Episode #5: Ken Blickenstaff, Titan Investment Management, LLC
Release Date: 06/18/2025
Episode #21: Shawna Lake, Deep End Talent Strategies
The Behind the Brand Podcast
When work throws you into the deep end, what happens next? In this episode of the Behind the Brand Podcast, Adam Hayes and Bob Paden sit down with Shawna Lake, Founder & Principal Consultant of Deep End Talent Strategies, to explore how one defining career moment led her to build a people-first HR consultancy that helps leaders navigate their biggest talent challenges. Shawna shares the powerful story behind the “deep end” name, from a suffocating corporate relocation ultimatum to a 20‑minute car ride that changed her life and launched her business. She unpacks what it...
info_outline
Episode #20: Nicole Beeman-Cadwallader, One in Five
The Behind the Brand Podcast
Youth mental health is in crisis, and Nicole Beeman-Cadwallader is determined to change how communities respond. In this episode of the Behind the Brand Podcast, Adam and Bob sit down with Nicole, Founder and CEO of One in Five, a nonprofit that helps teens design peer-based mental health supports that actually fit their world. Nicole shares her own high school mental health story and how that lived experience, combined with years of professional work, led her to ask a simple but powerful question: “What if youth designed the supports they need?” The answer became One in Five, a...
info_outline
Episode #19: Chris Lucas, Shaker
The Behind the Brand Podcast
In this episode of Behind the Brand, Adam and Bob sit down with Chris Lucas, CEO & CoFounder of Shaker, a modern real estate transaction management platform built to simplify the chaotic world behind buying and selling a home. Chris breaks down how Shaker acts like “Monday or Trello for real estate,” helping residential real estate teams streamline deal flow, automate communication, centralize documents, and give clients a clear timeline and portal for every step of the process. Chris shares how Shaker was born out of a frustrated realtor duct-taping multiple tools together, then...
info_outline
Episode #18: Mark McFatridge, Quade
The Behind the Brand Podcast
On this episode of Behind the Brand, Adam and Bob sit down with Mark McFatridge, Founder and CEO of Quade, an executive peer group designed for business owners and CEOs who are tired of leading alone. Mark shares how Quade was born from his own life-changing experience in a CEO peer group and why he built a model that puts the whole person, mind, body, and soul, at the center of every conversation. Mark takes listeners inside a Quade “circle,” where 8–10 CEOs meet monthly for half-day sessions to check in on life, tackle real challenges, and hold each other accountable for meaningful...
info_outline
Episode #17: Michael Hall, Trustworthy Financial Agency
The Behind the Brand Podcast
This episode of Behind the Brand Podcast features Michael Hall, Owner of Trustworthy Financial Agency, joining hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes for an authentic and revealing conversation. Michael opens up about his journey into entrepreneurship, the mission behind his agency, and the life experiences that shaped his approach to helping clients secure their financial futures. Listeners are treated to Michael’s warm, down-to-earth storytelling as he describes lessons learned from both personal setbacks and professional wins. He shares why trust and transparency are at the core of every client...
info_outline
Episode #16: Tony Reffeitt, Integrity Real Estate
The Behind the Brand Podcast
Join hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes as they sit down with Tony Reffeitt, President & Owner of Integrity Real Estate, in this engaging episode of Behind the Brand. Tony shares his inspirational journey from traveling the country as a gospel musician to building a respected real estate business rooted in central Indiana. Having started Integrity Real Estate in 2002, after years with larger brokerages, Tony opens up about the defining moments that motivated him to strike out on his own, prioritizing genuine client relationships and eliminating corporate overhead to serve his clients...
info_outline
Episode #15: Lauren Taylor, Holder Mattress
The Behind the Brand Podcast
In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Lauren Taylor, owner and president of Holder Mattress Company, a 77-year-old Indiana business known for its craftsmanship, integrity, and commitment to American manufacturing. As a third-generation leader, Lauren shares the remarkable story of a family-built brand that began after World War II and continues to handcraft mattresses in Kokomo, Indiana, with every stitch rooted in quality and care for their community. Lauren opens up about the challenges and triumphs of running a small manufacturing company in an...
info_outline
Episode #14: Zack Conner, Conner Insurance
The Behind the Brand Podcast
On this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Adam Hayes and Bob Paden sit down with Zack Conner, owner and partner at Conner Insurance, to uncover the story behind this third-generation family business. Zack shares how Connor Insurance began in 1949, founded by his grandfather, the remarkable Henry Clay Conner Jr.—a World War II veteran whose survival story in the Philippine jungles shaped both family and company history. Listeners will be captivated by Zack’s reflections on the journey from a small, local agency to a thriving firm with over 50 employees, seeing how family legacy, thoughtful...
info_outline
Episode #13: Barrett Johnson, JF Property Group
The Behind the Brand Podcast
Dive into this engaging episode of Behind the Brand, where hosts Adam Hayes and Bob Paden sit down with Barrett Johnson, the dynamic managing broker behind JF Property Group. Barrett shares his fascinating journey from aerospace manufacturing to real estate, opening up about the pivotal moment he chose entrepreneurship and never looked back. Listeners will discover how Barrett’s passion for connecting with people fuels his business approach and learn what sets JF Property Group apart—namely, a team-first mentality and an innovative, consumer-friendly commission structure that puts more...
info_outline
Episode #12: Nathan Nichols, Storie Co.
The Behind the Brand Podcast
Nathan Nichols, co-founder of Storie Co., joins Bob Paden and Adam Hayes for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurial grit, hospitality, and finding “riches in the niches.” Storie Co. is an Indianapolis-based firm that invests in, develops, and manages resort real estate throughout the Midwest, focusing on properties that immerse guests in the outdoors and local experiences. Nathan shares how his unconventional journey—from busser to asset manager for a $1.5 billion portfolio—shaped his unique approach to hospitality and business building. Listeners will discover how Storie Co....
info_outlineIn this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Ken Blickenstaff, founder of Titan Investment Management, for a candid conversation about breaking the mold in the world of investment advising1. Ken shares his journey from a traditional investment firm in Chicago to launching Titan in Central Indiana, fueled by a desire for independence and a drive to offer truly differentiated solutions for clients who are tired of the “set it and forget it” mentality so common in the broker-dealer world1.
Ken pulls back the curtain on how Titan’s hands-on, in-house investment approach stands apart from the mutual fund-heavy strategies of larger firms. He explains why Titan’s team “eats their own cooking”—investing right alongside their clients—and how their compensation is directly tied to client success, not hidden fees or kickbacks1. The discussion dives into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the importance of transparency, and why small business owners in particular resonate with Titan’s no-nonsense, ownership-driven philosophy1.
Listeners will also get Ken’s take on the current economic landscape, including inflation, housing market challenges, and the impact of AI on both Wall Street and Main Street. Whether you’re a business owner, investor, or just curious about what’s really happening behind the scenes in finance, this episode delivers practical insights, a few laughs, and a fresh perspective on how to take charge of your financial future.