Hosts, Ryan Buck and Mark Wilson, welcome guests Lindsay Brock, press officer, and Gary Howe, marketing and communications director for Traverse City Horse Shows. The discussion covers the community-centric nature of the Traverse City horse shows, the guests' roles in the event, and their backgrounds. Lindsay, who travels frequently for work, shares her experience with horse shows and the unique aspects of the Traverse City event. Gary, new to equestrian sports, discusses his interest in the community impact and his transition into this role. The conversation also touches on the dedication and lifestyle of those involved in the horse shows.

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In this podcast episode, Ryan Buck interviews Dawn Chippewa, president of Serenity Ranch, and Alisha Mocere, who assists with various roles at the ranch. Dawn explains that Serenity Ranch helps the community by incorporating horses into healing processes for children, law enforcement, fire, and rescue personnel. Alicia supports Dawn in these endeavors.

Dawn discusses the vision of Serenity Ranch, emphasizing self-empowerment, authenticity, and open communication. She explains how horses naturally help people heal by addressing traumas and fears, and how their presence facilitates mindfulness and emotional expression.

Serenity Ranch, founded in 2020, has grown to house 14 horses and is focused on building community awareness and support through events such as Easter egg hunts and Halloween activities. Dawn contrasts her past career in security and hotel management with her current work, highlighting the joy and fulfillment she finds at the ranch.

Dawn’s previous roles included security, hotel management, and fire and rescue, illustrating her extensive background and drive. She mentions that the ranch's current goals include increasing community engagement, securing sponsorships, and applying for grants. Alicia joined the team through an internship for her social work degree and decided to stay after completing it.

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The Pursuit Of.... a podcast brought by New Leonard Media - Our guest today is Josh Traeger, founding attorney of True North Legal Group. Josh, also noted as a crisis strategist and resilience coach, shares insights about his practice and personal background. When asked about his new community-centered legal practice, Josh emphasizes his commitment to helping people in the community, describing himself as not just an attorney, but also a military veteran, father, husband, and outdoorsman.

Ryan Buck delves into Josh's experience and the types of questions he receives at social gatherings, highlighting community curiosity about his legal practice and background. Josh explains that his firm focuses on providing immediate legal help for acute issues, such as criminal defense and veteran support, and addressing broader community needs through a holistic approach.

Josh discusses the challenges and rewards of starting a new business in a new community, noting the stress of balancing family and professional responsibilities. He mentions his wife’s Michigan roots and how their move to Traverse City was influenced by family connections and a desire to create a supportive environment for their children.

Josh reflects on his career, including his time as an Air Force officer and prosecutor, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and a commitment to duty and honor. He also acknowledges the demanding nature of criminal defense work, contrasting it with his passion for helping people overcome legal barriers to achieve their goals.

The conversation touches on Josh’s educational background, including his BA in political science and Spanish from Wake Forest University and his law degree from Loyola University. Josh highlights his formative experiences in Loyola's trial advocacy program, which fueled his passion for trial law and advocacy.

Overall, the interview showcases Josh Traeger's dedication to community-focused legal practice, his personal values, and the experiences that shaped his career.

"The Pursuit Of... Podcast," welcoming their guest Elizabeth Laidlaw. Elizabeth is an actor, producer, director, and founder of the Lakeside Shakespeare Theater. She describes her career trajectory, emphasizing that while she primarily earns a living as an actor, she has consistently been involved in producing and directing. Elizabeth explains her versatility and passion for various roles in theater and film, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the industry, particularly in Chicago. She also highlights the economic aspects of theater production and the importance of understanding the business side of the arts.

"The Pursuit Of... is a podcast brought by New Leonard Media. Go to newleonard.com for all things related to audio and video podcast production.

This interview with Wendy H. Steele delves into her journey as the founder of Impact100 Global, an organization designed to pool the resources of at least 100 women to fund high-impact grants for local nonprofits. Steele shares the inspiring story of how Impact100 began, starting with a successful initial launch that secured 123 members, exceeding their goal and enabling them to fund a significant grant for a medical and dental clinic. Her vision was to expand Impact100 to 500 members, allowing for more substantial funding across multiple focus areas. This collective approach to philanthropy quickly demonstrated its effectiveness, showcasing the power of women coming together to make a difference.

Steele also discusses her motivation for writing a book about her experiences with Impact100. Encouraged by repeated requests and inspired by examples from other philanthropic endeavors, she set out to create a memoir and practical guide for starting Impact100 chapters. Her book details her personal story, the inception of Impact100, and success stories from various chapters worldwide. Throughout the interview, Steele emphasizes the importance of transparency, flexibility, and celebrating contributions in philanthropy. She reflects on her background in banking and the influence of her family in cultivating her passion for giving back, advocating for a focus on positive impacts and the fulfillment that comes from helping others.

The Pursuit Of... is a podcast produced by New Leonard Media

In this segment of "The Pursuit of Podcast," hosts Ryan Buck and Mark Wilson introduce their guests, Sue Brown, Director of Operations, and Cindy Evans, Executive Director of Grand Traverse Industries (GTI). Cindy highlights GTI's mission of creating paychecks and smiles, focusing on job training and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Cindy explains how GTI measures success by the happiness and achievements of their team members. Sue discusses the organization's supportive culture and her role in overseeing manufacturing and community programs. Both emphasize the importance of inclusivity and the positive impact GTI has on the community and its members.

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Gary Jonas, co-owner of The Little Fleet and Farm Club joins Ryan and Mark for this episode. Gary discusses being in the hospitality business. He describes the fun and rewarding aspects of hosting events and providing a space for people to gather.

Gary talks about the stress of balancing work with family life, mentioning the importance of having a great staff to support him. He reflects on his unconventional path into the restaurant business, starting without much prior knowledge and the support of his wife and business partner, Allison.

The conversation shifts to the origins of The Little Fleet and Farm Club, highlighting the community support they received in New York City and Traverse City. Gary shares the journey of sourcing locally and adopting a farm-to-table approach. He also discusses the uniqueness of Traverse City as a destination and the success of ventures if done well.

Reflecting on his background in economics, Gary emphasizes the importance of following gut instincts in business decisions. He shares stories of opening restaurants and bars, including Sycamore, a whiskey bar, and the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

The discussion concludes with insights into Traverse City's supportive community and its role as an incubator for new ventures. Gary expresses gratitude for living in such a beautiful place and reflects on the success of their ventures, attributing it to hard work and community curiosity.

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On this episode, artist Katie Lowran shares her journey into art, which began when she inexplicably felt compelled to buy a tube of electric blue paint despite lacking prior artistic experience. She discusses her passion for infusing emotion and feeling into her acrylic paintings, even though she initially studied psychology in college and grew up in an academic household. Katie emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest and having fun. The podcast also touches on her three artistic children, her business-minded approach, and challenges the stereotype of artists being perceived as "flaky" or impractical.