curtmaier mixdown
The Jason Cavness Experience
In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Curt Maier. A U.S. Military Veteran, nuclear submarine reactor operator, engineer, and now M&A focused business leader who buys, builds, and transforms companies using a systems-driven mindset forged under extreme pressure. Curt shares what it was really like working on nuclear submarine reactors, how the Navy shaped his discipline and problem-solving, and why the engineering habits he learned underwater still guide every business decision he makes today. Jason and Curt dive into the lessons from nuclear operations that...
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Financial Healing, Credit, and Closing the Wealth Gap with Tierrá Bonds
The Jason Cavness Experience
In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Tierrá Bonds, Founder & CEO of Take Charge Credit Consulting. To dig into the financial realities so many people quietly struggle with credit, debt, generational trauma, and why the racial wealth gap continues to grow in the U.S. Tierrá breaks down her journey from her early struggles with credit to becoming one of the leading trauma-informed financial coaches working with individuals, nonprofits, and government agencies across Washington State. She shares how childhood experiences shape our relationship with...
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Andrea Jordan — Creativity, Courage, and Building Human-Centered AI
The Jason Cavness Experience
Andrea Jordan — Creativity, Courage, and Building Human-Centered AI Episode Summary: In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Andrea Jordan, Founder & CEO of Empathium, an AI-powered platform focused on helping people strengthen emotional intelligence, communication, and connection through role-play, self-awareness tools, and human-centered design. Andrea shares her journey as a parent, founder, and creative problem-solver and the unique path that led her from writing and imagination-filled childhood days to becoming a leader in Seattle’s fast-growing AI...
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Eleanor Knight: From Kayaking the World’s Toughest Rivers to UW Law at 19
The Jason Cavness Experience
Eleanor Knight: From Kayaking the World’s Toughest Rivers to UW Law at 19 In this episode, Jason Cavness talks with Eleanor Knight, a world-class whitewater kayaker, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be law student at the University of Washington. From running her first summer camp at 11, to building a swim school at 15, to earning a bronze medal on the world stage Eleanor’s story is one of grit, curiosity, and relentless focus. She shares what extreme kayaking taught her about fear, leadership, and discipline and how those same lessons drive her toward a future in business and law. About...
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Building a Legacy & Laughter with Blue — Comedy, Community, and Authentic Leadership
The Jason Cavness Experience
In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, host Jason Cavness sits down with Daniel Blue a comedian, community leader, and banker whose humor and heart have made an impact well beyond the stage. Blue shares his journey from comedy clubs to community boards, reflecting on how laughter, mentorship, and service have shaped his purpose. Listeners will walk away inspired to lead with authenticity, give back with intention, and never lose their sense of humor along the way. About the Guest: Daniel Blue is a Seattle-based comedian and community advocate whose work bridges entertainment,...
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The Path Forward: Transforming Lives and Communities with Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle
The Jason Cavness Experience
The Path Forward: Transforming Lives and Communities with Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle Episode Summary: In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, host Jason Cavness talks with Andrea Suarez, founder of We Heart Seattle, a volunteer-powered organization leading a grassroots effort to address homelessness through community engagement, cleanup operations, and direct outreach. Andrea shares her journey from a successful corporate career to founding a movement that mobilizes thousands of volunteers, fosters human connection, and takes action where bureaucracy often stalls. She opens up...
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Innovative Entrepreneurship and Marketing: Insights with Taylor Rae
The Jason Cavness Experience
Innovative Entrepreneurship and AI Trends: Insights with Taylor Rae In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, host Jason Cavness sits down with Taylor Rae. A dynamic entrepreneur, marketer, and founder of multiple ventures including Rae Enterprise and The Success Club App. Taylor shares her journey from college student to business leader, diving deep into geofencing, programmatic display advertising, and building an app that connects and empowers entrepreneurs. Jason and Taylor explore the intersection of AI, marketing, and entrepreneurship, discussing how data and creativity...
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From the Army to AI: Building CavnessHR and Bridging Tech Between the U.S. and Vietnam
The Jason Cavness Experience
In this special solo episode, Jason Cavness shares the full story behind his journey — from dropping out of high school to serving 25 years in the U.S. Army, and ultimately becoming a founder building an AI-powered HR platform for small businesses. Jason walks through the lessons that shaped him as a leader, the transition from military life to entrepreneurship, and the creation of CavnessHR — a company built to save time and money for businesses with 49 or fewer employees through automation and a dedicated HR Business Partner. He also explores how his partnerships with TechBank and Earth...
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Pizza, Robots, and Kindness — How Lee Kindell Turned MOTO Pizza Into a Tech-Fueled Community Movement
The Jason Cavness Experience
About Lee Kindell Lee Kindell, founder of MOTO Pizza, has redefined what it means to build a restaurant brand with heart and innovation. What began as a small post-retirement passion project turned into one of Seattle’s most talked-about food success stories. Known for its Detroit-style pizzas, Filipino-inspired toppings, and a 120-year-old sourdough starter named Betty, MOTO Pizza blends craft, culture, and community in every slice. When the pandemic hit, Lee pivoted fast—scaling MOTO from a neighborhood idea into a growing chain with locations in Belltown, Edmonds, and even T-Mobile...
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Defending the Future — Scott Alldridge on AI, Quantum Threats, and Building a Cybersecurity Culture That Lasts
The Jason Cavness Experience
About Scott Alldridge Scott Alldridge is the CEO of IP Services and a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) with over 30 years of global experience in IT management and cybersecurity. Starting his tech career at just 19, Scott has built a reputation as a leader who bridges technology, business, and human behavior to create resilient organizations. He is also the President of the IT Process Institute (ITPI) and co-author of the bestselling VisibleOps book series, which has sold more than 400,000 copies worldwide. As the creator of the TotalControl™ framework, Scott has helped...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Curt Maier. A U.S. Military Veteran, nuclear submarine reactor operator, engineer, and now M&A focused business leader who buys, builds, and transforms companies using a systems-driven mindset forged under extreme pressure.
Curt shares what it was really like working on nuclear submarine reactors, how the Navy shaped his discipline and problem-solving, and why the engineering habits he learned underwater still guide every business decision he makes today.
Jason and Curt dive into the lessons from nuclear operations that apply directly to leadership, M&A strategy, business turnarounds, systems thinking, and running companies in the real world.
Curt explains how he evaluates businesses, what founders usually get wrong, and why Veterans often make exceptional operators and acquirers. This episode blends military intensity, engineering precision, and entrepreneurial execution a rare combination and an incredibly valuable one.
Topics Discussed:
• What it’s actually like to serve aboard nuclear submarines
• The mindset required to operate and maintain nuclear reactors
• How nuclear engineering habits translate directly into business leadership
• The transition from military engineering to entrepreneurship • How Curt evaluates companies for acquisition
• What most business buyers overlook during due diligence
• Systems thinking: the common link between reactors and businesses • Why Veterans excel at M&A, operations, and turnarounds
• Curt’s career path from submariner → engineer → founder → acquirer
• The realities of buying and fixing businesses
• Lessons from high-stakes decision-making
• The future of engineering, leadership, and Veteran entrepreneurship
• Curtis’ advice for Veterans considering acquisition entrepreneurship
Support CavnessHR Help Build the Future of Small Business HR CavnessHR is creating an AI-native HR system built specifically for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees combining automation with a dedicated HR Business Partner.
Here’s how you can support the mission:
💸 Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr
📚 Download 7 Free eBooks based on The Jason Cavness Experience https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks
🤝 Join the CavnessHR Builders Club https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/
Connect with Curt Maier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtmmaier/