Next Level Leader
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 68 ratingsHost Craig Pratt is on a mission to highlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help others live on the next level.
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Episodes
Episode 44: When life sends you a message that leads to your calling….
January 24, 2024 17:07 - 43 minutes - 59.5 MBMatt Buresh is a fourth generation funeral director in a family business that began in Detroit, MI in 1897. He currently owns and operates six locations in Northeast Michigan as one of the oldest family owned funeral homes at 127 years. This is his story about facing adversity at a young age and how it helped him to find his calling, define his character and build a foundation for how to care for others. A former athlete and medical student found that God would lead him to the family profes...
Episode 43: The Power of Love
January 16, 2024 16:49 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBWhen you are dealt with the extraordinary in life, the people in your corner truly do matter. Nick Oprish tells his story from growing up in Bloomington, MN to a degree at the University of St Thomas, meeting his wife Melissa and being blessed with 3 beautiful kids and a career in corporate America. In 2019 his journey took an unexpected turn that made him double down on his determination and resilience not only to survive but to make the most out of the next chapter of his ...
Episode 42: Two Hands on the Broom
August 31, 2023 15:28 - 55 minutes - 76.9 MBFrom bricklayer to the CEO of a thriving National IT Consulting firm, Richard shares his lessons learned through his Forbes published book, “Relationship Equity.” His no nonsense, common sense approach to life will undoubtedly inspire you to challenge the way you think.
Episode 41: Chandler Withington: Stand and Deliver
June 12, 2023 18:25 - 51 minutes - 70.6 MBIn 2021, Chandler Withington had a life many would envy. He had achieved his dream of becoming a PGA Head Professional at Hazeltine National, had hosted a victorious Ryder Cup in 2016 and had another Ryder Cup scheduled to return to Hazeltine in 2029. When Chandler suddenly resigned from his position in the fall of 2021, many wondered why. Chandler visits with us to share his perspective on life, family and pursuing a career, along with what he is doing now.
Episode 40: Miracles happen on Mondays
May 01, 2023 05:00 - 53 minutes - 74 MBRyan French, better known as Monday Q Info on Twitter, is a golf writer and journalist who pride himself on telling the stories of players chasing the top tours in the world and the dedication and sacrifice it takes to get there. French became particularly well-known for his coverage of “Monday qualifiers,” which are events held on the Monday prior to a professional golf tournament where golfers who are not otherwise exempt can try to earn a spot in the field. He started a Twitter account, M...
Episode 39: Grace, Gratitude and Giving
April 18, 2023 14:41 - 45 minutes - 63.4 MBIn this episode, host Craig Pratt talks with Jeff Mader about his life, career, and motivations. Jeff Mader retired at the beginning of 2023 from the CIO position at Sun Country Airlines. Jeff started working in IT in 1980. Most significant was his nearly twenty- four years at Target where he progressed to a senior level VP reporting to the CIO. Jeff also served as the first CIO of Imagine Companies prior to joining Sun Country Airlines. He has significant background in retail, transp...
Episode 38: Power of Connection: Colleagues, Family, Friends & Cause
March 14, 2023 16:14 - 54 minutes - 74.9 MBNick Hernandez is a St. Paul native who co-founded 3 advisory firms after starting his career at IBM. Alongside his wife, Mary Alice, they have four grown children, three of whom are parents, and six energetic grandchildren. In 2020, he founded Adelante Advisors with Jackie Hartman, a guide service helping people navigate life transitions and find deeper meaning and purpose.
Episode 37: Wake-Up Call
February 20, 2023 22:10 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MBWade Wyant is a recovering serial entrepreneur and business coach…He has helped multiple businesses significantly increase their revenue and valuations. In this book you will learn the multiple lessons Wade has learned along the way. Key learnings include how to lean into conflict, embrace the grind, make tough decision and it’s all about the team at the end of the day.
Episode 36: Adventure For All
March 29, 2022 13:59 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MBChase Pettey is most known as an adventurer and lover of life. His love for adventure and helping others lead him to launch Adventure For All, an innovative nonprofit creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or as they say exceptionalities! Chase didn’t become who he is today by chance. He became who he is by the obstacles and challenges he was faced with starting at a young age. On today’s episode we hear about the life that guided Ch...
Episode 35: Birdies 4 Brains
October 28, 2021 18:32 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MBBrian Eder is your classic Minnesotan…Raised inn Stillwater and went to St. Johns in Collegeville, MN to play Football for the legendary coach John Gagliardi. One of the great gifts from his college experience was meeting his wife Greta. They have two beautiful daughters and a beautiful home on the east side of the Twin Cities. When he’s not helping multiple charities across the Twin Cities he’s helping families build a life plan at Voyage Wealth Architects (voyegewa.com). Brian...
Episode 34: The rest is still unwritten
June 23, 2021 20:00 - 41 minutes - 57 MBMarc Mero (born July 9, 1960) is an American former amateur boxer and professional wrestler, as well as a motivational speaker. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) under his real name and with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Johnny B. Badd. Today, Marc Mero contributes much of his time to the nonprofit organization he founded in 2007, Champion of Choices. Learn more at THINKP...
Episode 33: Sweet Home Alabama
June 14, 2021 17:57 - 33 minutes - 27.4 MBRaising Men Lawn Care Service is the union of an ordinary yard maintenance service and the commitment to establish an inspiring program to keep our youth (girls & boys) on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society. RMLCS provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources and/or money to take care of their yards. Raising Men Lawn Care Service is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit WeAr...
Episode 32: Love, Leadership & A Little Bit Of Luck
March 04, 2021 00:30 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBThomas Mendoza joined NetApp in 1994 as Vice President of North America sales. He served as its President from 2000 until 2008, when he became Vice Chairman. He helped establish the culture that allowed NetApp to be ranked #1 in Fortune Magazine’s "100 Best Companies To Work For" in 2009, as well as being a co-recipient with NetApp CEO, Dan Warmenhoven of the Morgan Stanley Leadership Award for Global Commerce —the first time the award had been co-presented to two individuals. M...
Episode 31: The Coaching Conversation
February 10, 2021 23:00 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBBrian Souza is CEO and founder of ProductivityDrivers - an innovative corporate training company that specializes in building world-class, high performance teams and organizations. Souza is also the author of The New York Times Bestseller, The Weekly Coaching Conversation. As a respected thought leader in how to build high performance teams, coaching, leadership, and sales, Souza is highly sought after as a keynote speaker and management consultant by top companies and organizations world...
Episode 30: Cause every hand's a winner and every hand’s a loser
December 15, 2020 19:49 - 54 minutes - 75.5 MBTommy Angelo is an Oakland, California professional poker player, writer, and coach. Angelo was a career musician in the 1980s, performing rock and country on drums and piano. In 1990, he became a full-time professional poker player. Since then has since written 150 magazine articles, written and produced 60 poker-training videos, and written and published four books on poker. https://www.tommyangelo.com
Episode 29: Paving the Streets of Detroit with Love
December 03, 2020 20:44 - 44 minutes - 61.6 MBElli's House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving homeless & runaway women involved in human trafficking in the city of Detroit. Our mission is to abolish sex trafficking in the city of Detroit through building relationships, offering safe shelter, and providing education. Elli's House was founded in 2017 by Deb Ellinger, a native Detroiter. While working with teen girls who were consistently running away from home, there was a clear need for a shelter in the city. Out of this need, Deb bega...
Episode 28: The Reward of Knowing
February 13, 2020 14:23 - 59 minutes - 68.9 MBJohn Collopy is one of the real estate industry’s most influential leaders. With 40 offices in and 1,200 agents in Minnesota and Wisconsin ReMax Results is one the largest Real Estate firms in the country. John takes us through the highs and lows of his personal and professional life…His journey is filled with self-discovery and awareness on who he was and what he wants to be. John opens his heart and soul to our listeners in a way you might not expect. We end the interview dis...
Episode 27: Chase the Music for Hope, Strength, Love, and Joy
February 08, 2020 01:01 - 58 minutes - 80 MBClark Hodge escaped the confines of a corporate high-tech career to found and lead Chase the Music, a non-profit. Chase the Music gives children battling critical conditions hope, strength, love, and joy through the power of music. Very personal, original musical experiences from soloists to orchestral. From didgeridoo to dance. From bedside to auditorium. The shared experience of a Chase the Music premiere is inspirational and moving for all who take part and share in the event. Find out mo...
Episode 26: Sugar Mags living his dream at Nature's Farm Camp
December 31, 2019 17:56 - 58 minutes - 66.9 MBFrom an idyllic childhood outdoors (mostly on the golf course) to a runaway career in tech sales for EMC, Tim's life took a big turn in 2008. Realizing more income wouldn’t bring more happiness, Tim chartered into unknown territory, visiting hundreds of schools as a children’s book author and connecting kids to food with a Farm Truck. Ultimately, he began an overnight camp for a different experience for different kids - including those from the foster care community, refugees, and low income...
Episode 25: Ms. Minnesota Hockey 1996, Captain of the 2019 World Champion Minnesota Whitecaps - Winny Brodt-Brown
December 18, 2019 18:56 - 50 minutes - 57.7 MBWinny Brodt-Brown is the original pioneer of Women’s Hockey in Minnesota…Her list of accomplishments start with winning the 1996 Ms. Hockey Award and most recently winning the 2019 Isobel Cup as the Captain of the Minnesota Whitecaps! Winny’s accomplishments in Women’s hockey are second to none…Click on the Wikipedia link to learn more about Winny. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winny_Brodt-Brown
Episode 24: Where you start might not be where you finish!
November 25, 2019 23:00 - 1 hour - 86.9 MBSeven years in the tech industry? A kinesiology and English major? From the outside the path may not appear cohesive, but Jason Rathe relishes the opportunity to be the owner Field Outdoor Spaces – a two million dollar landscape company serving “small yard” neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. In 2001, Jason quit his career at a local telecommunications company to find a career he could pour himself into. After some reflection, he realized all the jobs he loved were outside jobs building thi...
Episode 23: Are you telling the truth? Are you working as hard as you can?
October 24, 2019 16:57 - 59 minutes - 82.3 MBReBecca Koenig Roloff is the 11th president of St. Catherine University. A North Dakota native, Roloff is a 1976 graduate of St. Kate's, chaired the University’s Board (1991–1995) and has been an active alumna. She also earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. During a distinguished career in the private and nonprofit sectors, she has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, commitment to inclusion and ability to achieve financial stability through fundraising, while at t...
Episode 22: Character Matters
September 27, 2019 21:19 - 57 minutes - 46.1 MBHost Craig Pratt sits down with Joe Cavanaugh, the founder and CEO of Youth Frontiers. Joe started this nonprofit organization 32 years ago. It has since evolved into one of the most successful organizations serving youth in the Midwest.
Episode 21: The Entrepreneur's entrepreneur -- a peek into building the Midwest tech ecosystem
September 18, 2019 18:54 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBCasey Allen is the consummate entrepreneur who’s dedicated his life’s work to helping those in the high-tech Enterprise SAAS space get to the next level of success…He shares his personal story of growth and his passion for the premier tech event in the Midwest otherwise known as “Enterprise Rising”. I hope you enjoy this episode and you can click on the links below to learn more about Casey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/learncasey/ http://enterpriserising.co/
Episode 20: Wiggle Your Toes
September 10, 2019 20:45 - 50 minutes - 70 MBAaron Holm lost both of his legs in a horrific accident on January 2, 2007. But what shattered his body failed to dent his courage, strength and infectious optimism. He’s been helping others regain their positive energy and spirit ever since. Armed with a laptop and a cellphone, Aaron started Wiggle Your Toes from his hospital bed. He educated himself, formed teams of friends and loved ones, and began charting a course to his new normal. Aaron returned home after only 19 days, joined h...
Episode 19: Mr. Law, the Starfish Thrower
September 08, 2019 17:25 - 1 hour - 97.9 MBAllan Law's entire life has been consumed passionately and unselfishly serving the poor, vulnerable, disadvantaged youth, and their families. Since 1967 he has volunteered more than 175,000 hours, and has personally spent almost $500,000 serving…. with love and compassion and delivering a message of hope to those most in need. Over the years he has received numerous awards, including the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Gold Medallion presented at the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also received recog...
Episode 18: You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need
September 04, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 94.7 MBAlan J. McMillan spent 30+ years in executive leadership with technology companies but discovered a new calling when he identified an unmet need—and that is helping 18 to twentysomethings understand what it takes to figure out what they want in career and in life, nail their education, get a job that is the first step in an amazing career, have the skills to maintain employability over the arc of their career, and develop a plan that can lead to their financial independence, without demoting...
Episode 17: Shower the people you love with love…
August 30, 2019 18:51 - 47 minutes - 37.9 MBAfter learning about a lack of places for homeless people to shower, a Sauk Rapids couple will begin running a mobile shower unit in June 2019. Nancy Dyson and Jason Jaques first brainstormed locations where homeless people could access showers after someone asked if they knew of places to go. "We just looked at each other like, 'I don't (know),'" Dyson said. "It was heartbreaking." The pair started a "quest" to find options in the area, but they found limited places wo...
Episode 16: Grabbing lunch with my Paisan at the Italian restaurant
August 26, 2019 05:00 - 58 minutes - 80.8 MBA former executive at Oracle, Dave Stephens shares a few of his personal observations about Larry Ellison the founder of Oracle Systems…From working at NASA on Monday’s at High School, attending Cal and watching his Dad do 3 startups and run 2 public companies…Dave gives an insider’s view of venture capital, the joys of entrepreneurship, how our search to find meaning in our professional lives sometimes leads us to spending 25 years building enterprise software. Which ultimately lead to Coup...
Episode 15: The debate on EQ versus IQ as we prepare the next generation of leaders
August 19, 2019 16:30 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBI hope you enjoy this episode with Dr. Lisa Snyder, Mr. Erik Sill and Ms. Erica Johnson…We dive into the deep end on areas of improvement for higher ed. The debate on EQ and IQ is heating up as employers look for different skills to build great enduring companies. If we expect different outcomes for our kids we need to invest time with the school districts, school board and teachers to help them transform the current experience. http://edvisions.org/ https://klassenperforma...
Episode 14: Trust, But Verify. Confessions of an imperfect CEO…
August 13, 2019 17:45 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBLuke Wyckoff, the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Social Media Energy, shares with Next Level Leader host, Craig Pratt the highs and lows of business ownership and speaks the gospel on the realities of leading an organization though turmoil and success. This comeback story is not only business related, but personal, with a surprise ending you don't want to miss. https://lukewyckoff.com/ https://socialmediaenergy.com/
Episode 13: From The Root: A Memoir and A Philosophy for Balance in Our World...
July 31, 2019 14:17 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBRecording Artist, Taja Sevelle, who signed her first record deal with the legendary artist, Prince, outlines a courageous plan for bringing the world into balance, and shares the reasons she put her music career on the “back burner” to start the nonprofit organization Urban Farming®. Her blueprint for balance includes recapturing trillions of dollars of wasted capital, and reallocating it into areas that will better serve both our economically challenged communities, as well as our economica...
Episode 12: Serve Their Heart. Lead with Love. Winning at Every Level.
July 18, 2019 19:24 - 55 minutes - 76.1 MBThe Ferris State University Athletics Department officially announced the appointment of Tony Annese as the school's 13th head football coach on Dec. 22, 2011. He will embark on his eighth campaign at the FSU helm in 2019. A proven winner at all of his previous coaching stops and highly-regarded across the country, Coach Annese took over the Bulldog program following three impressive years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College, which came on the heels of a highly successful...
Episode 11: Early economic childhood development is the key to thriving communities
July 15, 2019 15:53 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBArthur J. Rolnick is a senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He previously served at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis as a senior vice president and director of research and as an associate economist with the Federal Open Market Committee—the monetary policymaking body for the Federal Reserve System. Rolnick is working to advance multidisciplinary research on child development and social policy. His essays on public policy issues ha...
Episode 10: Mixed Blood + Fatherhood…
July 02, 2019 20:17 - 56 minutes - 77.6 MBI hope you enjoy episode 10 with Jack Reuler, the Artistic Director at Mixed Blood Theatre…Jack has held that job for 43 years and counting. USING THEATER TO ILLUSTRATE AND ANIMATE, MIXED BLOOD CHANGES ATTITUDES, BEHAVIOR, AND POLICY BY PAYING POSITIVE ATTENTION TO DIFFERENCE. The company’s predictably unpredictable work addresses injustices, inequities, and cultural collisions, providing a voice for the unheard—on stage, in the workplace, in the company’s own Cedar Riverside neighborhoo...
Episode 9: Work Hard. Be Nice. Earn Trust.
June 26, 2019 16:16 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBSally Mainquist grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa in a family of eight…This taught Sally how to communicate well, be flexible and negotiate with others. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Accounting and moved to Minneapolis where she met her husband, Kent Mainquist, while they both worked at Peat Marwick (KPMG). Sally's career reveals a diverse blend of executive roles. While External Reporting Manager at Graco, she discovered an interest in cost accounting leading to a d...
Episode 8: We Are All Criminals
June 21, 2019 15:11 - 58 minutes - 81.1 MBEmily Hunt Turner is a civil rights attorney in Minneapolis with a background in housing, architecture and public policy. She was born in St. Paul, grew up in Wahpeton, North Dakota and spent the last thirteen years in New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans. Prior to launching All Square, Emily worked on issues of prisoner reentry, fair housing and segregation for the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Her hope with All Square is to leverage her talent, privilege, and network to...
Episode 7: Impact 100 Sarasota
June 17, 2019 17:31 - 47 minutes - 65.8 MBThe vision to start a Sarasota Chapter of Impact 100 began in February, 2017. Jane Watt, the founding president, was incredibly inspired by her mother and sister's involvement in their Impact 100 Pensacola chapter. Jane shared her dream of founding a chapter in Sarasota with two of her close friends, Jodie Zerega and Tilly McFadden. Together, the three of them built the infrastructure that enabled her dream to become a reality. Impact 100 SRQ was officially incorporated in May 2017. ...
Episode 6: GIVING WoMN with Mary Frey, Melissa Johnson, and Lynn Giovannelli
June 14, 2019 18:57 - 51 minutes - 71 MBMary Frey, Melissa Johnson, and Lynn Giovannelli - 3 founding members of GIVING WoMN along with the current VP of the Board Susan Dowd sit down with host Craig Pratt to share the humble beginnings of GIVING WoMN. GIVING WoMN is the largest and most established women’s collective giving organization in the Twin Cities, and helped found the national women’s collective giving organization. Started by a few women discussing the concept in early 2004, the organization was established in ear...
Episode 5: Avenues for Homeless Youth
June 13, 2019 16:33 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBKatherine Meerse (Executive Director for Avenues) and Shrey Pothini (Student Volunteer) sit down with host Craig Pratt to discuss the current state of affairs surrounding LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in Minnesota…Katherine shines a light on the the following statistics: On any given night 6,000 youth in Minnesota are homeless and unaccompanied Overall homeless in Minnesota increased 10% between 2015 2018 African Americans, Native Americans and youth who identify as LGBTQ are over repres...
Episode 4: Addressing Hunger with Loaves and Fishes
May 16, 2019 20:14 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MBCathy Maes, the Executive Director at Loaves & Fishes, sits down with host Craig Pratt to share her personal and professional story of growing up in Minnesota…Cathy puts a spotlight on the hunger issue here in Minnesota and what organizations like Loaves and Fishes are doing to serve and protect those who need it the most. If you would like to learn more about Loaves & Fishes you can reach her at [email protected] or you can donate online athttps://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/donate....
Episode 3: Schneider-Stock
May 15, 2019 18:46 - 50 minutes - 70.3 MBMatt Bykowski and Nick Schneider sit down with host Craig Pratt and talk about their epic fundraiser called Schneider-Stock…Over the last 5 years they’ve helped raise awareness and significant money to help others with real life problems. What started as a crazy idea over a couple of beers has raised north of 6 figures for worthy causes inside and outside of Minnesota…They define what it means to live on the NEXT LEVEL! If you like this podcast and want to donate please use the Eventbrite at...
Episode 2: Living Life in the Arena (with Dave Payne)
May 03, 2019 15:43 - 51 minutes - 71.5 MBCraig Pratt sits down with Dave Payne a serial high tech entrepreneur based in Minneapolis...Dave describes his life in the arena while sharing the lessons he’s learned personally and professionally.
Episode 1: Jeff Tollefson
April 27, 2019 05:07 - 49 minutes - 68.1 MBHost Craig Pratt sits down with Jeff Tollefson, the Chief Strategic Growth Officer at Genesys works. They discuss his upbringing and journey to success.