Episodes

Episode 14 – Earl Allen: Running Toward Mental Health
Since October 1st, 2010, Earl Allen has laced up his shoes and hit the road—every single day. As of June 9th, 2025, he’s logged 50,574.13 miles, averaging 24 to 28 miles a day.

Rain or shine, snow or ice, ache or pain, Earl runs. But he’s not running away from anything—he’s running towardsomething: his mental health. One step, one stride, one mile at a time, Earl has found peace, clarity, and healing on the road.

In this episode, Earl share...

Episode 13 – Tony Sagastume: Reinvention, Mentors, and Building a Career That Lasts

From the early days of Price Club to the polished floors of luxury retail—and eventually to leadership roles at Macy’s and Best Buy—Tony Sagastume has seen retail from every angle.

In this episode, Tony reflects on the mentors who shaped him, the importance of staying adaptable, and the evolution of his leadership style. He speaks candidly about the drive to win—and why instilling that competitive spirit in tea...

Episode 12 – Heidi Pearce: The Words That Matter MostHeidi Pearce is more than a gifted communicator—she’s a truth-teller with heart. In this episode, we revisit the journey of someone I was lucky enough to work closely with during some of the most critical years of my career. From her early days in sports media at the University of Wisconsin to being a key player on the communications team at Best Buy and now Cracker Barrel, Heidi’s path is shaped by empathy, authenticity, and a willingness to ...

Bonus Episode – Rev. J. Dan Renfro: Grace in Action

After the raw and powerful conversation in Episode 11, we knew there was more to say.

In this bonus episode, Rev. J. Dan Renfro shares the work he’s doing now—on the streets, in the margins, wherever people are hurting and hungry. This is the grace that came out of the ashes. This is purpose forged in pain.

Dan’s not building a ministry from a pulpit—he’s building it from lived experience. And the way he shows up for people? It’s nothing sho...

From a tough childhood- to the streets of Dayton-to US Army-to fighting the demon of addiction-to business-to helping those who need it most. The Rev's story will inspire you.

Michael Trebony joins Brian and discusses the journey of his life. How he overcame trauma inflicted in his youth, shares a fateful sermon that has supercharged his drive to be a beacon of hope.

Episode 9: Leadership is an Inside Job – with Dr. Guy Beaudin

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Guy Beaudin, a senior partner at RHR International and a globally respected industrial psychologist who has spent decades advising C-suite leaders across industries. I first met Guy nearly 30 years ago when he was brought in to work with my team—and more pointedly, with me. What began as an uneasy partnership quickly grew into one of the most impactful relationships of my professional life. Guy be...

Episode 8: Running the Long Race Together – Fatherhood and Family Through Adversity
In this companion episode to Karen Hohertz-Jacobs’ powerful story, her husband Matt Jacobs offers a father’s perspective on walking beside a family through life’s hardest chapters. From their daughter Kate’s early cancer diagnosis to the quiet strength it takes to raise a child with both love and limits, Matt reflects on what it means to lead from behind, to carry worry privately, and to keep showing up—mile afte...

Episode 7: Running Through It – Karen Hohertz-Jacobs on Strength, Survival, and Seven Continents
In this powerful episode, Karen Hohertz-Jacobs joins the podcast to share a story of love, purpose, and perseverance that spans the globe.

After her infant daughter Kate was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, Karen and her family began running—first to heal, then to give back. What started with a couch-to-5K became a mission of gratitude and awareness that led them to complete ma...

Episode 6: Your Questions, My Mic – A Listener Q&A Special
In this episode, I flip the script and answer your questions about the first five episodes of The Most Important Podcast Ever. From behind-the-scenes stories to personal reflections on what these conversations have taught me, we dig into what’s resonated, what’s surprised me, and what’s coming next.

It’s part recap, part reflection—and all about deepening the connection with the community we’re building through this show.

Have a questi...

Episode 5: Getting Thru the Worst Possible Thing – with Jimmy Williams
What happens when your world shatters—and how do you begin to rebuild?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jimmy Williams, author of Getting Thru the Worst Possible Thing, who opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his son and the unthinkable grief that followed. With raw honesty and deep wisdom, Jimmy shares how he navigated his darkest moments and what he’s learned about resilience, faith, and the strength of the h...

Episode 5 – Getting Thru The Worst Possible Thing with Jimmy Williams
In this deeply moving episode, author and speaker Jimmy Williams joins the podcast to share the story behind his powerful book Getting Thru The Worst Possible Thing. Jimmy opens up about his family's heartbreaking journey through his young son's battle with cancer, the toll it took, and the profound lessons it taught him about faith, love, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. With honesty and grace, he reflects on...

🎙️ Episode 4 – Eric Harkins: Monday Mornings Shouldn't Suck
In this episode, two veteran retail leaders—Eric Harkins and Brian J. Dunn—sit down for a candid conversation about what makes workplaces thrive... or fall apart. With decades of leadership experience between them, they swap stories from the front lines of retail, talk about the leaders who shaped them, and dive into Eric’s no-nonsense approach to culture, hiring, and leadership.


Eric is the author of Great Leaders Make Sure Monday M...

Episode 3 Intro – Mechelle Carey
Welcome back to The Most Important Podcast Ever, where we shine a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Today’s guest, Mechelle Carey, is the kind of leader who shows up — for her team, her family, and her life — with grit, heart, and an unmistakable sense of purpose. She built her career in retail from the ground up, rising through the ranks of a big-box giant, leading at Krispy Kreme, and now consulting on a major account.

When her husband — a ...

Episode 2: Troy Amaris – From Boardrooms to the Basketball Court and Back
Troy Amaris has lived a career of transformation—moving from the business world to NCAA men’s basketball coaching, including time at Michigan during the legendary Fab Five era, and then back to business. In this episode, Troy shares the lessons learned along the way, the power of adaptability, and why being in the right position—both in sports and in life—makes all the difference.


Tune in for an interesting conversation...

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