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ConversActions: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bill Mitchell
ConversActions cuts through the noise with conversations that lead to action. Hosted by Bill Mitchell, each episode brings you unique perspectives, practical advice, and strategies from business leaders that you can apply to your own life or business. With over 20 years of experience connecting companies to growth opportunities, Bill Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge to the ConversActions podcast. His mission? To help you learn from the best and apply those lessons to your journey.
Latest Episodes
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- 2 days ago32 min
Dan Schneider on Legacy, Leadership and Letting Go
What does it actually take to walk away from a company you spent 25 years building? In this episode, Dan Schneider, President and CEO of WBD, sits down with Bill Mitchell just months ahead of his retirement to unpack the real-world mechanics of leadership succession; from the "moment of truth" that reshaped his management team, to the behind-the-scenes work of handing the reins to his successor.Dan shares how a servant-leadership culture he encountered early in his banking career became the blueprint for his own tenure at WBD, why he believes boards should stay strategic instead of getting into the weeds, and what it felt like the moment retirement stopped being a plan and became real. His philosophy? Keep the vision simple, surround yourself with good people, and then get out of their way.In this episode, we explore: A blue-collar upbringing, an unexpected lesson in servant leadership, and the mentor who shaped Dan's style The "moment of truth": taking a hard look at his own strengths and weaknesses after becoming CEO The courage it takes to rebuild a leadership team What a truly qualified nonprofit board looks like Building trust with a diverse, opinionated board The board's role in succession planning, and managing the "domino effect" of promoting from within What Dan sought in a successor, and how "the gray hair" signaled it was time The surprise that caught Dan off guard mid-transition - and getting choked up in front of his staff What the handoff really looks like behind the scenes, a year before stepping away Three lessons Dan would pass on to any business owner or founder Why a 3-year vision beats a 5-year plan, and how much latitude a successor should have to change course Pride, stewardship, and Dan's "mission accomplished" momentResources Mentioned:WBD: https://www.wbd.org
- 2 weeks ago30 min
Alex Ray on Rhythm, Healing, and the Art of Living in Flow
Alex Ray on Rhythm, Healing, and the Art of Living in FlowWhat if the key to finding balance isn't balance at all – it's rhythm? In this episode, Alex Ray, founder of Root Rhythm, takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of percussion, sound healing, and what it truly means to live in sync with yourself.From drumming on a school drumline to teaching tongue drumming (yes, tongue drumming) to students around the world, Alex has spent a lifetime exploring how rhythm connects us to ourselves and to each other. Whether she's leading online masterclasses, running an intimate healing instrument shop in Minnesota, or tracking six years of her own personal rhythm cycles, Alex brings a grounded, joyful wisdom to everything she does.In this episode, we explore: Rhythm as a way of understanding life's cycles Alex's winding path into world percussion Where the tongue drum really comes from How drumming bridges mindfulness and the natural world Finding balance by living in rhythm instead Building real connection through online teaching Running a creative business with your life partner Tracking six years of personal rhythm cyclesResources Mentioned:Root Rhythm: https://rootrhythm.com/ Root Rhythm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYBwZ-EiSYaG5wwSQX-X7-Q
- Oct 8, 202628 min
Brandon and Erin Clare: Meat Lockers, Community Trust, and Building a Legacy
Brandon and Erin Clare, owners of JM Watkins Meats in Plum City, Wisconsin, unpack what it really means to run a family-owned, USDA-certified meat processing facility – commonly called a ‘meat locker’ - serving farmers, families, and communities across the Midwest.From a veterinary career and managing construction sites to processing 30 head of beef a week in a brand-new 10,300-square-foot facility, the Clare's share how grit, grant funding, and genuine community connection built something worth passing down to the next generation.In this episode, we explore: From small-town roots to owning a meat locker Navigating grant funding to fuel major expansion How local processors compete against industry giants What USDA certification means for quality and trust Consumer trends shaping the future of local meat Lessons for family business owners on growth and operations Building a legacy with the next generationResources Mentioned:JM Watkins Meats: https://www.jmwatkinsmeats.com/Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors: https://wi-amp.com/
- Sep 24, 202631 min
Matt Curtis on Choral Tracks, Choral Education, and Building a Business Around Music
What if the secret to a better choir wasn't just more rehearsals, but smarter practice at home? In this episode, Matt Curtis, founder of Choral Tracks and former tenor and assistant music director for the world-renowned ensemble Chanticleer, reveals how a choir kid from La Crosse, Wisconsin, turned a summer experiment into one of the most influential tools in choral music today.From recording Gregorian chant tracks as a college junior to navigating explosive growth during COVID, Matt shares how Choral Tracks is empowering singers of every level to practice with confidence, artistry, and joy, and where the platform is headed next.In this episode, we explore: From choir kid to professional singer and entrepreneur Recording Gregorian chant tracks as a college side hustle How Choral Tracks helps singers practice outside of rehearsal What artistry really means in choral music Why healthy singing matters for amateur choir members How COVID sparked 150% year-over-year growth for Choral Tracks Using AI tools to manage over one million MP3s in the catalogResources Mentioned:Choral Tracks: https://choraltracks.com/ Chanticleer: https://www.chanticleer.org/
- Sep 10, 202630 min
Matt Curtis on Building Capella: Culture, Community, and Creating an Experience
What does it take to turn a historic 1886 church into a thriving wedding and events business? In this episode, Matt Curtis, founder of Capella Weddings and Events, sits down with Bill Mitchell to share how a background in music, an interest in real estate, and a willingness to take on a new challenge led him into the hospitality industry.Matt shares what he’s learned about creating a seamless customer experience, building a team culture around hands-on leadership, and financing an ambitious renovation project. He also explains why patience and persistence matter when building a reputation, and how Capella’s new Sweet Beats Jazz and Dessert Lounge is helping turn the venue into a year-round destination for the La Crosse community.In this episode, we explore: From professional singer to weddings and events entrepreneur Transforming an 1886 church into a thriving venue How changing trends are reshaping modern weddings Serving Millennial and Gen Z couples and families Turning history and location into competitive advantages Creating seamless events through detail and great staff Building culture through hands-on, lead-by-example leadership Financing a major project and planning for uncertainty Becoming a gathering place for the local community Creating year-round revenue with a jazz lounge Turning today’s guests into tomorrow’s wedding customers Courage, persistence, patience, and embracing entrepreneurial riskResources Mentioned:Capella Weddings and Events: https://www.cappellaweddings.com/
- Jul 9, 202635 min
James Hillmeyer on Honeybees, Hard Work, and the Partnerships That Feed America
What if one of the most important parts of our food system worked almost entirely while the rest of us were asleep? In this episode, James Hillmeyer, co-owner of LB Werks and a second-generation commercial beekeeper, takes us inside the demanding world of commercial pollination. He shares how healthy partnerships with growers, year-round hive nurturing, and a relentless commitment to customer service keep bees, farms, and America's food supply thriving despite rising environmental challenges.In this episode, we explore: Growing up allergic in a beekeeping family How commercial pollination really works behind the scenes Following bees across America throughout the year Why grower relationships matter as much as hives The biggest threats facing honeybee populations today Why young people should still consider beekeeping Customer service lessons every business owner can apply Building a rewarding life through agriculture and familyResources MentionedWisconsin Honey Producers: https://wihoney.org/ WI Honey Producers Resources: https://wihoney.org/resources/ Youth Scholarship: https://wihoney.org/inside-whpa/youth-beekeeper-scholarship-program/ American Honey Producers Association: https://ahpanet.com/
- Jun 25, 202627 min
Building Trust, Community Legacy, and Seven Automotive Locations
What does it take to build a business people can count on when their plans fall apart? Kohl and Jessie Adamson of Cordell's Automotive have turned car trouble into community trust, expanding from one inherited shop to seven locations across Wisconsin and Minnesota.In this episode, they share how they've built a business on "old school excellence" while navigating industry technology changes, creating a culture where team members work "in the trenches with the wrenches," and investing deeply in small-town communities through hands-on philanthropy that goes far beyond writing checks. Their motto? Be Quick, be clear and be kind. In this episode, we explore: From one location to seven automotive shops Being there when customers need you most Working on the business versus in it Technology changes that customers don't realize exist Community investment philosophy and approach Communication across multiple locations Hard lessons from expansion and COVID challengesResources MentionedCordell's Automotive: https://www.cordellsauto.net/Onalaska YMCA Child Watch Center: https://www.laxymca.org/locations/houser-branch
- Jun 11, 202631 min
Food Videography, Visual Storytelling, and Finding Authentic Connection Through Content
What happens when passion meets practicality in the content creation world? In this episode, Steve Ray, Head of Brand Marketing at Foodist Films, takes us on an unexpected journey from driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to building a successful food videography business – and ultimately pivoting back to what truly matters.From humble beginnings filming farmers markets in Austin, Texas, to creating content for household names like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Siete Foods, Steve and his wife Alexandra built Foodist Films into a thriving visual content agency. But as the industry shifted toward six-second ads and algorithm-driven content, they found themselves further from the authentic food storytelling that originally inspired them. Now, they're using their video expertise to help people connect with something entirely different – the meditative world of tongue drums – rediscovering the joy of creating content that genuinely helps people.In this episode, we explore: Meeting on the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and "Hot Dog High" training Building a food video business from a roommate's kitchen Standing out from visual clutter: why authenticity matters more than trends What food brands misunderstand about video content and the importance of trust The evolution from recipe videos to six-second ads and losing the creative spark Finding optimism through authentic connection Lessons on intuition, technology adoption, and knowing when to say no to opportunitiesResources MentionedFoodist Films: https://foodistfilms.com/team/ Root Rhythm: https://rootrhythm.com/ Root Rhythm sample YouTube video, Tongue Drum Tips for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vksWCdXUncM&t=156s Information on Oscar Meyer Wienermobile drivers (Hotdoggers): https://omwienermobile.com/meatthehotdoggers.html
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About ConversActions
ConversActions cuts through the noise with conversations that lead to action. Hosted by Bill Mitchell, each episode brings you unique perspectives, practical advice, and strategies from business leaders that you can apply to your own life or business. With over 20 years of experience connecting companies to growth opportunities, Bill Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge to the ConversActions podcast. His mission? To help you learn from the best and apply those lessons to your journey.
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