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What does success really teach us—and what can we only learn by getting things wrong? Entrepreneur, author, speaker and mentor Myron Mullins joins Jim McCarthy for a candid conversation about the lessons learned over decades in business and life. Myron shares how an early mentor helped shape his career, how he helped grow a company's annual sales from $7 million to $28 million, and why working at least 100 hours a week for 14 years ultimately left him questioning his priorities. He also recounts the moment a boss humbled him, why he later apologized to former employees, and how his faith changed his understanding of leadership and service. The conversation moves beyond entrepreneurship into parenting, gratitude, legacy, and a powerful account of the last conversation Myron had with his father. A thoughtful episode about hard work, humility, second chances and using what we've learned to help others. Learn more about Myron at MyronMullins.com Need a Podcast Produced? Go to www.itsyourshow.co

Lyndsey McDonald didn't grow up dreaming of owning a plumbing company. In fact, she had no professional experience in the trades. After an unwanted divorce changed the trajectory of her life, Lyndsey rebuilt her career, moved her family from Oregon to Middle Tennessee and eventually took an even bigger leap: starting Plumbing Pro. Lyndsey joins Jim McCarthy to talk about rebuilding from difficult circumstances, starting a company in an industry she didn't know, surrounding herself with people smarter than her and creating a workplace designed to treat skilled tradespeople differently. They also discuss five weeks of PTO for plumbers, hiring and work ethic, why skilled trades can offer a path toward financial stability, the impact of AI on white-collar careers and why the trades may be entering one of their biggest periods of opportunity.

What happens when the career you've built for 15 years is suddenly no longer who you are? Donna Leggett spent years in accounting and financial leadership — and once listed sales and retail among the careers she never wanted.Today, she's doing both. Donna is the owner of Pearce Bespoke Nashville, helping clients build custom wardrobes while building an entirely new career and business of her own. In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Donna talks with Jim McCarthy about leaving the identity and security of a career she knew inside and out, moving to Nashville, learning how to sell, building a business from the ground up and the morning she sat at her desk wondering, “Who am I now?” They also get into why you shouldn't judge a customer by appearance, the psychology behind how we dress, why Donna refuses to “closet shame,” “budget shame” or “body shame” her clients, common mistakes men make with suits and why simply showing up can create opportunities you never expected. Sometimes changing careers isn't just about learning a new job.It's about discovering who you are without the old one. SPONSORS: ItsYourShow.co - Podcast and Short-Form Content Ideation and Production MuleTown Bikes :: MuletownBikes.comColumbia, Tennessee (on the square) Christian Brothers Automotive – Spring Hill :: www.cbac.com/spring-hill/Across from Walmart on Highway 31, Spring Hill, Tennessee

After more than two decades in law enforcement, Chris Morris probably didn't expect his next career to involve coffee — especially considering he originally hated the stuff. But years of overnight shifts, a search for lower-acidity coffee and a lot of experimentation eventually led to Peacemaker Coffee Company. Chris joins Jim McCarthy to talk about making the leap from law enforcement into entrepreneurship, learning the coffee industry, getting rejected by retailers, building a growing business and discovering opportunities in white-label coffee and co-packing. They also get into coffee roasting, caffeine, acidity, Amazon, commodity pricing, business margins and some memorable stories from Chris's years behind the badge.

Jacob Bourque joins Jim McCarthy for a conversation that begins with logistics, cold calling and building a referral-based business — and eventually becomes something far more personal. Jacob talks about spending years making cold calls, learning how genuine relationships create long-term customers, specialty tax strategies and why there may be no such thing as truly passive income. Then the conversation turns to losing his father unexpectedly at 26. Jacob shares the moments when he still wishes he could pick up the phone and call his dad, why he once dialed the old number just to see what would happen, and how his father’s emphasis on experiences rather than possessions left him with something far more valuable: memories. It’s a conversation about business, grief, family, resilience and remembering what all the work is ultimately for. Follow along at www.mmtbp.com SPONSORS: ItsYourShow.co - Podcast and Short-Form Content Ideation and Production MuleTown Bikes :: MuletownBikes.comColumbia, Tennessee (on the square) Christian Brothers Automotive – Spring Hill :: www.cbac.com/spring-hill/Across from Walmart on Highway 31, Spring Hill, Tennessee

For decades, skilled trades were often treated as Plan B while college was sold as the path to success. That equation may be changing fast. Electrical-industry sales professional Esteban Legarea joins Jim for a conversation about AI and the future of blue-collar work, college debt, learning through experience, building customer relationships, the realities of sales, and accidentally discovering a career he never knew existed. Esteban shares how he went from waiting tables to the warehouse floor and ultimately found a career he genuinely loves. SPONSORS: ItsYourShow.co - Podcast and Short-Form Content Ideation and Production MuleTown Bikes :: MuletownBikes.comColumbia, Tennessee (on the square) Christian Brothers Automotive – Spring Hill :: www.cbac.com/spring-hill/Across from Walmart on Highway 31, Spring Hill, Tennessee

What happens after an autistic child grows up? Meredith Pettigrew joins Jim McCarthy for a candid, funny and deeply human conversation about supporting autistic adults—and why a meaningful life can't always be measured by a traditional job or career. Meredith shares her journey from public-school teacher to leading Autism Career Training, an organization now expanding its mission toward Autism Community Training. The change reflects something Meredith has learned firsthand: every autistic adult is different, and success can look dramatically different from one person to the next. For some, that may mean employment with a job coach. For others, it may mean volunteering, communicating more independently, learning everyday life skills, participating in the community or simply experiencing something they've never done before. Jim and Meredith also talk about the teachers we remember for the rest of our lives, the challenges facing public education, why people sometimes feel uncomfortable around autism, community partnerships with Middle Tennessee businesses and organizations, and the importance of connecting with the person rather than the diagnosis. It's a conversation about autism—but it's also about dignity, purpose, community and what happens when somebody genuinely gives a damn. SPONSORS: ItsYourShow.co - Podcast and Short-Form Content Ideation and Production MuleTown Bikes :: MuletownBikes.comColumbia, Tennessee (on the square) Christian Brothers Automotive – Spring Hill :: www.cbac.com/spring-hill/Across from Walmart on Highway 31, Spring Hill, Tennessee

Is the American Dream of homeownership still alive? Mortgage professional Daniel Cruz joins Jim McCarthy for a candid conversation about today's housing market, interest rates, first-time buyers and why “it's always a good time to buy” isn't necessarily good advice. Daniel explains why your first house probably shouldn't be your dream house, what future buyers can do now to improve their chances of qualifying, when refinancing makes sense—and when it absolutely doesn't—and why homeownership can still be an important tool for building long-term wealth. But this conversation goes well beyond mortgages. Jim and Daniel dig into leadership, company culture and the difference between someone who calls themselves a leader and someone people actually choose to follow. Daniel shares why great leaders make every person feel valued, why communication matters so much and why there's a big difference between telling your team to “go” and saying, “Let's go.” Plus: Middle Tennessee's housing market, where the region may grow next, mortgages for self-employed business owners, credit scores, bad financial advice on social media and why the American Dream may not be dead—it may just look a little different. If you're thinking about buying a home, running a business or leading people, there's something in this conversation for you. (03:40) - What's Happening in the Mortgage Market? (04:28) - Why Middle Tennessee Is Different (05:02) - Daniel's Unusual Approach to Mortgage Lending (08:38) - What Are Mortgage Rates Doing? (00:00) - Finding the Right Mortgage Instead of Selling One (00:00) - Making Homeownership Work (00:00) - Creative Housing Solutions (00:00) - Trust, Sales and Doing What's Right for the Client (36:04) - You Don't Get to Declare Yourself a Leader (37:11) - Bad Leaders Say “Go.” Great Leaders Say “Let's Go.” (38:10) - What Great Leadership Actually Looks Like (40:12) - There Are No Small Roles in a Company (42:40) - Take Care of Your Employees First (45:14) - Communication Is Everything (48:25) - Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable (49:12) - Is the American Dream Still Alive? (50:00) - Why Homeownership Still Builds Wealth (50:48) - Your First House Shouldn't Be Your Dream House (52:03) - What Future Homebuyers Should Be Doing NOW (52:14) - Three Ways to Build Better Credit (54:36) - How Lenders Really Look at Your Finances (55:18) - Bad Mortgage Advice on Social Media (55:37) - When You Should NOT Refinance (57:21) - “It's Always a Good Time to Buy” Is Bad Advice (58:29) - Your House Is Out There (01:00:20) - Mortgages for Self-Employed Business Owners (01:04:12) - Where Is Middle Tennessee Growing Next?

Rebecca Jacobs of eSpaces sits down with host Jim McCarthy to break down the evolution of shared office space, from scrappy entrepreneurs fleeing coffee shops to corporate satellite teams needing turnkey suites. They talk about the “one price, one bill” model, building real community in office spaces, expanding into Atlanta, plus hard-earned leadership lessons from years in big-box retail. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories from Victoria’s Secret and Target, why people really leave companies, how eSpaces fills the gap between your spare bedroom and a $7,000/month lease, and why tone, culture, and the word “why” matter so much in business. 1:14 Rebecca’s retail journey: Victoria’s Secret, Target, Charming Charlie, and running a spa2:23 Inside Victoria’s Secret: fitting room stories and shocking product margins4:10 Jim intro: Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast and sponsor shout-outs4:58 What eSpaces is today: from co-working to private offices and suites8:04 Solving the “coffee shop / home office / $7K lease” problem10:59 Office sizes, flexibility, and plug-and-play space for growing teams14:20 Community vs. privacy: cafés, happy hours, and “your space behind a closed door”17:21 How members find each other: logos on doors, member portal, and events19:12 Key differentiators: locally owned, one all-inclusive bill, empowered managers22:37 Use cases: entrepreneurs, wealth advisors, lawyers, therapists, corporate hubs23:47 Podcast studios in eSpaces and Jim’s proposed ItsYourShow.co partnership26:01 Expansion plans: Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville and choosing the right locations33:29 Brand awareness as Rebecca’s main job: brokers, chambers, and networking40:26 Positioning: “your office, one price” and redefining co-working46:08 Leadership lessons from retail: fear-based management vs. leading with “why”51:00 Jim’s auto sales story: lost bonuses, unfair policy changes, and pushing back54:10 Knowing your worth: negotiating, asking questions, and not settling63:18 Why people really quit: “people leave people,” not just companies72:05 Rebecca’s personal and professional “why” and being “Mrs. eSpaces” in the community82:10 How eSpaces protects culture with a small, mighty team  eSpaces Website: espaces.com SPONSRS:  ItsYourShow.co (Jim’s production company) Website: ItsYourShow.co Mule Town Bikes / Muletown Bikes Location: Columbia, Tennessee (on the square) Christian Brothers Automotive – Spring Hill Location: Across from Walmart on Highway 31, Spring Hill, Tennessee BNI (Business Network International) is mentioned as a networking organization, along with various local chambers. Suggested Tags / Hashtags

In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with Nashville-area commercial real estate pro and project manager Katelin Ford (Four Points Business, SVN Excel). Katelin unpacks her journey from MTSU sports broadcasting to CMT live shows and Discovery’s HGTV/Travel Channel universe, through layoffs, COVID, and mandates, and into a new chapter helping business owners with property, books, and growth strategy. They dive into how TV production skills translate into CRE, why storytelling still matters, why AI should be a tool and not a crutch, and where opportunities are emerging in trades, storage, and service businesses. They also riff on music, live performance, what our kids are listening to, and why authenticity is about to be at a premium. Timed highlights:00:00 Broadcasting roots, project management, and BNI connections02:56 Switching from forensic pathology to sports broadcasting at MTSU03:56 First TV job in Charleston and sideline sports reporting08:03 Chicago: staffing Fox Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, and CMT14:39 Behind the scenes of CMT’s Hot 20, award shows, Crossroads, and more17:27 Layoffs on maternity leave and the shrinking TV job market23:28 Discovery/HGTV and the “Brady Bunch house” renovation project32:30 Managing Bon Jovi and Hank Jr. bars with Big Plain Holdings35:35 Growing up in a builder/agent family and moving into commercial real estate41:10 The AI debate: tool vs. crutch for creatives and marketers49:43 What Gen Z is listening to, and why kids are obsessed with Queen and Michael Jackson51:01 What Four Points Business actually does for trades and small business owners52:35 Why storage and trade services are in private equity’s crosshairs58:32 Owning your “hot mess” and building a personal brand anyway Listen to more episodes and apply to be on the show at:mmtbp.com Podcast production by:itsyourshow.co

Luxury spec building can make or break you. Nashville-area builder and developer Josh Hein of Hein Properties joins Jim McCarthy to unpack the real numbers, lender games, rezoning battles, and mindset it takes to survive – and win – in the high-end custom and spec home space. From Tennessee rock and septic nightmares to mid-construction refis and village-style master-planned communities, this is a masterclass for builders, investors, and serious real estate players. Timed Highlights:00:00 Luxury margins and the difference between spec and custom building02:00 Show intro, Jim’s role, and Mule Town Bikes shoutout04:45 Josh’s path from commercial construction in Michigan to Nashville luxury homes08:20 Scaling up: loan-to-cost ratios, volume, and getting to 90% LTC12:30 Tennessee realities: rock, septic, and six-figure site prep surprises15:30 The truth about draws, warehouse lines, and lender “gotchas”21:00 Mid-construction refinancing and using interest reserves to protect the asset24:20 Jim’s own construction loan war stories and using property as a business hub32:50 Rezoning gauntlets in Rutherford and Maury Counties and winning support45:40 The trades talent gap, generational shifts, and why blue collar is booming51:10 Hein’s philosophy: timeless design, being on-site, and obsessing over details59:10 Difficult buyers, warranty expectations, and protecting your brand1:01:55 Wellness spaces, saunas, golf simulators, and hidden speakeasy-style rooms1:06:25 Vision: non-cookie-cutter village-style master-planned communities1:11:05 Helping other builders: lenders, lessons, and what Josh would do again1:11:44 Where to find Josh and the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast online Guest website: heinproperties.comMore Episodes: mmtbp.comPodcast Studio: itsyourshow.co

Nashville wellness entrepreneur Scott Crosbie of Next Health joins Jim to break down the booming longevity space: GLP-1s, peptides, red light, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, hormone therapy, and why “wellness” is about to go as mainstream as gyms. From franchising and staffing two high-end clinics in the Gulch and Green Hills to practical advice on labs, protein, and biohacking for real people, this episode connects cutting-edge health tech with everyday Middle Tennessee life. Timed Highlights:0:00 Jim’s CPAP, sleep apnea, and surprise weight gain4:51 Scott’s path from motels and sign shops to Next Health franchisee8:28 Is wellness still “weird,” or officially mainstream?10:20 The wellness wave: how it will mirror the gym explosion13:26 Why GLP-1 drugs are poised for mass adoption19:52 Cost, Ozempic face, and smarter dosing strategies25:28 America’s food problem, RFK, and the rise of clean fast-casual30:38 Therapeutic plasma exchange: an “oil change” for your body32:01 Stem cells, regeneration, and doing it in the US39:21 Pills on pills: over-medication vs. prevention42:51 Hormone therapy, testosterone, and living better after 4047:20 Biomarker testing as your body’s dashboard53:08 Cryotherapy, red light, and hyperbaric oxygen explained58:18 Peptides, nootropics, and why people actually feel these1:03:05 How a first visit to Next Health usually works1:05:42 Expansion plans for Green Hills, Franklin, and Charlotte1:06:21 Where to find Scott and Next Health online1:06:33 Why this probably won’t be Scott’s last time on the show More Episodes: MMTBP.com Filmed and Produced by: ItsYourShow.co Guest links.Website: nexthealth.comScott on Instagram: instagram.com/swcrosbieNext Health Gulch: instagram.com/nh.nashvilleNext Health Green Hills: instagram.com/nh.greenhills

Entrepreneur and pastor to founders Nick Cavuoto joins Jim to unpack grit, faith, and rebuilding after losing a million dollars in revenue, from growing a megachurch to coaching owner-led businesses through their “evolution,” not crisis. Timestamps:02:40 – Middle Tennessee business owners “going through the mud”03:50 – Nick’s origin story: drug dealing, Jesus, and an entrepreneurial family tree06:10 – Entitlement, over-cuddling, and raising kids who “do hard things”10:30 – Teaching kids that life is hard and choosing your version of “hard”13:40 – From church growth to panic attack: when ministry becomes machine20:20 – Exiting ministry, going back to school, and graduating with a 3.824:40 – Church hurt, reconciliation, and separating calling from a building31:55 – 100 therapy sessions in a year and unpacking buried leadership trauma34:00 – The partner split, Covid, and losing $1M in recurring revenue35:30 – Encouraging 5 people a day for 35 days and the best sales week ever39:42 – “There is no crisis, only evolution” and re-framing entrepreneurial pain43:15 – The shocking truth: multi-million-dollar owners with no written goals45:20 – Clarity, 90-day sprints, and non-negotiables like family vacations48:45 – John Maxwell’s momentum principle and the bullet-train analogy51:52 – Scattered founders, “best intentions,” and the cost of staying vague55:35 – Future pacing: turning a scattered creator into a focused rainmaker1:02:20 – Divine nudges, obedience, and why doing the hard thing fast feels lighter1:04:27 – Asking for help, avoiding being an “ask hole,” and how to work with Nick1:05:44 – Where to find Nick and how to connect with the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast For more episodes → MMTBP.com Podcast Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/ Guest's website →nickcavuoto.com

Host Jim McCarthy sits down with fellow producer and host Nick Hiter (The Hit Streak, The Hit Lab) for a long‑form, no‑BS conversation on the business of podcasting, building real relationships, and leading with faith and family. They dive into everything from pricing your show like a pro and filtering guests, to why short‑form content exploded, what’s broken in traditional media, and how podcasting became the ultimate networking machine. Nick also opens up about parenting, youth sports, legacy, and why confidence is really the memory of success. If you’re a creator, business owner, or aspiring host who wants to treat your show like a real business, this episode is a masterclass wrapped in a real conversation. Timed Highlights: 01:45 Tony Soprano “thought leader” quotes03:25 Studio evolution and remote production09:38 Ally vs competitor mindset in podcasting11:00 What counts as a podcast in 2026?16:00 Why most podcasters quit early16:36 Frequency, consistency, and compounding25:59 The real cost per episode and guest fees33:00 Curating a 52‑episode season like a roster38:20 Podcasting as a legacy for your kids46:30 IRS, fear, and what we’re not questioning1:10:50 Parenting, baseball, and confidence1:21:10 18‑hour days, family time, and boundaries1:30:00 Drums, radio, and SiriusXM imaging For more episodes → MMTBP.com  Guest’s website → NickHiter.com Guest’s podcast → The Hit Streak Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/

In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with songwriter and artist Jared Rogers, nephew of Kenny Rogers, for a fast-moving, story-packed conversation. They dive into how AI is changing songwriting, why listeners will crave “imperfect” human music, what Jared learned directly from Kenny, and how artists can still stand out in a streaming, algorithm-driven world. Along the way, you’ll hear wild Vegas stories, faith and family moments, and a surprising Dolly Parton encounter at the studio. Timed Highlights0:00 James Taylor on the red carpet and the kindest people in music3:29 Opening the show from Christian Brothers of Spring Hill Studios and Mule Town Bikes7:45 Vegas radio, 9/11, and how a city pulls together in crisis22:57 AI, songwriting, and the coming hunger for human imperfection35:23 Kenny Rogers’ role in saving Jared’s life and shaping his career47:38 Story songs, streaming, and why artists are getting crushed on payouts59:16 Dolly Parton, signed guitars, and how true stars treat their fans1:10:40 Guilty pleasures: 90s music, Twilight, and comfort B-movies1:23:30 Marvel, DC, and why culture on a set (or in an office) really matters1:32:00 Jared’s project “American Ville on the Road” and where to follow him For more episodes → MMTBP.com Podcast Studio → https://www.itsyourshow.co/ Guests website →https://hallowedtruthrecords.com Guest Social Media → @jaredrogersofficial