You Don't Need This Podcast
If you’re a remarkable student, entrepreneur, intrapreneur, or community builder thirsty enough to make a ruckus, welcome to innovative energy brewed to keep you building.
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Paving Paths
06/11/2025
Paving Paths
builds stuff. Let's cheers to this leader's early entrepreneurial experiences and the origins of so many projects (see bonus materials) that have paved different paths for fellow founders. We also discuss when teams need to raise financial capital and how to manage a board of advisors, then explore leveraging large clients, finding co-founders in a startup community, and being honest with the end game in mind. After the break, we hear how Eric wants to be remembered and riff on if everyone has an entrepreneurial spirit. We celebrate co-founders in life, articulate , deal flow as an investor, the importance of computer science in education, and avoiding burnout within the long-term realm of evolving entrepreneurial ecosystems. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP9 – 🎙️ Nancy Mwirotsi EP17 – 🎙️🎞️ Anika Yadav EP30 – 🎙️ Brian Crotty EP77 – - Gerald Beranek
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Courtside Perspectives
06/04/2025
Courtside Perspectives
Just in time for the NBA Finals! Sit courtside with , the President of Business Operations for the . The G League connects professional basketball players and leaders to each team in the NBA. EP93 is packed with fast-paced collisions that will leave you wanting OT. The had a remarkable season and Ben occasionally sits courtside at the Iowa Wolves, who also had another howling good minor league season. The entertainment business of sports is BIG, so find your seat, hit the bonus materials below, and get set... tip-off is now! BONUS MATERIALS Iowa Wolves 🏀💨 Courtside - Roasted Reflections Break: EP23 - 🎙️ Adam Viet EP28 – 🎙️ Sachin Sehgal EP82 - 🎙️ Jon Kallen
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Revenue Bulldogs
05/28/2025
Revenue Bulldogs
is a technologist, founder, and educator who strengthens the web for understanding customers, solving the right problems, and sequencing to grow revenue. We explore this catalyst's journey from early interest in , building/exiting his own business, helping large companies scale, shifting into higher education, establishing the , and now inside (Bulldogs) as the . After the break, have fun hearing how to leverage research discoveries and scientific findings from tech transfer portals inside NASA and nationwide. We close by discussing coopetition within a startup community, venture capital, and paving paths to exit in style. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP30 – 🎙️ Brian Crotty EP31 – 🎙️ Russ Goerend EP69 – 🎙️ Chris Snider EP81 – 🎙️ Carl Lippert
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Surfing Early Moves
05/21/2025
Surfing Early Moves
Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a tech founder who helps entrepreneurs surf through early moves that test the desirability, feasibly, and profitability of new ideas. He visiting Des Moines to lead the discussion at a web3dsm gathering, leveled up with an unplanned pinball lesson, and presenting at 1MC Des Moines the next morning. We then hit the studio to talk about ways a minimum viable product ("MVP") can activate the and how to support progress with ongoing . After a narrated break, Ben and Devon think through digitized consciousness and riff on the entrepreneurial lifestyle. For companies that have technical products, we share how communication patterns help to translate sophisticated concepts in ways that will resonate. These two technologists close by sharing creative ways to find and encourage us all to enjoy the journey of this magnificent marathon. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP21 – 🎙️ Ben Sinclair
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Cartoonist
05/14/2025
Cartoonist
is an artist. He has origins in the early days of social media, made impact inside corporate marketing, and now illustates remarkable art with drawings, cartoons, murals, and more. Ben and Nathan jam on , the early (fun) days of social media, the speeds in-house at a large company, leading a creative process with clients, for studying the arts, and understanding the business of being a full-time artist. After the break that features a reading of , Nathan and Ben dive back in by talking at live events, the positive tension of smart cartoons, and extending value by reformatting great content into books. EP90 is an absolute bop - share with a friend! EXTRA SHOT Nathan T. Wright is the friend who illustrated the mug that has become part of a brand that is Ben McDougal. What started as caffeinated, community-driven cover art for , now extends through the , imprinted , the front of , temporary tattoos, a huge neon sign, and of course, the artwork for this timeless podcast! Cheers to this episode and another shared relic that keeps the fun brewing! BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP21 - 🎙️ Ben Sinclair EP44 – 🎙️ Scotty Russell EP55 - 🎙️ Jim Morgan EP60 – 🎙️ Nic Roth
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Gig Economy
05/07/2025
Gig Economy
is a military veteran and startup founder who connects doers to odd jobs. Instead of asking "who do you know" for a task around the house, the team built an easier way to find handy folks looking for nearby. Like ride sharing, this episode highlights more examples of how the is evolving. We chat about trust within a two-sided marketplaces, building as a non-technical founder, content creation, and paving a path to go far with activities that look like work to others, but feels like play to you. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP34 – 🎙️ Ryan Glick EP44 – 🎙️ Scotty Russell
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Design to Rhyme
04/30/2025
Design to Rhyme
and are leaders who show up to build brands that are brewed through storytelling that rhymes. Together, we toast to experiential design, friends within the food & beverage industry, product labeling, and staying in-tune with industry regulations to provide effeciency for customers. After the break, we discuss how to stay creative by activating the senses and adding digital depth to extend how a target audience experiences your brand. If you're building with friends, be sure to stick around for an easter egg of insight as well. Cheers! BONUS MATERIALS EP65 - 🎙️ Kourtney Perry
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Push Through
04/23/2025
Push Through
Alongside a career in finance, is an investor and wrote to help founders scale. We talk about choosing to push through the storm, raising strategic financial capital, collaborating with investors, signals for when it might be time to scale, and all that goes into writing your first book. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP59 - - Amner Martinez EP73 - 🎙️ Jon Van De Veer EP84 - 🎙️ Jon Kallen
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Red Jalapeño
04/16/2025
Red Jalapeño
brings the heat! We pour on the sauce and dip into salsa as we hear how delivers spicy goodness in 22,000+ locations worldwide. Taufeek and Ben discuss the science of edible product development, freshness in a distributed supply chain, and physical experiences with digital depth. BONUS MATERIALS 🌶️ Roasted Reflections Break: EP28 – 🎙️ Sachin Sehgal
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Corporate Battleships
04/09/2025
Corporate Battleships
invests corporate innovation funds. is a growing trend, so let's chat through how founders can interact with corporate partners and how internal innovation teams can leverage their position within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. As an within the insurance industry, listen how to co-create with founders and stay in-tune with a startup community. Large companies must stay thirsty to stay ahead of the innovation curve and EP85 is brewed to help indispensable employees execute by staying curious as we lead from within. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP30 - 🎙️ Brian Crotty EP40 – 🎙️ Joe Murphy EP72 – 🎙️ Nicole Crain
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Base Camp
04/02/2025
Base Camp
Join us at base camp as builds a mountain for us to climb. We lean into the pain and carry our own gear with stories from , , , and more high altitudes worldwide. When he's not craving gummy worms on snow capped peaks above the clouds, this impactful leader mentors founders commercializing business strategies. We reflect on this leadership alongside our closing message to the mountains. Roasted Reflections Break: EP18 – 🎙️ Jeff Reed EP58 – 🎙️ Clayton Mooney
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Prognostication
03/26/2025
Prognostication
is a mathematician, software engineer, and founder who uses machine learning to unlock data-driven understandings. His team at leverages insight to and sellers for real estate professionals. While they play chess in-studio, hear and Ehrich chat about avoiding , Ehrich's favorite math equation, machine learning, and predictive modeling in real estate. The nerdery continues with mathematics in the real world, then Ben narrates an exponential writing. After the break, Ehrich writes a haiku in real-time and climbs through thoughts from atop the mountain. EP83 continues with stories from shared experiences inside the Iowa Techstars Accelerator, communicating complicated products, and what people look for when it comes to their new home. We finish with thoughts on polyhedrons, infinity, and beyond. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP6 - 🎙️ Brad Dwyer EP22 – 🎙️ Cassie Edgar EP29 - 🎙️ Kerty Levy EP34 - 🎙️ Ryan Glick (Netflix)
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Adapttitude
03/19/2025
Adapttitude
is the 14th president of . Students join us in-studio as we discuss the energy of leadership. We also talk about writing a book and how to leverage an adapttitude, which is an attitude that fosters an aptitude for adaptation. After an extended break that celebrates and Seth Godin's , we navigate the ROI of higher education, cosmic curiosity, and what's worth sacrificing to achieve progress. We close with a viking story from Rachelle, on how she burnt the ship by selling her law practice to pursue more grand adventures. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP9 – 🎙️ Nancy Mwirotsi EP31 – 🎙️ Russ Goerend
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Technology Soup
03/12/2025
Technology Soup
Put your laser eyes on as swings through the studio to brew some technology soup. Together, we compile Carl's global hackathon tour to hear how such curiosity paired with initiative helped this small town technologist explore the world. From farming to AI, to blockchain networks, to prototyping, to nomading, to , cryptography, and truth, EP81 is loaded with tactics and innovative energy to optimize your time and environments. As Ben and Carl discuss, when technology is inherently money, it's less about jargon and maybe we get . Add to this concoction of thought, a dash of skeuomorphism, how AI can be magically expensive, robotics in daily life, and space! Enjoy this remarkable episode with EDM in the background, stay wild, and . BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP3 – 🎙️ Jon Woodard EP6 – 🎙️ Brad Dwyer EP8 – 🎙️ Kyle Tut EP39 – 🎙️ Will Schneller EP71 – 🎙️ Alex Myers EP80 – 🎙️ scottrepreneur The Anthology of Balaji - Carl's Wardrobe:
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Audacious
03/05/2025
Audacious
is a nerd you need to know. How does blockchain layering work? What can composability provide? What's the value of money being mechanized? Can you translate the difference between centralized, protocol, and blockchain networks? Maybe you're exploring ways to add digital depth to existing products? So many questions, here are some answers! After the 10 Commandments of UX are echoed in the break, we talk about how blockchain can support state management and sourcing truth alongside the power of AI. We brew on getting rugged by Big Tech, tokenomics to incentivize contribution, the lasting value of NFTs, user ownership in social media, , web3 accelerators, , burning digital assets, and zero knowledge proofs. Try to keep up, share with a developer, and stay wild with tons of related episodes below. Let's keep learning and building... together! BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections NFT Collection - EP3 – 🎙️ Jon Woodard EP8 - 🎙️ Kyle Tut EP25 - 🎙️ Chase Merlin EP38 - 🎙️ Joshua Larson EP39 - 🎙️ Will Schneller EP44 - 🎙️ Scotty Russell EP71 - 🎙️ Alex Myers
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Rock & Radio
02/26/2025
Rock & Radio
is an Inductee jamming on a new kind of mic. EP79 features a friend and professional conversationalist sharing insight from 40+ years in radio! This influencer is also an award-winning theatrical director, actor, and producer. Ben and Maxwell discuss timely vs. evergreen content, regulations of radio, metrics that matter vs. opinions of estimates, and curating beyond passive followers. After the break, we explore how to lead by doing, radical ways for radio to remain relevant, and then Max... as he's done so many times, in so many ways, closes things down in style. BONUS MATERIALS EP48 – 🎙️ Michael Libbie EP59 – 🎙️ Amner Martinez EP69 – 🎙️ Chris Snider
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Hobbies That Pay
02/19/2025
Hobbies That Pay
is a friendly founder and creative content creator. This influencer explores the realities of an entrepreneurial lifestyle by teaching others how to efficiently create lead magnets built on pillars of content. In EP78, we hear how Sarah introduced herself to digital design as a student, then escaped a cubicle by leveraging paying clients to start her business. Ben and Sarah keep building with timeless insight on , balancing a personal brand, and how creative initiative helps us all find work that feels like play. BONUS MATERIALS
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Problem Solving
02/12/2025
Problem Solving
is an executionist and a professional problem solver who helps others bring product ideas to life. We talk product design, manufacturing, business, and his new quest. We get reps in on financial modeling, , leadership, and enjoying the process as well. Thanks to Gerald for making the trip to join us in-studio! The results is EP77, which brews timeless value for anyone building a product or leading a team. Cheers! BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Make Better Things
02/05/2025
Make Better Things
Manufacturing and business geek, is inside Iowa State University. He leads the Center for Industrial Research and Service (), which helps small- to medium-sized industry compete and win in the modern world. EP76 is light and fun, but rich in now value. Manufacturing is the largest industry in Iowa. We talk manufacturing types, environmental complexities, manufacturing 4.0, exoskeletons, talent matching, and future effeciencies. If manufacturing means something to you, if you're building a physical product, if you need resources to keep building, this is an excellent listen. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: https://ibm.com/think/topics/industry-4-0 http://Manufacturability.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com
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DSM USA
01/29/2025
DSM USA
is the President & CEO of ! This special episode highlights the results of Tiffany's recent 11-county listening tour with 23 different chambers of commerces and how different communities can collaborate even when environmental factors are different. We then shift gears to discuss leadership within transitional times, data-driven storytelling, and the future of the Des Moines metro. After you refill your mug, Ben and Tiffany talk about evolving startup communities and entreprenierual ecosystem building. As a cool connection to , listen as we discuss innovative ideas for member-supported organizations, such as chambers of commerce, non-profits, and industry associations. We review the economic and talent development showcased in the DSM Partnership's 2024 Annual Report, then go flying with ecosystem allies before an invitation to get in the arena. BONUS MATERIALS + EP5 – 🎙️ Jay Byers EP13 – 🎙️ Diana Wright
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Speak Up
01/22/2025
Speak Up
equips leaders to confidently communicate. He transforms fears into fuel and speaks nationwide. Whether you're interested in paid public speaking or working to unite a team, EP74 will inspire you to pause, listen, then come off mute. After your friendly host narrates within another classic break without commercials, Ben and Erik share a handful of specific terms to avoid, assets to extend your reach, and how to cut things to create space for storytelling to land. If your message matters, this is yet another timeless relic to savor. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Care Directly
01/15/2025
Care Directly
took a path less traveled. He shifted gears later in his practice as a doctor, and has since activated a direct primary care experience brewed to provide patients more personalized healthcare. We chat about transparency, affordability, access, and convenience in healthcare, but also get nerdy with zero knowledge proofs, DNA computing, and life extension. After a quick break that invites you to enjoy the feel of finished with the Collector Hardback Edition of , Dr. Van Der Veer talked with Ben about their aquisition process and tips for others to build with in mind. Yes, EP73 will help you stick to those new year resolutions, but we close with health hacks to help you dance with your own inspired life. BONUS MATERIALS
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Win Win Win
01/08/2025
Win Win Win
is the incoming president for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. She's been helping to build business throughout Iowa for over 15 years, so it's neat to have this be her first interview as the new leader within Iowa ABI. We toast and his 20+ years of generous leadership, then discuss nogotiating, public policy, and advocacy that is valued by members. Nicole wraps up the first part of EP72 by shared timeless insight for students pursuing a business degree. After Ben narrates , Alessandra and Stella welcome us back by asking our featured guest, what's worth sacrificing to pursue progress? We then let future-forward ideas flow, scratch on innovative community building tactics, and share how existing business can weave succession planning into their strategy. Congrats to our featured guest on the new leadership role and here's to a fantastic 2025! BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break: EP32 - - Jessi McQuerrey EP30 🎙️ - Brian Crotty
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Still United
01/01/2025
Still United
🥂 Happy New Year 🥂 and return from the future to refill our mugs and translate nerd into normal. kicks off 2025 with a compelling thought on . The humans then chime in on the evolution of AI, , and . After the break that invites openess, we discuss the state of web3, corporate networks vs. blockchain networks, state management, material science, and how society can thrive even with information overload. Alex was featured in EP45 last season, so revist that timeless episode (link below) along with this fresh jolt of innovative energy. Stay curious! BONUS MATERIALS YDTNP - EP45 - "" -Chris Dixon Roasted Reflections Break:
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Grandpa Dale
12/25/2024
Grandpa Dale
🎄 Holiday Special 🎄 Grandpa Dale visits the studio. At age 92, open this gift of a chat between a grandpa and his grandson, released on Christmas morning. The love of family, stories of riding a horse over a mile to school, peaceful gratitude, and so much more. Ben had a number of ideas for narrating the break, so tune through to enjoy , then we keep the nestaglia brewing. Ben's dad sat in on the fun and twas cool to record this neat family relic. Thanks to all who make Christmas special. Enjoy the holidays and this holiday special. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Generative Humans
12/18/2024
Generative Humans
is an educator who helps students explore the landscape of communications. Knowing so much information is online, digital communication becomes apart of endless discussion. How does multimedia technologies flow so prevalently within ? Chris has been exploring the frontiers of social media and has taught at Drake University for over 15 years! Listen as we surf the continuum of . We approach the end of 2024 with this modern glimpse inside our university classrooms. Ben narrates Horizons from the Roasted Reflections library, then we jam on generative AI, intelectual humility, and emerging tools we use to connect, communicate, and collaborate. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Non-Dilutive
12/11/2024
Non-Dilutive
sits front row to innovation. is a helpful wayfinder and guides entreprenuers toward non-dulituve funding. We chat about how resources are abundant (see below!), but still take time to activate. We also discuss ways to give and receive feedback as founders. Ben narrates a writing brewed for parents during the break, then we ski down the mountain and chat about the illusion of needing financial capital in order to build. We close by breathing through more building blocks that help us all continue to push progress. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Kups from Kenya
12/04/2024
Kups from Kenya
brings the world together with a . Ben McDougal is the and was on a community visit to celebrate in Nebraska. This episode within our "In The Wild" category features an experienced coffee maker and international bridge builder. Laban and his team at Zabuni are brewing a large selection of specialty coffees from Kenya. Ben shares a caffeanited invitation to , then narrates in the break. We then teleport back into an IRL and impromptu, but fantastic chat from within Nebraska. Do you know how coffee goes from the earth into your morning mug? Perhaps coffee is addicted to us, haha, so let's have some fast sailing around the coffee industry's global supply chain. The cherry on top is a closing chat on global collaboration. Stay wild and let's keep building. BONUS MATERIALS Roasted Reflections Break:
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Game Time
11/27/2024
Game Time
leverages game play to build community. This proverbial camp director ignites commodore through and connects people through a shared experience. Listen as we talk analog game play, event management, and embracing activities that bring you pleasure. Enjoy your time playing in this real and keep doing hard things. After Ben narrates Echos from the Roasted Reflections library, Joe jams on leading within the startup community. Specifically, his time as the lead organizer for . We brew on identifying roles amongst a volunteers, fueling diverse collisions within an audience, tips for , and how adds valuable thickness in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. BONUS MATERIALS https://TheDealtHand.com https://1millioncups.com/s/communities Reading Break from Roasted Reflections:
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Aromatherapy
11/20/2024
Aromatherapy
is authentic in a way that delivers . She shows up and sets the vibe with scents that connect to the human experience. Light a candle from s, close your eyes, and enjoy! This episode explores how Kourtney took her business from the basement to a physical storefront, and now a mobile boutique fueled by a community of true fans. After the breaks, we hear key takeaways from Kourtney's experience working through Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women, Black Entrepreneur Bunkers Lab Series, Walkers Legacy Prospectus Procurement Accelerator, and the FedEx Learning Lab. We share one whiff we'd like to take before we pass, commemorate , how to manage a growing product line, building strategically with customer segmentation, and the values of private journalling versus publishing in public. BONUS MATERIALS
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