Podcast
Fearless Founders
Hosted by Midland Institute · EN
Fearless Founders podcast is an audio adaptation of a live experience hosted for CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program participants across the nation each year. CEO is an entrepreneurship program provided by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship that is transforming young people across the nation into entrepreneurial thinkers. A part of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s ever-present mission to develop the next generation of thought leaders and innovators, this series was born out of a passion to share valuable life stories with these high school entrepreneurs and invite them to build their network on a national level. In this podcast, you’ll hear a collection of special conversations with highly, successful visionary leaders - from Olympic champions to New York Times bestselling authors - that touch on how they got there, the failures they overcame, and what they learned along the way. To learn more about the CEO Program, visit DiscoverCEO.com.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Alumni Panel | Building Their Entrepreneurial Path Post CEO
Apr 1000:51:59Tap to summarizeWhat does building something after the CEO actually look like?In this episode of Fearless Founders, Ashton sits down with three CEO alumni, Lilly Miller, Leo Krueger, and Levi Zbinden, for an honest conversation about life, business, and growth after the program.Each of them is on a completely different path.Lilly launched her luxury wedding photography business while still in high school and now travels the country capturing elevated, cinematic love stories.Leo is preparing to step into a full-time role with Archer Daniels Midland while continuing to pursue his passion for global business and entrepreneurship in the food and snacking industry.Levi is the owner of Flatland Foam Solutions, building a hands-on service business focused on craftsmanship, efficiency, and serving his local community.Together, they share what it really looks like to take the next step, navigating uncertainty, building confidence, and staying committed to growth even when the path isn’t clear.This episode is a reminder that there is no single timeline or definition of success, just the decision to keep moving forward.
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Brock & Mitch Mammoser | From One Product to an $80M Brand
Mar 600:53:59Tap to summarizeWhat happens when two small-town brothers take a single product idea and turn it into an $80 million brand in just five years?In this episode of Fearless Founders, Ashton Shultz sits down with Brock and Mitch Mammoser, the brothers behind Frost Buddy, one of the fastest-growing drinkware and lifestyle brands in the country.Raised in Newton, Illinois, Brock and Mitch grew up with a competitive spirit shaped by sports, discipline, and small-town values. In 2020, during one of the most uncertain economic moments in recent history, they decided to take a risk and launch Frost Buddy. What started as a single product quickly evolved into a vertically integrated company with a 150,000-square-foot warehouse, national retail partnerships, and a powerful e-commerce presence.Brock, the company’s CEO, leads brand vision, marketing strategy, and product innovation, while Mitch, as COO, focuses on operations, systems, and scaling the business.In this conversation, they share the real story behind building Frost Buddy, the risks they took, the mindset required to grow quickly, and the lessons they’ve learned while scaling a business from zero to $80 million.For young entrepreneurs and builders alike, this episode is a powerful reminder that big ideas can come from anywhere.
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Manda Goldberg | From Layoff to Agency: The Cella Gold Story
Jan 2300:58:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ashton sits down with Manda Goldberg, Founder & Chief Strategist of Cella Gold Media, a social media agency based in South Florida serving real estate and service-based brands. After being laid off, Manda chose to build instead of job-hunting, a decision that would lead her to scale beyond 60+ brands and consult with agencies looking to sharpen their strategy and scale smarter.We talk about the shift from freelancing to agency building, the systems that make social media feel effortless for clients, and why founders consistently underestimate social while overestimating trends. Manda shares how to get your first five clients from zero, what she’d do differently, and where she believes social media for brands is heading next. Her mission is simple but profound: giving entrepreneurs back their most valuable asset — time.
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Elena DiStefano | Inventing Comfort with the Cozy Clip®
Dec 200:52:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Fearless Founders, I sit down with Elena DiStefano, the founder and inventor of the Cozy Clip®—a groundbreaking redesign of the classic claw clip created to eliminate pain and prioritize everyday comfort. After years of loving the look of claw clips but experiencing constant discomfort—especially while driving—Elena realized the solution she needed didn't exist. So, she built it herself.Starting with a 3D printer prototype in her college dorm, Elena transformed a simple problem into a purpose-driven product that is now making an impact on women's everyday lives. Her story is one of creativity and believing in an idea before anyone else could see it.This is a conversation for every builder, dreamer, and doer who is ready to turn inspiration into action. You're going to love this one.
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Ashton Shultz - From CEO Student to Founder: The Story Behind Ashton Jo Marketing
Oct 2400:51:08Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally.Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your reminder that starting small can still lead to something extraordinary.
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Blaine Fuhs - Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose
Sep 2601:05:08Tap to summarizeIn this inspiring first episode, we sit down with Blaine Fuhs, CEO Alumni, author, speaker, and creator, to explore what true success really looks like. Drawing from his influential book, Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose, Blaine challenges the belief that influence equals identity. Instead, he reminds us that titles, followers, or recognition don’t measure real purpose—it’s discovered in how we serve, lead, and love in everyday life.Through his work as a writer, speaker, and storyteller, Blaine has helped countless individuals and organizations refine their message, amplify their impact, and discover clarity in their purpose. His wisdom will encourage you to stop living for applause and start living for meaning.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to rethink your definition of success and live with deeper intention.
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Jason Thomas – Designing a Life of Adventure
Aug 1200:56:26Tap to summarizeToday’s episode features Jason Thomas, Director of Design and Product Development at RiverSmith USA. Jason is more than a designer—he’s an innovator, a creative force, and a true adventurer. With nearly two decades of experience, Jason has shaped some of the country's most cutting-edge outdoor products and climbing environments. He firmly believes that design should be both beautiful and functional—and that the outdoors has the power to connect and inspire us.In this conversation, we explore how Jason blends creativity with purpose, the role leadership plays in pushing boundaries, and what it really means to build a legacy of impact in the outdoor industry.
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CEO Alumni Panel – Grit, Growth, and God-Given Drive
Jul 2800:56:14Tap to summarizeThis episode is something special—a panel featuring three incredible CEO alumni who’ve taken their senior-year startup ideas and turned them into thriving businesses.You’ll hear from:Ben Flath, founder of Excursions Automotive in Indiana,Ashley Leman, founder of Revive Coffee & Roasting Company in Illinois,And Alex Eckhardt, owner of Q-Town Kicks sneaker store in Quincy, IL.Each of them shares what it was like starting a business in high school, what they’ve learned through real-world experience, and how faith, discipline, and community have shaped their journey. You don’t want to miss this powerhouse panel of young leaders.
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EPISODE 4: Brent Oberlink – Building Businesses That Build Others
Jul 2100:59:15Tap to summarizeIn this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Brent Oberink, co-owner of Laner Corp and host of The Better Contractor podcast. Brent shared his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a nationwide maintenance contracting business for the oil and gas industry in 2007 to growing it into a 50+ employee company with multiple locations. He also discussed creating a podcast to support contractors and entrepreneurs while building a vertically integrated brand.Tune in to hear Brent’s insights on embracing risk, the power of mentorship, and balancing a multi-faceted business with personal priorities. Brent shares how his drive for freedom and passion for strategic growth propelled him from quitting a corporate job to building a legacy business. He also offers practical advice on pricing strategies, time management, and the importance of being present in both business and life.WHERE TO LEARN MORE https://brentoberlink.com/ https://open.spotify.com/show/1tjPd8zKXx2oXT8WpjTwir
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EPISODE 3: Katie Clark – Sentiment Meets Strategy in Jewelry
Jul 1400:57:11Tap to summarizeIn this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Katie Clark, founder of Katie Clark Co., a fine jewelry business based in Houston, Texas. Katie shared her journey from working in corporate America at a jewelry store to leveraging her TikTok platform to launch her own custom jewelry company in 2023. She now balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and content creation while building her growing brand.Tune in to hear Katie discuss the lessons she’s learned about time management, pricing strategies, and building trust with clients in the fine jewelry industry. She also shares how she used social media to connect with her audience, turn her passion into a business, and navigate challenges like sourcing materials and setting up operations.Katie’s inspiring story is packed with insights for CEO participants, including the importance of starting before everything is perfect and taking bold risks when the timing feels right!WHERE TO LEARN MOREhttps://katieclark.co/
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