his healthcare arm handles thirteen-week travel nurse contracts and same-day-pay PRN shifts for hospitals nationwide.

In this episode, Jared talks with Jeff Crilley about:
— How growing up without a father figure and getting kicked out of school led him to the Marine Corps, and how that shaped his discipline and drive
— Why Gen Z is skipping college for apprenticeship programs, and what that workforce shift looks like on the ground at major electrical contractors
— The staggering demand for electricians in data center construction — one client alone needs 1,300 to 1,500 more within the next year
— What travel nurses actually earn now versus the $6,000-a-week COVID peak, and how the nursing shortage keeps getting worse
— His experience being in the air on September 11th, getting stranded, and still making it back for deployment
— Why implementing EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System) changed everything for his companies' growth

Learn more:

talentcore.com
medical-talent.com

Steven spent years as a senior leader for fixed operations at Lithia Motors before launching Stigmare, which offers fractional CMO services, AI search optimization, and digital PR for small and mid-size companies. He also took Juno's Liquor from $8,000 in monthly sales to over $1 million in annual revenue across three locations, then exited with a 3x return.

In this episode:
– Why 25–34% of searches are moving to AI chat platforms and what that means for businesses still paying for traditional SEO
– The roofing bid story: how Claude generated technical questions that decided a five-figure contract before the contractors could respond
– How third-party media coverage (press releases in Yahoo Finance, USA Today, Fox Business) acts as a trust signal that AI models reward
– The referral trap: why relying solely on word-of-mouth creates a roller-coaster revenue cycle
– Steven's nomination for Entrepreneur Magazine's Entrepreneur of Impact award, supporting Gen Youth and Toys for Tots

https://stigmar.com

Jessica is the host of Gal on the Prowl, a podcast and platform built around female empowerment with the mantra "rise, rebuild, and roar." She's also four and a half years sober and a passionate advocate for the CAVA bar community as a social alternative for people who don't drink.

In this episode, Jeff and Jessica talk about:
- How Vacation Kitten teaches kids three water safety essentials: swim lessons, life vests, and water watchers
- The emotional origin of The Christmas Kitten and how writing it became part of her healing
- Her sobriety journey and why the CAVA community filled a gap she didn't know how to fill
- An upcoming documentary called bula exploring the kratom controversy in Texas
- The on-mic proposal from her fiancé Ty, who asked "will you meow me?" — a phrase he pulled from her first episode

Learn more: galontheprowl.com
Support the run for elise foundation: swimforelise.com

Glenna is a leadership strategist, author, and speaker who came up through training, human resources, and theater (yes, theater). On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, she explains why leading people today is harder than it's ever been, and why the old "my way or the highway" approach flat out doesn't work anymore.

One moment that really lands: Glenna talks about how we put people in charge and then wonder why things go sideways. "We promote people that are great workers, but we don't often give them a way to be great leaders." She breaks down the art of having difficult conversations while still treating people with compassion, and why that skill set isn't optional anymore.

If you manage anyone, or want to someday, this one's worth your time.

Listen to the full conversation 👇

Aaron is a DISC master trainer, personality strategy expert, and keynote speaker whose upcoming book Blind Spots lays out a framework for identifying the leadership weaknesses most people can't—or won't—see in themselves. He's coached everyone from corporate teams to former Dallas Cowboy Greg Ellis, and he runs Legacy Training Network, where he works with small and mid-sized companies struggling with communication breakdowns and disengaged employees.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Aaron walks through:
- The moment he offered to double a top performer's salary and was told "no thank you"—and what that rejection forced him to confront
- How the DISC personality model helps leaders spot their blind spots and turn them into clear vision
- The $26,000-per-employee annual cost of miscommunication, and the question he asked a CFO that stopped the room cold
- His Amplify Your Voice Speakers Academy, a three-day Orlando workshop where speakers build professional reels, one sheets, and story reels from scratch

Take Aaron's free leadership blind spots quiz and learn more: https://legacytrainingnetwork.com

Her current flagship project is DFW Hype, a micro-drama series set in Dallas following three women navigating power, loyalty, and ambition. She produced the pilot over the past year with cinematographer Timothy Alexander White and is now heading into production on ten vertical episodes.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Melvina talks about:

- Her creative philosophy of asking clients "how do you want people to feel?" and why that question shapes everything she writes
- The story behind a stoic animation CEO who finally cracked a smile and told her "we really feel heard"
- Her role as project manager and host at the Denton Black Film Festival, now in its twelfth year with 60-70 events over three to four days
- Building an ensemble cast like a family rather than running a turnkey production, and why she spends significant time rehearsing with her actors
- The Audacity of Belief, her upcoming vision-casting event launching in Houston to connect actors, directors, producers, and investors

Learn more: shempowerslit.com
Follow DFW Hype on Instagram: @dfwhype_tv

That’s why this conversation matters.

On this episode, we welcome Kelli James, Director of Marketing and Communications for Southwest Transplant Alliance. She joins us to share how organ donation works, why awareness is so important, and how a simple choice can create a lasting legacy.

Amayea is the Owner and Chief Inspiration Officer of Growth Peaks and author of the just-released Leadership: The S Bomb That They Don't Tell You. She joins Jeff Crilley to talk about what actually goes wrong when new leaders take the reins without training, why the old "my way or the highway" approach fails across every generation, and how situational leadership—understanding your people's language instead of your own—changes everything.

They also get into imposter syndrome (especially for Gen Z leaders managing people twice their age), a real coaching case where Amayea helped an IT entrepreneur unstick his business and sell it successfully, and why even brilliant founders have to admit what they're bad at and let go. Plus, Jerry Jones gets some unsolicited leadership advice.

Learn more at growthpeaks.net

Dr. Taylor shares how his practice nearly folded during lockdown before telehealth saved it, and how Taylor Counseling Group has since expanded to over 55 therapists and 10 locations across Texas. He explains his values-based therapy approach—the idea that small daily choices that conflict with your core values quietly compound until you're asking "who am I?"—and tells the story of a client named Brooke whose total transformation after divorce left him unable to recognize her when she walked back into his office years later.

The conversation gets into the quarter-life crisis hitting people in their twenties, the pressure on 12-year-olds to plan careers decades out, and the link between Instagram's 2009 smartphone launch and the first meaningful tracking of preteen suicide. Dr. Taylor also previews his upcoming book, "You Are Here," built around real client stories of self-discovery.

https://taylorcounselinggroup.com

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Roxana explains why the healthcare system isn't broken because of bad technology—it's broken because the technology doesn't match how people actually work. She walks through how MedTells pulls live data across platforms so providers get consistent numbers and can act on them immediately. She also talks about her foundation offering free online certifications for women and children, focused on human trafficking, mental health, and youth development.

Right now MedTells is focused on federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)—clinics that treat patients regardless of ability to pay, a sixty-year-old program Roxana says not enough people know about.

Learn more: medtells.com

Kelly is the CEO (Chief Enthusiasm Officer) of Kelly Kitchens PR, a publicity firm she founded in 1995 after serving as entertainment editor for The Met, a popular North Texas arts and entertainment weekly. She's been recognized as a "master publicist" by both the Fort Worth Business Press and The Dallas Morning News, and journalists regularly refer clients her way—a rare endorsement in the PR world.

In this episode, Kelly and Jeff talk about:
– Her journalism roots and how editing The Met's calendar connected her to every arts organization in the region
– Surviving 9/11's devastating impact on entertainment PR and rebuilding her client base
– Her work across major Texas film festivals, from Dallas International to Lone Star to her own creation, It Came From Texas, which showcases exclusively Texas-made films
– The TCM Classic Film Festival community she's helped build over 16 years
– An upcoming AI film festival she's planning with Dallas Video Fest founder Bart Weiss, and why she thinks the film world needs to engage with AI rather than dismiss it

Learn more: kellykitchenspr.com

Kelly and Richard Archibald founded Qavah The Storehouse to change that moment. Their nonprofit assembles "first night bags": brand-new backpacks stocked with pajamas, an outfit for the next day, toiletries, and a handwritten note of encouragement. They deliver them to CPS offices and the Children's Advocacy Center so caseworkers can hand a bag to a child on the worst night of their life.

Richard speaks from firsthand experience. As a boy, he and his brothers were taken to a shelter after his mother's arrest—given only a thin gown, nothing else. That memory fuels everything the organization does. Kelly, a small business owner who also serves on the Child Welfare Board, walks through exactly what goes into each bag and explains the standard they hold themselves to: "if our children were going to spend the night with somebody."

The episode also covers Qavah's reunification parties for families coming back together, their donations of Halloween costumes to homeless student-parents at DISD, and the couple's popular podcast featuring foster care alumni and survivors telling their own stories. Their next goal is a brick-and-mortar location where kids can walk in and pick out clothes and supplies for themselves.

https://www.qavahpodcast.com/qavahstorehouse

Catherine Ogie is the author of the bestselling book Unshakable and a U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. On this episode, she walks Jeff Crilley through the full timeline of her health crisis, starting from the October 2022 emergency room visit where she learned she'd already had a heart attack without knowing it.

What this episode covers:
– The cascade of diagnoses: heart failure, blood clots, esophageal thinning, and stomach paralysis
– How switching to UT Southwestern and Dr. Araj may have saved her life when he flagged her medications as harmful
– The role of forgiveness, grounding, Nigerian food cravings, and worship in her recovery
– Getting fired from her job of 16 years—and getting it back 30 minutes later
– Why she wrote Unshakable and what she wants readers to take from it

Connect with Catherine Ogie: https://www.facebook.com/people/Catherine-Ogie/100009199241811/

Janet is a keynote speaker, ten-time author, and Chief Glow Strategist who helps accomplished women stop shrinking and start leading out loud. On this episode, she sits down with Jeff Crilley to talk about the childhood experiences that turned her into a people pleaser (17 schools will do that), the corporate burnout she refused to call burnout until a single weekend of reading changed everything, and why she wrote Let Her Glow to document the messy, honest process of finding herself again.

Topics covered:
– Growing up with a mother who had severe mental illness and how constant moves shaped her identity
– The signs of burnout she kept ignoring—driving to work in silence, losing interest in things she loved
– How 46 women became first-time published authors through Janet's collaborative book projects
– Her practical burnout recovery steps: unplug, ask hard questions, and stop living someone else's version of your life
– A sneak peek at book number eleven, Rebellious Leadership, based on her LinkedIn newsletter

Learn more at letherglow.com

James Faust, the festival's Artistic Director, has been involved since the beginning. He recounts the early days of partnering with AFI and rattles off a guest list that includes Robert De Niro, Charlize Theron, Jeremy Renner (who showed up with The Hurt Locker before anyone knew it was an Oscar film), and Adrian Brody. Dallas Film Commissioner Katie Schuck explains how Texas's newly funded incentive program and the Taylor Sheridan effect have turned DFW into the state's top production hub. Creative Director Austin Flores breaks down this year's industry conference, featuring keynotes from Warner Brothers co-chair Michael DeLuca and Sing Sing director Greg Kwedar, plus 11 panels on producing, funding, documentary filmmaking, and more.

The group also gets into the AI question head-on — where it might help with color correction or sound sweetening, and where it crosses a line into replacing real people on set. James shares a specific example of a Swedish film that used AI to clone actors' voices for an English dub, and why that felt like a step too far.

This year's festival screens 100+ films from around the world at Cinematopolis and the Texas Theater, with the conference hosted at the Virgin Hotels Dallas. Opening night features The Last Shot with Jaime Pressly, Baron Davis, and Dallas native Johnny Simmons.

diffdallas.org

Kramer walks through the Foundation's record-setting 2024: $52.25 million in contributions and $32 million granted to 900 organizations across the U.S. He shares specific examples of where the money goes — from building a soccer field for kids playing on broken glass in one of Dallas's poorest neighborhoods to security grants for churches and schools.

The episode includes a full scholarship speech from a Cristo Rey Dallas junior who won the Foundation's annual essay competition, delivering a personal reflection on Catholic education and hope to an audience of 1,100 people.

Kramer also makes a point that surprises many: you don't have to be Catholic to work with the Foundation. It operates as a community foundation focused on relationships over transactions, helping donors with both current giving and legacy planning.

catholicfoundation.com

Pastor Mike Hayes founded Covenant Church in Dallas and has led it for 50 years. Dr. Jeffrey Garner is a scholar of spiritual formation who started as Hayes's ghostwriter before being "unghosted" as full co-author. Together they wrote Real Happy: Jesus' Surprising Path to Genuine Joy.

In this conversation they cover how the book was born on the Mount of Beatitudes in Israel, why "poor in spirit" doesn't endorse poverty but invites emptiness God can fill, the poppy-versus-lily translation and its connection to Jesus's attack on worry, why happiness is an inside job that can't be purchased or pursued, and how serving others breaks the self-focus cycle that feeds depression. Hayes also references Harvard's 80-year study on happiness—and explains what it leaves unanswered.

imrealhappy.com

Jessica holds CPA, MST, and CTP credentials and handles deep tax research and strategy vetting. Charlene is the relationship builder and decision maker who got her start at a tax office after having her first daughter. Together they've earned the nickname "the CPA Sisters."

In this episode, they talk about:

– How they caught missed tax opportunities for a C Corp client that had been getting IRS notices for years
– Why their proactive monthly model replaces the reactive once-a-year approach most firms use
– Their involvement with ProVisors, the professional referral network built on Know, Like, Trust, Refer
– What makes them work so well together—and the specific strengths each sister brings

Learn more at ccgroupadvisors.com

Jenevy is the author of Proverbs and Profits, a serial entrepreneur who runs The Evolve Firm (a visual communications company), and the Vice President of Business Professionals of San Antonio, the city's largest networking group. She also sits on the boards of Fashion for Life and Children's Rehabilitation Institute Teleton (CRIT).

In this conversation, Jenevy explains why she believes entrepreneurship is "spiritual warfare with a business plan" and walks through her framework distinguishing purpose, calling, and assignment. She gets candid about the pandemic-era betrayal by a business partner who left, stole half her clients, and told them she quit to be a mom—the painful chapter she calls "The Wound That Woke the Assignment." She also talks about how Business Professionals of San Antonio has given every dollar raised directly to local nonprofits since 2017, and shares a blunt call to action for anyone hiding behind excuses instead of stepping into their next season.

Learn more: https://www.jenevysims.com/

Linda is the founder and CEO of LeadHership Global, a community of over 10,000 women leaders spanning Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Nairobi, New York, Dallas, Vancouver, and beyond. She's a two-time TEDx speaker, six-time TV producer, international bestselling author, and a returning guest — her first appearance on the show was five years ago.

In this conversation, Linda and Jeff talk about the persistent funding gap for women-owned businesses, why blind funding systems dramatically improve outcomes for female entrepreneurs, and how LeadHership Global builds 12-month strategic plans around each member's individual definition of success. 

Linda also introduces an integration with CurvUp, an AI-powered platform that bundles coaching, investor access, and fractional support into one ecosystem — think LinkedIn meets Upwork meets a VC pitch room.

https://leadhershipglobal.com
https://curvup.io

Jeff Crilley talks with Lori Vann, an international behavioral health speaker and founder of the Institute for Non-Suicidal Self Injury, who has spent 26 years working with clients of all ages who self-harm. Lori has authored four books on the subject, trained school districts and treatment facilities, and appeared alongside Dr. Phil to discuss the link between social media and self-injury in teens.

In this episode:
- Why self-injury is not a suicide attempt, and why asking about intent matters
- The 37 forms of self-injury most people never think about—hitting, biting, and beyond
- How social media's instant feedback loop fuels self-harm among young people
- The dangers of using AI chatbots as a substitute for human counselors, including active lawsuits tied to AI-validated suicides
- Lori's books, coaching services, and free resources for caregivers

Learn more at lorivann.com

Elisabeth Gould is an author, professional speaker, and Growth Catalyst Coach who runs Speaking At Her Best. She self-published her devotional book, 31 Best Ways to Love Yourself, during the early weeks of COVID in 2020, and she still uses it as her own daily reminder when life gets hard. She's also a Nasdaq futures day trader who recently launched Pretty Girl Swag University (PGSU), a coaching platform aimed at women in corporate America who want to build new income streams or transition into entrepreneurship.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Elisabeth talks about meeting Oprah at 18 during a national high school competition, why she recorded faith-based motivational videos on her corporate lunch breaks, her honest take on whether day trading is actually easy, and what she'd say to anyone going through a heavy season right now.

🔗 Pretty Girl Swag University: https://speakingatherbest.com/pgsu/
📖 31 Best Ways to Love Yourself: https://shop.speakingatherbest.com/product-details-4473/product/67c912f942a34d6b370b48c5

Rosemary Bennett spent decades in sales leadership before COVID pushed her into involuntary retirement. Struggling to reinvent herself, she took a friend's offhand suggestion and entered the Miss Texas Senior America pageant — something she'd never heard of and had zero experience with. She placed second runner-up the first time, then came back and won the crown in November 2025.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Rosemary talks about rediscovering her identity as a vocal performer after years away from music, what the pageant competition actually involves (interview, philosophy of life, and talent), and her concept of "TBD" — the Time Before Dignity — a case for why people over 60 should be doubling down on purpose and livelihood, not winding down. She also shares how performing with the Dallas Symphony Chorus and singing at community events like the Plano Police Department's honorary ceremony keep her grounded.

Rosemary heads to the national Miss Senior America competition in October 2025.

Learn more: https://misstexassenioramerica.org

Avi and Nika are the husband-and-wife team behind AviNika Jewelry, a custom design house specializing in one-of-a-kind men's rings and statement pieces. Their origin story is personal—Nika designed Avi's wedding ring from scratch after they couldn't find anything meaningful at big-name stores. She comes from a family of artisans; her father makes jewelry in Ukraine and her grandfather has been crafting metal art for over four decades.

In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, they walk through how they work with clients to turn personal stories and milestones into wearable heirlooms—from a customer who brought in a rare ruby needing a worthy setting, to a boutique owner in Austin commemorating his new store with a 22-karat gold pinky ring. They talk about their Versailles-inspired scrollwork, why each piece takes weeks (sometimes months) to complete, and their recent feature in the DuPont Registry alongside Cartier, Dior, and Bvlgari.

Learn more at avianikajewelry.com

Tanya is a master certified life and executive coach, a former Tony Robbins senior trainer, and the creator of Love Is An Inside Job and From Rat Race to Sanity. She's trained alongside John Maxwell and Joe Dispenza, worked at Coca-Cola in sales and training, and has over thirty years in the personal development space.

In this episode, Tanya talks with Jeff Crilley about:
- The childhood tragedy at fourteen that nearly derailed her, and the mentors who pulled her through
- Her method for breaking 3 a.m. thought loops: changing your physical state and asking four specific questions
- Coaching an opera singer who couldn't believe in her own voice—until she landed the lead at The Met
- Why she compares her coaching style to Zorro: direct, confidential, and laser-focused on root causes rather than surface-level fixes
- Her upcoming show, From Rat Race to Sanity, and the "dirty dozen" emotions her programs are built to address

🔗 loveisaninsidejob.com

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Jon K., CEO & Co-Founder of Masterpiece Sites, a digital marketing agency focused on helping small and mid-sized businesses build a strong online presence. Over the past eight years, Jon has worked with hundreds of clients—from local restaurants and dental clinics to global logistics companies—developing websites, search strategies, and social media systems that drive real traffic.

In this conversation, they discuss:
- why mobile-first websites and search visibility matter more than ever
- how video content on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube shapes buying decisions
- the story of a struggling dessert shop owner whose business turned around in just two weeks after a digital overhaul
- Jon’s expansion into Arvana Branding and the role AI will play in future marketing systems

Jon also shares practical insight into building a marketing team, creating repeatable processes, and treating each client’s brand like it’s your own.

Learn more at: 
https://www.masterpiecesites.com

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with entertainment host and cofounder of Playbook Marketing Danielle Hawthorne to trace her path from an entry-level job at Studio Movie Grill to interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Danielle shares how a last-minute flight to Los Angeles landed her first national junket with Mark Wahlberg and opened the door to years of red carpet conversations with A‑list talent. She reflects on what it takes to stand out during long press tours, why bringing props and playfulness can change the tone of an interview, and what she learned from memorable moments with actors like Ryan Gosling. The conversation also turns to entrepreneurship, including how the pandemic forced her to pivot and co-found Playbook Marketing to help female founders clarify their brand stories. It’s a candid look at reinvention, storytelling, and why supporting local film communities still matters.

Danielle also talks about CinemaCon, the Dallas International Film Festival, and why supporting local theaters and filmmakers makes a difference.

Learn more about Danielle and Playbook Marketing at: 
https://www.theplaybookmktg.com/

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Staci Wright, CEO & Founder of HeartProfit. A mother of two and serial entrepreneur who has built six businesses over 20 years, including a multi-million-dollar venture, Staci now leads a nonprofit movement focused on transforming workplace culture through compassion-driven leadership.

In this conversation, Staci shares:
- The personal story of her sister’s battle with addiction—and how one caring boss changed everything
- Why the traditional top-down “pyramid” leadership model is failing today’s workforce
- The HeartProfit “tree” framework that connects healthy leadership to healthy profit
- The difference between compliance and commitment—and why it matters for retention

She also explains HeartProfit’s certification program for leaders who want to build trust, increase performance, and create workplaces where people actually thrive.

Learn more at: https://heartprofit.org

In this episode, Jeff Crilley talks with Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group and a nationally recognized expert in AI enablement for contractors and service-based businesses. For nearly 20 years, Jennifer has helped trade companies modernize their marketing, operations, and growth strategies. Now she’s leading the charge in bringing practical AI tools to an industry that has historically lagged behind digital trends.

In this conversation, they discuss:
- How one HVAC company eliminated most paid ads and hit record sales with a 25% net profit
- What an AI-enabled website and “agentic” marketing network actually do
- Why younger technicians are embracing AI faster than industry veterans
- How business owners can start using AI in both marketing and operations

Jennifer also shares insights from her podcast, Catalyst for the Trades, including stories of contractors leveraging AI to outperform seasoned competitors.

Learn more at:
https://ciwebgroup.com
https://juststartai.io

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Blake Lugash, CEO of Realty Capital Partners. With more than 30 years of experience in urban real estate development and the successful completion of 15 townhome communities across Texas, Blake leads a firm that partners with developers nationwide to fund opportunistic and value-add commercial projects.

In this conversation, they discuss:
• How Realty Capital Partners mitigates construction, financing, market, and entitlement risk
• Current projects in Austin, Silicon Valley, Aspen’s Roaring Fork Valley, Sherman, and Uptown Dallas
• Why workforce housing and flex industrial space are in high demand
• RCP’s performance track record, including a 1.9x equity multiple and 19% IRR across 40 full-cycle projects since 2010

If you’ve ever wondered how commercial real estate investing works—or how to diversify beyond stocks and bonds—this episode breaks it down in clear, practical terms.

Learn more: https://www.rcpinvestments.com

0:00 - Introduction and Show Opening
1:17 - Why Consider Commercial Real Estate
1:59 - History of Realty Capital Partners
4:09 - Investment Philosophy and Risk Management
5:47 - Portfolio Highlights and Current Projects
14:57 - Due Diligence and Track Record
16:49 - Why Investors Should Diversify

Subscribe to The Jeff Crilley Show for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Dave Barrett, owner of Heat Wave Lux, about what red light therapy really does at the cellular level and why distance from the light source matters more than most people realize. Dave shares how proper red light exposure may support muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health—without the intense heat people typically associate with saunas.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The difference between infrared saunas and therapeutic red light beds
- How red light supports mitochondrial function and cellular regeneration
- Why athletes use red light for faster recovery
- The role of inflammation in aging, pain, and brain fog

Heat Wave Lux is located near The Star in Frisco and offers a range of infrared and red light options. 

Learn more at https://heatwavelux.com

Grand Opening: April 25, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, with free services and wellness vendors on site.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Sherry Bronson, Artificial Intelligence Trainer & Educator, TV host, and founder of Bronson Media. With more than 16 years in television production and media, Sherry now leads Bronson Media Academy, where she helps entrepreneurs and women solopreneurs use AI tools to launch books, build websites, produce video, and automate their businesses.

In this conversation, they discuss:
- How ChatGPT and other AI tools can help small business owners start and grow faster
- Why AI levels the playing field for solopreneurs with limited time, money, and staff
- The right way to use prompts—and why you must train AI to your voice
- Common mistakes with copy-and-paste content and protecting your intellectual property

Sherry also shares her personal journey of resilience, faith, and rebuilding after losing her studio to a tornado—and how that experience shaped her mission today.

Learn more or book a consultation at: https://sherrybronson.com

If you’re an entrepreneur wondering how to use AI without sounding robotic, this episode is a practical place to start.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with WT Greer, an award-winning Dallas entertainer and acclaimed vocalist who has traveled the world and sung for six U.S. presidents. Known for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence, Greer reflects on the moments that shaped his career and the choices that defined it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The story behind his duet with Mary Wilson of The Supremes—and the note he received from Nelson Mandela
- How a pre-med student signed a life-changing music contract and walked onstage in front of 20,000 people
- What it’s like to perform for presidents and global leaders
- Why he turned down the chance to replace Lionel Richie in The Commodores

Learn more about WT Greer at: https://wtgreer.com

If you care about craft, longevity, and doing meaningful work, you’ll appreciate this conversation.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Jim Petersen, PhD—former Navy submarine officer, retired Navy Captain, financial services executive, speaker, and bestselling author. With 22 years of military service and decades in leadership roles, Jim brings a rare mix of discipline, reflection, and practical insight.

In this conversation, they discuss:
- The leadership lessons Jim learned as a nuclear engineer on submarines
- His book The Facts Don’t Matter and the tension between fact-based and feeling-based decision makers
- The Petersen Leadership Model, built around character, style, judgment, culture, and execution
- His latest book, The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow, and why optimism can be a leadership discipline
- His induction into The American College of Financial Services Hall of Fame

Jim also shares how he used AI as a creative tool to help organize and sharpen his leadership frameworks.

Learn more about Jim Petersen, PhD at: https://jlpeterseninc.com/

In this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Tori Martin, a Florida native now based in Texas and Nashville, recording with LuckySky Music. Known for her neo-traditional country sound and “glam cowgirl” style, Tori blends classic country influences with her own modern storytelling voice.

In this conversation, they cover:
- Her early days singing in Texas Opry houses and landing her first paid gigs at 14
- The influence of Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and the classic country greats
- The story behind her Texas No. 1 single “Abilene” and the Laredo-inspired ballad “Last Night in Laredo”
- Her single “Lucky,” which reached No. 42 on the Billboard Indicator chart, and the message of taking a chance on yourself

Follow Tori Martin and stream her music:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetorimartin/

If you love real-deal country music and honest songwriting, this episode is for you.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Mark Bollman IV, Founder and CEO of Ball and Buck. Mark started the company in his fraternity house at Babson College in 2008 after getting tired of low-quality products that didn’t hold up. Inspired by years of hunting and time in the field with his father and grandfather, he built a brand focused on durability, craftsmanship, and American manufacturing.

In this conversation, they discuss:
- Why Ball and Buck tests products in harsh outdoor conditions before they ever reach the store
- The “farm-to-table” approach to sourcing fabrics, leather, thread, and hardware
- Partnering with Horween Leather and other heritage makers
- Building clothing designed to improve with age and be passed down
- Expanding from pop-ups to flagship retail stores across the country

Mark also explains why they refuse to chase trends or release “filler” products—every item has to be the best in its category before it makes the cut.

Learn more at: https://ballandbuck.com

#BallandBuck #MadeInUSA #Menswear #AmericanManufacturing #Entrepreneurship

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with John J. Clendening, Founding Principal of Clients First Marketing & Communications, and partner Jeff Baum. Together, they’ve led global marketing and communications teams for seven Fortune 500 companies and are now launching “Team DFW,” a grassroots initiative designed to help small businesses turn World Cup traffic into lasting customer growth.

They discuss:
- Why bars, restaurants, and retail centers are positioned to benefit most
- Creative pre‑World Cup ideas like country‑themed weeks (think Argentina Week with food, wine, and music)
- How organized watch parties can drive serious foot traffic
- Using PR, local influencers, and digital marketing to convert one‑time visitors into repeat customers

With only a fraction of the projected 3.8 million visitors attending matches in person, most fans will be looking for places to gather and watch. This conversation breaks down how to prepare now.

Learn more: https://www.clientsfirstmc.com

Brady Zeck is the founder of Trucks for Pups, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rescuing and transporting dogs in need while supporting animal welfare groups across DFW and beyond. What began as a simple idea at school has grown into a network of more than 300 volunteers providing free labor, logistics, donations, and funding to partner organizations.

In this episode, Brady shares:
- How Trucks for Pups sources and transports donated supplies for local rescues
- Why transportation is often the biggest obstacle for animal organizations
- What he learned managing traffic at a spay and neuter clinic that served 800+ cars in one day
- The $100,000 fundraising goal to support 20 different charities

To learn more or donate, visit: https://trucksforpups.org

This is a powerful conversation about leadership, service, and seeing a need—and deciding to act on it.

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO of Barberino's, a luxury Italian barbershop brand blending old-world Italian grooming traditions with modern styling. With locations across Italy, New York, Seoul, and now Dallas through Stanley Korshak, Barberino’s is redefining how men approach self-care.\

In this conversation, you’ll learn: 
- How men’s grooming trends have shifted from rugged beards back to the clean-shaven look 
- The family immigration story that inspired the name Barberino’s 
- Why Italian craftsmanship and Mediterranean ingredients set the brand apart 
- The philosophy of "tutti insieme" and what it means for modern men’s style and presence

Learn more about Barberino’s at: https://barberinosworld.com

If you care about style, confidence, and upgrading your daily routine, this episode is for you.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff welcomes Shane Walker, Stylist to the Stars, along with event chairs Reagan Pace and Sheridan Reeder, to talk about the 38th Annual Mad Hatters Tea benefiting A Woman’s Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Founded in 1989, the event supports the only garden in the United States designed for women, dedicated to women, and funded by the work of women.

In this episode, we discuss:
• This year’s theme, “The Art of the Garden,” inspired by major art movements from the Renaissance to Pop Art
• The six (plus one) hat categories, including Masters of the Renaissance, Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art
• What it takes to design an award-winning, runway-worthy hat
• How the luncheon helps fund the garden’s $250,000 annual maintenance and new installations

The 38th Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea takes place Friday, April 24, 2026.

Learn more or get tickets at: http://www.wcdabg.org/

Follow along on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadHattersTeaLuncheon

If you love fashion, art, and supporting meaningful causes in your community, this is one Dallas tradition you don’t want to miss.

Lorraine Friedman, Incoming Executive Director of the Southwest Jewish Congress, joins Jeff Crilley to share how the organization is building bridges across North Texas through education, empowerment, and recognition of community leaders. With a mission centered on action and impact, Southwest Jewish Congress has become a catalyst for collaboration across cultures and faiths.

In this episode, we discuss: 
- The “three E” mission: educate, empower, and elevate 
- The Building Bridges Grant Initiative supporting more than 40 organizations 
- The Texas Sized Event honoring 13 transformative Dallas leaders 
- Legislative and community impact, including the American Indian Heritage Day Act

Learn more about the Southwest Jewish Congress and the Texas Sized Event at: https://swjc.org

If you care about interfaith dialogue, civic leadership, and celebrating changemakers in Dallas, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Chris LaTurno, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas. Since 1954, JA Dallas has been inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy through hands-on programs in financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship.

In this conversation, you’ll learn: 
• How JA’s BizTown and Finance Park simulations give students real-world money and business experience 
• Why teaching personal finance in middle school can change a child’s future 
• The role of 3,000+ corporate volunteers in mentoring and investing in local students 
• How the Dallas Business Hall of Fame raises over $1 million annually to fund student success

Learn more about Junior Achievement of Dallas at: https://jadallas.org

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO of Barberino's, a luxury Italian barbershop brand blending old-world Italian grooming traditions with modern styling. With locations across Italy, New York, Seoul, and now Dallas through Stanley Korshak, Barberino’s is redefining how men approach self-care.

In this conversation, you’ll learn: 
- How men’s grooming trends have shifted from rugged beards back to the clean-shaven look 
- The family immigration story that inspired the name Barberino’s 
- Why Italian craftsmanship and Mediterranean ingredients set the brand apart 
- The philosophy of "tutti insieme" and what it means for modern men’s style and presence

Learn more about Barberino’s at: https://barberinosworld.com

If you care about style, confidence, and upgrading your daily routine, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Tamara Velsher, President and CEO of the U.S. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. After moving to the U.S. in the early 2000s, Tamara saw how different nationalities often lived and worked in isolation. 
She founded the Chamber to bring cultures together, support business growth, and create a stronger, more connected multicultural community.

In this conversation, we discuss: 
• What it’s like having family members on the front lines in Ukraine 
• Why she launched the U.S. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce 
• The power of multicultural networking and business support 
• The first-ever Ukrainian Festival in Texas and what attendees can expect

Learn more about the Chamber, become a member, or support the upcoming festival at: https://www.uccusa.org

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, culture, and strength through unity.

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Tia Ellis, Founder & CEO of Wildflower Insight, a retail strategist who has helped founders sell over $200 million worth of products across all 50 states. After working on the broker side of the industry, Tia now teaches CPG founders how to pitch retail buyers themselves and land purchase orders—without relying on middlemen.

In this conversation, we cover: 
- The “Golden Retail Rule” and why most founders scale too fast 
- What retail buyers are really deciding in the first 2 minutes of a meeting 
- The 3 different pitches every founder must master (customer, investor, and retail buyer) 
- Common mistakes that instantly hurt your chances in buyer meetings

If you’re a product-based founder looking to break into major retail, this episode is your roadmap from pitch to PO.

Learn more about Tia Ellis and Wildflower Insight: https://www.wildflowerinsight.com

#RetailStrategy #CPGFounder #Entrepreneurship #Walmart #PurchaseOrders

In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Bob Hopkins, Retired University Professor and Philanthropist, to explore the changing landscape of education. Bob has spent decades teaching at universities and leading philanthropic initiatives, and he shares candid insights about AI-generated assignments, declining classroom dialogue, and why some students are afraid to express their opinions.

In this conversation, they discuss: - How AI is reshaping critical thinking in colleges and universities - Why open debate in the classroom is disappearing - The enrollment decline in higher education and the shift toward trade careers - PAVE (Philanthropy and Volunteerism in Education), Bob’s program teaching students the power of giving

Bob also shares how his PAVE initiative has inspired young people to raise millions of dollars for global causes—proving that teaching generosity and responsibility can transform families and communities.

Learn more about Bob Hopkins and his work at: https://philanthropyunited.org

#Education #ArtificialIntelligence #CriticalThinking #Philanthropy #PAVE

Key Topics

• Faith and calling
• Christian evangelism
• Radio and TV ministry
• Women in the Bible
• She Is Possible book
• Overcoming fear through faith
• King David and Esther
• Live events and conferences

Episode Timestamps

• 01:34 - Answering the Call to Ministry
• 02:26 - From Women’s Director to Radio Host
• 03:35 - The Leap from Radio to Television
• 04:40 - Starting on Golden Eagle Broadcasting
• 05:18 - A Shift Toward Live Evangelism
• 06:40 - The Heart Behind "She Is Possible"
• 09:05 - Lessons from King David and Esther
• 10:45 - A Message for Those Battling Fear

Key Topics

• impostor syndrome
• overcoming fear
• authentic leadership
• childhood trauma and growth
• self-talk and mindset
• embracing failure
• vulnerability in leadership

Episode Timestamps

• 02:01 - Tyler’s Childhood Tragedy and Choosing Intensity
• 03:45 - Turning Pain Into Purpose Through Storytelling
• 06:30 - The Four Walls We Build Around Our Insecurities
• 10:15 - How Limiting Beliefs Form Between Ages 10–14
• 12:30 - The Power of Vulnerability and Connection
• 15:45 - A Practical Exercise to Reframe Negative Self-Talk
• 18:20 - Impostor Syndrome Across Generations in the Workplace
• 21:15 - Why Failure Fuels Future Success
• 23:15 - Final Message: You’re Not Alone in Your Fear

Key Topics

• HEART framework (Hope, Empowerment, Accountability, Results, Trust)
• Leadership alignment and burnout
• Mini-shifts for transformation
• Military reintegration and family reunification
• Veteran suicide prevention
• VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity)
• Values-based leadership
• Generational communication in the workplace

Episode Timestamps

• 01:53 - Hanna Bauer’s Terminal Diagnosis at Age Four
• 03:19 - The HEART Framework: From Hope to Trust
• 04:08 - Introducing HEARTnomics: Profits and People Can Coexist
• 06:00 - Veronica Sites on Reuniting Warriors and Families
• 07:55 - Understanding VUCA and the Chaos of Transition
• 09:34 - Helping CEOs Align Purpose and Performance
• 10:22 - Bridging the Generational Gap at Work
• 14:27 - 77% Burnout Rate and Leading Through Uncertainty
• 15:27 - From Pain Comes Purpose: Final Thoughts on Transformation

Key Topics

• Custom men’s fashion
• Entrepreneurial journey
• Dressing for success
• Luxury fabrics and suiting
• Personal branding and image
• Celebrity styling
• Confidence and first impressions

Episode Timestamps

• 01:20 - When Did Chey Know He Had Style?
• 02:30 - Selling Ties from His Corporate Cubicle
• 04:40 - Taking a Leap of Faith in 2016
• 05:45 - The Viral ‘Dubai in North Philly’ Prom Story
• 08:00 - Luxury Fabrics: From Super 110s to Super 200s
• 09:30 - Why First Impressions Still Matter
• 10:45 - How to Dress Down Without Losing Style
• 11:45 - Who Should Book a Consultation with Styles by Chey?

Key Topics

• faith and service
• christian parenting
• legacy and impact
• entrepreneurship and ministry
• authentic leadership
• prayer and unity

Episode Timestamps

• 01:33 - A Childhood Shaped by Service
• 02:48 - Serving Hospice Patients with Her Mother
• 04:05 - Called to Reach Anyone Willing to Listen
• 05:00 - Humility in the Spotlight
• 05:30 - The Legacy She Wants to Leave Her Children
• 07:00 - Parenting with Firmness and Fun
• 08:50 - Why Kids Need to Learn from Mistakes
• 10:28 - Finding Peace and Unity in Uncertain Times

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with fast-rising music artist and U.S. Soccer C licensed coach Amiko, a dynamic talent blending music, sport, fashion, and beauty into one powerful brand. 

She discusses her single “Principle of Play,” inspired by her soccer coaching certification and produced alongside Grammy-winning hitmaker Carlos Battey, and explains how the song became a love letter to both the game and to life itself. 

The conversation also highlights Futsoul, her Dallas-based youth soccer initiative designed to “put the soul back into youth soccer” through community-centered programming. 

With the FIFA World Cup coming to Dallas, Amiko reflects on her mission to serve as an ambassador who unites music and soccer on a global stage.

Key topics:
- Principle of Play single
- Collaboration with Carlos Battey
- U.S. Soccer C License certification
- Futsoul youth soccer program
- Music and soccer crossover
- FIFA World Cup Dallas
- Personal branding as a one-name artist

Timestamped highlights:
- 00:00 — Meet Amiko: A One-Name Artist With a Global Story
- 00:26 — The Meaning Behind the Name “Amiko”
- 01:25 — From Poet to Professional Recording Artist
- 02:19 — The Story Behind “Principle of Play”
- 03:36 — Working With Grammy-Winning Producer Carlos Battey
- 04:20 — Launching Futsoul to Transform Youth Soccer
- 05:46 — A Hat Trick Life: Music, Soccer, and Broadcasting
- 06:58 — A Vision for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff welcomes Jennifer Kimble-McCauley, Area Managing Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Lyndzie Stroble, REALTOR with Three Vine Group, to discuss the St. Jude Dream Home Showplace Community in Southlake. The unique fundraiser brings together five premier custom builders in Carillon Parc to showcase luxury homes while raising a collective $1 million for St. Jude’s lifesaving mission. Jennifer explains how St. Jude not only treats children with catastrophic illnesses at no cost to families, but also freely shares research protocols that have helped raise childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to more than 80% since 1962. Lyndzie shares the heart behind the project, including the inspiring story of Clayton, a St. Jude patient and cancer survivor honored through the build. Together, they highlight how community support, home tours, and donations directly impact families who never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

Key topics:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital mission
- Dream Home Showplace Community
- Carillon Parc Southlake
- Childhood cancer research
- Fundraising goal of $1 million
- Luxury custom home builders
- Clayton’s survivor story
- No-cost treatment for families

Timestamped highlights:
- 01:09 — St. Jude’s mission and global research impact
- 02:16 — Introducing the Dream Home Showplace concept
- 03:18 — Five premier builders unite for a cause
- 04:12 — Homes designed with special tributes to St. Jude patients
- 04:33 — Clayton’s inspiring cancer survivor story
- 05:13 — The resiliency of St. Jude families
- 06:02 — A bold $1 million fundraising goal
- 06:23 — How to tour the homes and donate
- 07:15 — Why families never receive a bill at St. Jude

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Dan Demsky, co-founder and CEO of Unbound Merino, a $40 million global e-commerce apparel brand built for modern travelers. Dan shares how he went from running a video production company out of his mom’s basement to launching a direct-to-consumer clothing company designed to help customers “pack less, experience more.” He explains the power of merino wool—odor resistant, temperature regulating, and wrinkle resistant—and how designing products for his own lifestyle led to a fiercely loyal global customer base. Dan also opens up about raising $400,000 in a crowdfunding launch, navigating U.S. tariffs by rapidly expanding operations to Dallas, and surviving the travel shutdown during COVID. Throughout the conversation, he offers candid advice on entrepreneurship, resilience, and why optimism may be a founder’s greatest competitive advantage.

Key topics:
- Entrepreneurship
- E-commerce growth
- Merino wool apparel
- Crowdfunding success
- Product design philosophy
- Tariffs and business adaptation
- Resilience in business
- Remote work lifestyle

Timestamped highlights:
- 01:00 — Dan Demsky on Being "Unemployable"
- 02:00 — From Video Production Side Hustle to First Company
- 03:30 — Why He Left Services to Build a Product Business
- 12:35 — Designing the Ultralight Travel Backpack
- 15:45 — Why Committees Can Ruin Great Ideas
- 18:45 — The $400,000 Crowdfunding Breakthrough
- 22:30 — Adapting to U.S. Tariffs and Expanding to Dallas
- 26:00 — Surviving COVID as a Travel Brand
- 28:45 — Final Advice: Optimism and Stoicism in Entrepreneurship

Key topics:
- business law
- tax strategy
- mergers and acquisitions
- business exit planning
- commercial litigation
- estate planning
- cybersecurity and data privacy
- succession planning

Timestamped highlights:
- 02:15 — A Three-Generation Law Firm Story
- 03:46 — "Hard Stuff That Has a Big Impact for Good People"
- 04:50 — Four Core Practice Areas Explained
- 05:20 — Negotiating with Hackers: Cybersecurity Incident Response
- 06:15 — Introducing the "Growth to Exit" Model
- 07:25 — The Silver Tsunami and Business Sales
- 07:55 — Selling a Business Is Like Selling a House
- 09:00 — Resolving a 20-Year Family Litigation Case
- 09:40 — Helping Entrepreneurs Shift from Operator to Seller Mindset

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, I sit down with Brandy and Joachim Rangel, the husband and wife team behind Brandy Rangel Ministries in Seguin, Texas.

Brandy’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. As a child, she was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and told she would never walk again. Later, doctors said she would not live past 26 due to a heart defect. She recently turned 50.

She is not just surviving. She is thriving.

Today, Brandy and Joachim lead a nonprofit ministry focused on reaching those who feel lost, forgotten, or trapped in cycles of abuse. They work with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, offering spiritual guidance, practical support, and when needed, connecting people to additional resources.

What struck me most was this, Brandy does not speak from theory. She is a survivor of abuse herself and spent seven years in counseling to ensure she was fully restored before stepping into ministry to help others. One of her favorite success stories involves helping a woman safely leave an abusive marriage and rebuild her life. That is impact.

Joachim’s steady support and shared passion for serving the community make this a true partnership. Together, they are committed to helping people understand their identity, their worth, and their purpose.

If you or someone you know feels lost, overwhelmed, or in need of support, this conversation is powerful and hope filled.

Watch the full episode: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B8PILyANxA

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Matt Maresch of Ashbury Boutique Wealth Management to talk about why the decision of when to take Social Security should be built around a personalized income and expense plan, not generic advice from a neighbor or a headline.

Matt explains how risk tolerance directly shapes investment strategy, and why true diversification means more than just spreading money across a few accounts. It means building multiple solutions designed to help weather market volatility while keeping long term goals in focus.

We also discuss creative pension strategies and how thoughtful planning can dramatically change someone’s retirement outlook. Matt shares a powerful real life client story that shows what is possible when you align income planning, asset allocation, and long term care considerations under one comprehensive strategy.

Beyond retirement income, we talk about estate planning and multigenerational wealth. A strong plan does more than protect one individual. It can create stability and opportunity for an entire family.

If you are thinking about retirement, caring for aging parents, or wanting to build a legacy for your children, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

Watch the full episode to learn how a personalized, family first approach can transform your financial future.

To learn more about Matt Maresch and his team, visit www.abbwm.com.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Raema Mauriello, founder of Gifty Gal, U.S. Navy veteran, author, and corporate gifting strategist. 

Known as the “Queen of Gifting,” Raema helps businesses build authentic relationships through thoughtful, strategic gifts that create real ROI. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• How corporate gifting can dramatically increase callbacks and close rates
• The $25 invitation that led to a $9 million contract
• Why personalization and excellence matter more than ever in sales
• How Raema’s military and ministry background shaped her business philosophy 

From her start making baby shower baskets to running a warehouse operation serving tech sales professionals across Dallas, Raema shares actionable insights for anyone looking to deepen client relationships and elevate their brand. 

Learn more: 
https://giftygal.co 

Instagram: 
https://instagram.com/gifty.gal

Jeff Crilley sits down with Neetu Rishi, CEO and founder of The Success Door, along with designer and former model Neha Goel. Neetu is an entrepreneur, corporate trainer, motivational speaker, personality development coach, mentor, and author who helps remodel lives through customized workshops and training. What started as a mission to help her daughter overcome self-doubt has evolved into a thriving academy that builds both models and role models. 

In this episode, we discuss: 
- Why mindset is the foundation of confidence on the runway and in life 
- How The Success Door helps students turn passion into purpose 
- Neha Goel's  journey from model to designer, including showcasing at Paris Fashion Week 
- The vision behind the annual “Fly Showcase” and this year’s theme, Artmosphere Learn more about The Success Door and upcoming events: https://thesuccessdoor.com/ 

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt—or dreamed of stepping into fashion, public speaking, or leadership—this conversation is for you.

He explains how culture and people—not just product—drove the partnership, and how the first year has brought expanded luxury brands, enhanced technology, and deeper community engagement. 

The conversation also highlights the importance of philanthropy, omnichannel retail, and creating a hospitality-driven experience where every customer is treated like a VIP. 

Key topics: Family-owned business, Luxury retail, Stanley Korshak acquisition, Customer experience and hospitality, Fashion buying and global trends, Philanthropy and community engagement, Omnichannel retail strategy

My next guest believes some of life’s hardest moments are actually heaven sent. Ann LeMaster is the author of Heaven Scent, and she’s here to share the powerful story behind that message. ✨

My next guest knows that journey firsthand. Amey Stark-Foust is an author with a powerful story about rediscovering your identity, reclaiming your voice, and learning that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. She’s a new friend, and I’m excited for you to hear her story.

The good news? That original blueprint is still there.

In this episode, Dr. Christi Campbell joins us in the studio to talk about healing from life’s injuries and rediscovering the person you were always meant to be. She shares powerful insights on how we can reconnect with our true selves and find our way back to the foundation God placed within each of us.

If you’ve ever felt lost or weighed down by life’s challenges, this conversation will inspire you to remember who you are at your core.

Today’s guest, Dr. Nina Rios Doria — high-performance coach, counselor, and my friend — is here to break down what it really takes to perform at your peak.

From fast food loaded with salt and fat to the world-famous Mediterranean diet, our nutrition choices directly affect our mood, energy, and overall mental well-being. And with so many Americans still dealing with post-Covid stress, anxiety, and economic pressure, this conversation couldn’t be more important.

Today’s guest, Amanda Ashcroft — nutritionist, mental health specialist, and author of The Brain Plate — joins us to break down the powerful connection between food and mood, and how simple changes to your diet can help boost your mental health.

My next guest has been working in AI long before it was trendy. Dan Sinawat is in the studio — he was into AI before it was cool.

Since then, he has led his congregation with immense impact and built a remarkable legacy in the pulpit. And now, he’s taking that leadership to a national stage—by running for Congress. Introducing Dr. Fredrick D. Haynes III.

But today, we’re talking about something different—because joining me are two powerhouses: world-renowned champ and Hall of Fame boxer Roy Jones Jr., and Dr. Cedric Brown. Together, they’ve opened what might just be the hottest new gym in Dallas right now.

To lead, you need people who believe in you and belief is built on influence. But influence doesn’t exist without credibility. It’s the foundation of every strong team, every loyal employee, and every lasting legacy.

That’s why I’m excited to welcome back Jeff Civillico to the studio. A Hall of Fame speaker, Las Vegas headliner, philanthropist, and a friend, Jeff understands what it truly means to lead with credibility and create meaningful influence.

Joining me in studio are two of its leaders: Nancy Daniels, COO of Hyosung Americas, and Lonnie Talbot, CEO of ATMIA, the international association for the ATM industry and its conferences.

So today, I brought in the perfect person to help tell that story. Julie Sparks is in the studio. She’s a mom and a dedicated volunteer with Chase’s Place, and she’s here to share why this organization means so much to families in our community.

Back then, the conversation centered around millennials. Today, it’s Gen Z—and the need for strong social skills and modern etiquette has never been greater.

She’s a protocol expert, author, speaker, and friend of the show. Please welcome Joy Weaver.

To talk about AI and everything shaping the future of business, my next guest is Mark Abrams founder of XP Flow

Bal Joshi is in the studio. He’s known as The Running Monk, and you’re about to hear his incredible story.

And my next guest belongs in that very exclusive category. Dan Clark is a member of the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for those whose impact and influence truly stand the test of time.

At Wayfinder Wealth, his team brings critical disciplines together under one roof, creating a coordinated, strategic approach to long-term financial success. Too often, CPAs, tax planners, wealth strategists, and attorneys operate in silos, rarely communicating with one another.

Steve joins us in the studio to explain why integrated planning isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

I’m grateful to have Andrew Wildrix in the studio today to help answer that. He’s the VP of Business Development for Intrusion.

GiveSendGo | Celebrating the end of war in Cambodia https://share.google/Y0By2FjmmobIhsD85

There are so many doctors who probably have no idea how many cocktails or pills their clients are on. Dr. Christi Campbell knows this very well. She spent 48 years as a family nurse practitioner.

My next guest is Brynlea Taylor Lee. She's an influencer. She's a philanthropist. And she's found her purpose. It's faith, family, and serving others.

That’s why I have Antoine Jordan in the studio today. He’s a speaker and communications coach.