Podcast
From the Ground Up
Hosted by Grit Daily - John Boitnott · EN
Building something from nothing isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes vision, relentless determination, and a willingness to push through the unknown. Join John Boitnott on From the Ground Up, a podcast from Grit Daily, where founders, creators, and industry leaders share their raw, unfiltered stories about making it — or sometimes, barely surviving the ride. From the pivotal moments to the unexpected lessons, this is where real talk meets real experience.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bill Houston
Yesterday00:37:18Tap to summarizeRecovery advocate and educator Bill Houston draws on his own experience with alcoholism, liver failure, transplantation, and long-term recovery to explain why addiction treatment cannot rely on a single model. He argues that education, evidence-based care, and individualized support can help people understand what is driving their substance use and build a more durable path forward.
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Nicki Walters
Yesterday00:32:22Tap to summarizeNicki Walters, founder and CEO of Pooper Trooper, built a dog waste management company that has survived personal loss, labor shortages, economic downturns, and constant competition on price. She explains why a durable service business depends on disciplined pricing, community trust, strong employees, and a willingness to solve problems most people would rather ignore.
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Ishan Jain
2w ago00:29:49Tap to summarizeIshan Jain founded YRI after discovering how difficult it was for ambitious students to access meaningful research mentorship. He discusses building a global platform that connects students with PhD mentors, supports peer-reviewed publication, and helps young researchers turn curiosity into measurable academic impact.
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Candie Zar
2w ago00:32:29Tap to summarizeCandie Zar turned a lifelong love of movement and a background in education into SWEATWITHCANDIE, a women-only fitness community in Great Neck. She shares how persistence, positive reinforcement, and a commitment to belonging helped her grow from three participants to packed classes, a second studio space, and plans for online expansion.
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Broc TenHouten
2w ago00:27:34Tap to summarizeIntrinsic Power CEO Broc TenHouten explains how intelligent energy storage, sensing, and power controls can help data centers expand without waiting years for grid upgrades.
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Steve Burns
2w ago00:31:03Tap to summarizeNo Tip founder and chairman Steve Burns explains how his team is combining electric vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, and last-mile logistics to make food delivery more affordable. He discusses the company’s first rollout in Mason, Ohio, the engineering challenges behind doorstep delivery, and why purpose-built autonomous systems could eventually serve groceries, pharmacies, and other local businesses.
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Whitney Pennington
3w ago00:31:13Tap to summarizePennington Law Firm founder Whitney Lundy Pennington shares how she built a thriving family law practice by combining meticulous trial preparation with a client-first philosophy. She explains why empathy, communication, and boundaries are just as important as courtroom skill.
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Jessica Freeman
3w ago00:32:59Tap to summarizeBeta Virtual Assistance VP of Finance Jessica Freeman shares how an unexpected pivot during the pandemic led her into crypto tax consulting. She explains why organization, education, and accurate recordkeeping matter far more than most investors realize.
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4w ago00:33:33Tap to summarizeJM Search partners Ryan Gilligan and Jamey Cummings explain why companies should define the business problem before hiring an AI executive. They also share what separates effective AI leaders from technically impressive candidates who may struggle to create adoption and measurable value.
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Jeffery Miglicco
4w ago00:28:22Tap to summarizePureWay CEO and co-founder Jeffery Miglicco shares how a career in sales led him to build one of the fastest-growing healthcare waste management companies. He explains why sustainable growth comes from deep customer understanding, operational focus, and solving overlooked problems.
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