Michelle Baggs - Frontline Fenix (Serving those who served us)
Release Date: 02/02/2026
Leadership, Reinvention & the Gold Nugget Mindset | How to Win in the Age of AI
Beyond Self-Made
Feeling stuck in your career? Worried about AI replacing jobs? In this powerful episode, Michael Greenwalt reveals the leadership mindset, reinvention strategies, and daily habits that can transform your future. In this solo episode of the Beyond Self Made Podcast, Michael Greenwalt shares a masterclass on leadership, career growth, resilience, and adapting in the age of AI. Drawing from experience across military service, fire leadership, banking, entrepreneurship, and consulting, Michael breaks down the habits and mindset shifts that separate those who stagnate from those who rise. You’ll...
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AI Is Moving Faster Than Humanity - Why Governance Is the Only Way Forward - with Tim Kuglin
Beyond Self-Made
What if the biggest risk with artificial intelligence isn’t what it can do, but who (or what) is controlling it? In this episode of Beyond Self-Made, Michael Greenwalt sits down with experimental engineer and AI pioneer Tim Kuglin; someone who isn’t just using AI, but actively building the systems that will govern it. From early satellite communications and video conferencing innovation to today’s cutting-edge work in AI governance through the RQLab and Zipr AI, Tim shares a rare inside look at what’s actually happening behind the scenes of the AI revolution. This conversation goes far...
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Steve Wideman: Taking empathy, sales skills, and relationships to build disruptive technology
Beyond Self-Made
Most entrepreneurs chase ideas: they rarely get the courage to bet on themselves. Steve Wideman, CEO of Ionite, did just that by leaving behind a decades-long career in enterprise sales to transform an industry with speed, simplicity, and relentless empathy. His journey from hospitality in Houston to leading a tech startup is a masterclass in daring to rewrite your own story, and proving that no background should limit your impact. In this episode, Steve shares how a deep-rooted fraternity bond and his unwavering confidence helped him navigate the chaos of startup life. You'll discover: the...
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Lead Your Time: 3 Practical Tools and 1 Life Hack to Elevate Your Life
Beyond Self-Made
Technical issues prevented me from providing the normal interview style podcast, but I promised you all an episode a week. So here I am, in my pilot solo episode. I've been getting asked a lot of questions about how I found the time to write a book, or start a podcast, or start an AI company, or volunteer with a public benefit AI company. It's assumed that I'm caught in the toxic hustle culture. In this episode, I share how I actually have more time to be present with family and things that are important to me than I ever have before. I provide 3 steps to...
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Andrew Trujillo: Building Tech Products to Impact Efficiency
Beyond Self-Made
Andrew Trujillo is the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of ionite, a technology company that is disrupting app integration at the Enterprise level, with a goal of expanding the technology to all users. Andy is a former Director at American Express, and has been involved with many other highly visible entities. We talk about old times, military service, and his path to becoming a cofounder.
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Mike Kennedy: A chaotic childhood turned into a life of purpose
Beyond Self-Made
Michael Kennedy shares his compelling story: from losing his mother as a young child, to struggling with the law and chaos, to finding new beginnings out west. He has transformed his life into one of purpose; becoming a husband and father, competing in mixed martial arts, and winning awards as an actor. #personalgrowth #resilience #motivation #lifelessons #inspiration #martialarts #mma #mmafighter #acting
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Ruben Garcia: Third Generation Family Legacy
Beyond Self-Made
Michael and Ruben talk about old times, the highs and lows of parenting, ambition, and the Garcia family legacy: Lafonda. Decades of taking care of people and building community. We can all learn from their example of genuinely taking care of people.
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Lily Finegan and Michael talk about life, and Michael's early journey in the military and fire service
Beyond Self-Made
Lily Finegan is a senior at Northern Arizona University. In this episode, we talk about her surprising trip to Africa, her ambitions to get a "big girl" job, and Michael's early journey in the military and fire service.
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Morgan Baggs: Veteran, Software Engineer, Gym Owner, Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and Former Professional Blackjack Player
Beyond Self-Made
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Kim Robinson: A Purposeful Life Serving Others
Beyond Self-Made
Kim Robinson has lived experience. Growing up in a "shotgun house", to the military, to entrepreneurship and service to her community, Kim embodies what it means to live a purposeful life. All without fanfare or self promotion. Join us for a conversation rooted in humanity.
info_outlineIn our second episode of rising from the ashes, Michael sits down with Michelle Baggs from Frontline Fenix, for a grounded and honest conversation about resilience, and the unseen weight many people carry while still showing up for others.
Michelle shares her personal journey, the moments that shaped her perspective, and what she has learned about navigating responsibility, identity, and growth when life doesn't follow a clean or predictable script. Together, they explore what it really means to lead with integrity, how lived experience changes the way we show up for people, and why strength is often quieter than we expect.
This conversation isn't about chasing titles or pretending to have it all figured out. It's about doing the work, asking better questions, and understanding that none of us are truly self-made.
If you've ever wrestled with purpose, pressure, or the gap between who you are and who you're becoming, this episode will resonate.
In this episode we discuss:
- Leadership shaped by lived experience
- Navigating responsibility without losing yourself
- The unseen challenges behind "doing well"
- Why growth often comes through discomfort and reflection
- What it means to lead with empathy and accountability
This episode is for:
- Leaders at any stage
- People carrying responsibility others don't see
- Anyone rethinking success, identity, or purpose
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