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From Weed Ponds to Kingdom Purpose

Successfully Unsuccessful

Release Date: 06/10/2025

From Weed Ponds to Kingdom Purpose show art From Weed Ponds to Kingdom Purpose

Successfully Unsuccessful

As business owners and leaders, we’re often laser-focused on metrics—revenue, growth, headcount, scale. But every now and then, I get the privilege of having a conversation that shakes those definitions of success to the core. That’s exactly what happened in this episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, when I sat down with my good friend and CBMC peer, Connor Pichet. Connor’s the founder of Scuba Weed Control, a company that started as a scrappy college side hustle and has grown into a multi-location operation cleaning lakes and ponds across Minnesota. What struck me wasn’t just how...

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Built to Rise: Redefining Success Through Faith and Leadership show art Built to Rise: Redefining Success Through Faith and Leadership

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In this episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, I sat down with my good friend Eric Robinson, co-owner of Rise Realty, for an honest and refreshing conversation that went far beyond real estate. From his early years in Wisconsin to his journey through car sales and eventually into real estate, Eric shares the transformative moments that shaped both his professional and personal life. We explore the deep motivation behind founding Rise Realty—not as a profit engine, but as a community built on the right people, structure, and support. Eric unpacks how this model has allowed agents to thrive in...

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Dad Awesome vs. Dad Angry: Leading with Legacy show art Dad Awesome vs. Dad Angry: Leading with Legacy

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What a joy it was to welcome Jeff Zaugg, founder of Dad Awesome, to the Successfully Unsuccessful podcast. From the moment we hit record, Jeff brought his signature high-energy presence and deep insights into what it means to be a father who shows up with intentionality and heart. His journey from being a reluctant kids' ministry leader to launching a podcast that has released 375 episodes and mobilized over a thousand men through events like Fathers for the Fatherless is a powerful testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. We unpacked his transition into full-time ministry, the...

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From Comfort to Calling: Jake Howes' Leap of Faith show art From Comfort to Calling: Jake Howes' Leap of Faith

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What a powerful conversation with Jake Howes—entrepreneur, founder of Pioneer Golf Company, and a man on fire for purpose. I’ve had a front-row seat to watch Jake’s transformation from a corporate guy in the golf simulator industry to a bold, faith-driven founder ready to shake up the game. Jake's journey started with a dissatisfaction in his W-2 life, but what set him apart was his proactive approach. From proposing an innovative national video marketing campaign at his old job to boldly stepping out and launching his own company months ahead of schedule, Jake is living proof that when...

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Exclaim Jesus: Branding, Belief & Bold Purpose show art Exclaim Jesus: Branding, Belief & Bold Purpose

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On this episode of the Successfully Unsuccessful podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nash Faulk, a man whose journey from a non-believing, basketball-obsessed kid to a faith-filled entrepreneur is both raw and inspiring. We talked through his early years marked by dysfunction at home and a singular focus on basketball, which ultimately gave way to a winding road of self-discovery, professional experimentation, and deep spiritual transformation. Nash shared how his initial years in sales and tech eventually led him to question the purpose of it all, sparking a spiritual hunger that...

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Grace Over Grind: Redefining Success Through Surrender show art Grace Over Grind: Redefining Success Through Surrender

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Jim Walczak—an incredibly resilient, faith-filled man who’s navigated intense challenges, transformation, and wild success in the world of sales. What struck me most was his openness about the journey from a works-based faith to one rooted in grace, and how that revelation transformed not only his relationship with God but also the way he parents, mentors, and lives every day. Jim reminded me how critical it is to simplify our understanding of Jesus—how grace, not performance, is the foundation—and how...

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Excellence Over Success: Leading with Eternal Purpose show art Excellence Over Success: Leading with Eternal Purpose

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I had the chance to sit down with my friend Alex Wilson, a man I deeply respect and admire, for this powerful episode. Alex is a husband, father of three boys, and a Chick-fil-A owner/operator of two thriving locations. But behind the accolades and business success is a story of perseverance, obedience, and faith. We reflected on the early days—our time in a peer advisory group together, his unique journey from consulting to fast food, and how God used seemingly unrelated experiences to prepare him for this season. His path wasn't linear, but it was divinely ordered. Alex's heart for...

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Belief, Business & Legacy: Leading with Purpose show art Belief, Business & Legacy: Leading with Purpose

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As business owners and executives, we often measure success in numbers—profit margins, revenue growth, and market share. But what if true success isn’t just about financial gain? What if it’s about something much deeper—about faith, about purpose, about how we steward the opportunities and gifts we’ve been given? In this episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, my co-host Chris Baird and I explore the foundation of the BEAST framework: belief. Because belief is what shapes everything—our leadership, our businesses, our relationships, and ultimately, our legacy. One of the most...

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From Success to Surrender: Leading with Faith & Purpose show art From Success to Surrender: Leading with Faith & Purpose

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In this episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, I sit down with my good friend Skip Johnson to unpack his incredible journey from building a billion-dollar wealth management firm to discovering what true success really means. Skip shares openly about his drive for achievement, the identity struggles that came with it, and the moment he realized that outward success wasn’t bringing the fulfillment he had hoped for. We talk about how he transitioned from chasing accolades to focusing on integration—blending faith, business, and family in a way that honors what matters most. Skip gets real...

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Redefining Success: From Ambition to Calling show art Redefining Success: From Ambition to Calling

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In this milestone 40th episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, we take a different approach as I sit down with my co-host and producer, Chris Barrett. We reflect on our shared journey, the impact of radical transformation through faith, and the power of walking the path together rather than alone. Success, as defined by the world, often revolves around financial milestones and personal achievements. However, in this conversation, we reframe the concept of success through a faith-based lens, exploring how true fulfillment comes from aligning our pursuits with God’s definition of success rather...

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More Episodes

As business owners and leaders, we’re often laser-focused on metrics—revenue, growth, headcount, scale. But every now and then, I get the privilege of having a conversation that shakes those definitions of success to the core. That’s exactly what happened in this episode of Successfully Unsuccessful, when I sat down with my good friend and CBMC peer, Connor Pichet. Connor’s the founder of Scuba Weed Control, a company that started as a scrappy college side hustle and has grown into a multi-location operation cleaning lakes and ponds across Minnesota. What struck me wasn’t just how he’s scaled a niche service—it’s how he’s done it while raising four kids, building a team from the ground up, and learning to lead with vision, faith, and intentionality.

But the real gold of our conversation was what you won’t find on a P&L. Connor opened up about a transformative moment in his life—a late-night conversation with his cousin that led to a powerful encounter with God. It was raw, it was real, and it was the start of something eternal. He wasn’t in a church pew or a boardroom; he was in the middle of a personal storm, and yet God showed up with clarity, comfort, and conviction. That moment shifted everything: how he leads his company, how he loves his family, and how he sees success. And if you’ve ever wrestled with burnout, identity, or whether you’re building something that really matters, Connor’s story will meet you right there.