Grant Moise, CEO of Dallas News Corporation, discusses the evolving media landscape and the vibrant economic growth of North Texas, highlighted by the upcoming 2026 World Cup and a strategic merger with Hearst. He emphasizes the importance of civic engagement, such as revitalizing the urban core of downtown Dallas, and shares a personal leadership philosophy centered on work ethic, mentorship, and team-oriented success. The conversation serves as a guide for business leaders to leverage community growth while maintaining a focus on people and proactive collaboration.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this episode of Business Decoded, host Ronnie Spellman interviews Philip Sarnecki, a multifaceted entrepreneur from Kansas. Sarnecki shares his journey from starting an insurance business at age 19 while in college to building a diverse business empire. He also discusses his significant career shift: selling his primary financial firms to run for Governor of Kansas, driven by a desire to apply his CEO-level business acumen to improve the state's economy.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Taylor Price, a prominent Gen Z financial activist and founder of Priceless Tay with one million followers in TikTok, joins host Ronnie Spellman to discuss her mission of eradicating global financial illiteracy. Drawing from personal health challenges and a background in a small family business, Price explains how she transitioned from pre-med to corporate finance to help her generation build wealth through simple, consistent investing strategies. She emphasizes the "Money Tree" mindset, the power of visual social media marketing for reaching younger demographics, and the importance of proactive financial planning to achieve independenceFor a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This interview features Jay Rodgers, founder of Business Owners Ed, discussing his organization's mission to help serious, committed entrepreneurs grow their companies. Rodgers emphasizes the critical role of small businesses in economic growth and details the structure of his program, which targets business owners with a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue and are serious about growth. He shares insights and anecdotes from his co-founders and impressive network of mentors—who are required to have scaled a company to "mega millions" and donate $5,000 to the non-profit—to illustrate how focused mentorship, accountability, and strategic thinking can lead to massive business growth, even for those starting with no cash.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

The interview with entrepreneur Rick Hopper, founder of the magnetic eyeglass holder Reader Rest, provides an in-depth look at his journey from a window guy to a business mogul with high brand visibility. He discusses securing a deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank, which led to massive success on QVC, selling out in five minutes during their first appearance for $300,000. Rick shares crucial business lessons about scaling production, the challenges of dealing with major retailers like Walmart and Walgreens, and the importance of diversification to avoid being controlled by one large customer. The interview concludes with the exciting news of Rick buying back his company, Reader Rest, after it was run into the ground by the acquiring company. He also plugs his other company, Wicked Good Adhesive, and discusses his involvement as a director at Biz Owners Ed, a free program for serious entrepreneurs in the DFW area.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This interview with Andy Dastur, President of North American Insurance Services, centers on two main themes: leveraging social media for massive organizational growth and the complexity of the U.S. healthcare industry. Dastur shares his experience of scaling his broker network from two to 4,000, attributing part of this success to a disciplined, platform-specific social media strategy, using Facebook for community engagement and YouTube for agent training. The discussion then shifts to the highly regulated and technology-lagging insurance sector, highlighting healthcare's immense cost as the U.S. government's largest expense, and concludes with a deep dive into the importance of entrepreneurial community involvement and giving back.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Rabbi Shaya Fox, CEO of the Dallas Area Torah Association (DATA), discusses his role as a spiritual mentor to business leaders, emphasizing the pursuit of spiritual health and life fulfillment beyond financial success. He runs the "Fulfilling Life Cohort" for CEOs, providing a safe space for both Jewish and non-Jewish leaders to discuss values, personal growth, and accountability, particularly regarding narcissistic tendencies and pride. The Rabbi uses his platform to encourage leaders to define their legacy by writing their own eulogy, focusing on sincerity and truth rather than wealth. The conversation also briefly touches on foundational aspects of Judaism, including the meaning of "Rabbi," the laws of Kosher, and the lessons of Hanukkah—namely, standing up for values and being a light to others.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

David Cabrales, an attorney and lobbyist, discussed his multifaceted career, highlighting three key areas. First, his legal work involved representing market makers in the securities industry, defending them against short-selling litigation by emphasizing their role in creating market liquidity. Second, he detailed his extensive involvement in Texas economic development as a former Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, promoting the state's business advantages and contributing to its status as a major economic powerhouse. Third, Cabrales explained the strategic legal efforts in Texas, including the creation of the Texas Business Court and the new 15th Court of Appeals, designed to offer specialized expertise and challenge Delaware's dominance as the corporate state of choice.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this third interview, host Ronnie Spellman and chef John Coletta, founding chef and partner at Cortina restaurant, delve deeply into the philosophy of quality eating, nutrition, and its connection to overall well-being. Coletta champions the use of superior, natural ingredients, arguing that prioritizing product integrity over immediate profitability leads to business success. The discussion covers how eating high-quality food can help manage issues like obesity, the importance of sourcing fundamental ingredients like olive oil and rice with integrity, and the universal appeal of approachable Italian cuisine. The conversation concludes with Coletta's leadership philosophy, emphasizing hiring "A-players," making oneself replaceable, and treating both staff and customers with care to create a loyal, positive business culture.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Jeff Bednar, founder of Profound Foods, returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of his farming business, from starting with $2.6$ acres in North Texas to pivoting his model. Initially driven by a personal health journey, Profound Foods grew into a collaborative food hub to help small local farmers and ranchers overcome the high costs of distribution and marketing. Bednar details the transition from aquaponics to hydroponics for greater consistency and viability, and the strategic decision to close the expensive greenhouse operation to focus on the profitable food hub, commercial kitchens, and event space. He shares valuable business lessons, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, cutting losses early, and seeking guidance from business mentors, including his mother, who is a business coach. Bednar also provides practical advice for aspiring farmers, highlighting the crucial need to establish a market and sales channel before growing a product.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this interview, Ronnie Spellman speaks with Anisha Holla, founder and CEO of Foodify, an automated matchmaking platform connecting small, local restaurants with food influencers. Holla explains that her business was founded on the principle of determining who she wanted to become, leading her away from pre-med and politics. Foodify addresses a crucial marketing need for small businesses by facilitating consistent, paid opportunities for local influencers at discounted rates, leveraging volume to benefit both parties. The platform vets influencers based on follower size, geographic fit, and engagement rate, ensuring local traffic for restaurants. Holla emphasizes that her success is rooted in finding the intersection of passion and income, and she shares business decoded tips for entrepreneurs, stressing consistency, listening to dissatisfied customers, and the need to be highly adaptive, as every day in entrepreneurship brings a new challenge.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this interview, Ronnie Spellman and Ken Malcolmson, President and CEO of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, discuss the chamber's strategy for driving regional prosperity and effective leadership. Malcolmson details how the chamber, which prefers to call its members "stakeholders," focuses on the entire Dallas region, working to address economic imbalances like the funding disparity between North and South Dallas. He highlights major, high-engagement events, such as the annual bus tour of the southern sector and the Transportation Crossroads conference. A central theme is collaboration among regional chambers and business organizations to amplify advocacy efforts on critical issues like infrastructure and quality of life. Malcolmson also shares leadership wisdom, emphasizing the power of showing up, building relationships, and the distinction between a mentor and a sponsor. He concludes by celebrating the richness of life derived from community engagement, not just financial wealth.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this second interview with Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission, the conversation focuses on the monumental effort to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Texas. Paul details the successful bid, which leveraged the region's strong infrastructure, corporate base, and central location. The discussion highlights the massive economic impact, now projected between $1.5 to $2.1 billion, and the intricate planning across numerous working groups, addressing everything from security and logistics to cultural awareness and local business engagement. Paul emphasizes the event's importance in elevating Dallas's global profile beyond traditional Western stereotypes and creating a lasting legacy, including the potential for a future Women's World Cup bid.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this Business Decoded episode, host Ronnie Spellman interviews Brittany Huber, Director of Collaboratives at Philanthropy Southwest, to explore the vital intersection of business, government, and the nonprofit sector. Drawing on her extensive experience in university development and her recent Master's in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University, Huber discusses the evolution of philanthropy, reframing it as universal "generosity" that transcends monetary donations to include time and talent. She shares insights into global philanthropic trends, the critical role of organizations like Philanthropy Southwest in shaping policy and fostering collaboration, and the importance of passion in fundraising. The conversation also delves into practical advice for entrepreneurs, highlighting the universal principle that "people give to people," a concept as true for startups seeking investment as it is for nonprofits seeking donations.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

In this episode of the Business Decoded podcast, host Ronnie Spellman sits down with Steve Reed, founder of Steve Reed Solutions, a life and executive coach with over 30 years of experience. Steve delves into the practical applications of the DISC personality assessment for business leaders, explaining how understanding the four temperaments—Dominant, Inspirational, Supportive, and Compliant—can revolutionize team management, sales strategies, and communication. The conversation extends beyond the boardroom, exploring how these same principles, along with concepts like the "Five Love Languages," can improve personal relationships and foster a healthy work-life balance. Steve shares powerful anecdotes and practical tips, from strengthening your core abilities to effectively separating work stress from home life, providing a holistic guide for leaders aiming to grow both professionally and personally.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

The interview with Dave Copps, co-founder and CEO of Worlds and an internationally renowned futurist, explores his decades-long journey pioneering the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence, including his past companies, Ingenium Corporation and Brain Space. Copps, who embraces risk and curiosity as guiding forces, emphasizes that entrepreneurs should "fall in love with the problem," not the solution, and strive to create a "market of one". His current venture, Worlds, is an end-to-end platform for "physical AI" that creates machines which can "see and sense the world like people do, but at a scale that's not humanly possible". Copps details Worlds' innovation in AI training, which automates a process that previously took months into minutes or hours, with real-world applications in safety (like steel manufacturing) and leak detection (in energy). He concludes by discussing the coming cognitive revolution accelerated by AI, stressing the importance of developing "meta skills" and fostering a company culture built on the Swahili concept of "Ubuntu"—where failure is recast as "iteration" and impossible goals are used to summon the "greatness of people".For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

The interview with Kevin Richardson, a veteran of the film and video game industries, traces his career from sharpening pencils for Sesame Street in high school to producing games for Mattel and pitching films to major studios like Netflix and Warner Brothers. Richardson details his early technical roles at major studios, including Industrial Light and Magic for Return of the Jedi and the core pre-production team for The Brave Little Toaster, and provides unique insight into the business of Hollywood. He emphasizes the need for creatives to focus on telling real, well-executed human stories, especially given the threat of AI taking over jobs and "coming for your imagination" by making slick, cheap content. Richardson breaks down the challenging film pitch process, which begins with an "ironic logline" (a two-sentence summary containing irony) to secure interest, and discusses the importance of securing production partners and having a rough film facsimile before entering the high-stakes meeting.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

The interview with Andrea Bednar, founder of AndreaBednar.com and a master integral coach, delves into her unique "backdoor" approach to helping businesses achieve discontinuous breakthroughs. Bednar's philosophy centers on the idea that people are often resistant to change despite professing a desire for it. Her work involves thought partnering and using systems thinking to guide clients out of their current mindset by asking simple, profound questions and exploring multiple future scenarios, including ones where things go unexpectedly well. A central tenet of her methodology is "conscious doing," which marries "being" and "doing" by making one's actions and habits more present and less automatic. Bednar details her journey of starting her own business out of necessity and the critical role her network played in her survival, stressing the importance of asking for help, especially for male entrepreneurs. She also discusses her book, Doing, and the Conscious Doing Cards—a tool designed to democratize leadership development by providing a year-long, affordable program in a pouch.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This episode features an interview with Megan Fenton, Center Manager for the Richardson Gymnastics Center. Fenton, a former elite gymnast and UCLA alumna who achieved a perfect ten on the uneven bars, discusses the unique nature of her city-run, high-quality gymnastics facility and the immense value of youth sports in developing successful adults. She shares her coaching philosophy, which focuses on a "longer game" approach to training that prioritizes health and deep understanding of skills to prevent burnout and fear, contrasting it with the early-peaking elite track. Fenton, who holds a degree in math and economics, emphasizes that the discipline, time management, goal-setting, and ability to accept criticism learned in competitive athletics are directly transferable and highly valuable skills in the business world, making student-athletes highly sought-after employees.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This interview with Paul Morinville, Executive Director of Spark US Innovation, focuses on the critical degradation of the U.S. patent system and its profound negative impact on entrepreneurship, national security, and global technology leadership. Morinville, an inventor himself, details how two major changes—the 2006 eBay v. Merc Exchange case, which made injunctions against infringers nearly impossible for startups, and the 2011 America Invents Act, which created the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) with an 84% patent invalidation rate—have stripped patents of their value as collateral for investment. He argues this has created an environment where large corporations are incentivized to steal from small inventors, causing the U.S. to rapidly lose its technological edge to countries like China, whose patent system is now superior. Morinville stresses the urgent need for legislative reform to restore strong patent rights, asserting that a fix could reverse the U.S.'s declining status in critical technologies within a decade.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com