As 2025 comes to a close, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien reflect on an incredible year of conversations on Chess Not Checkers. From inspiring entrepreneurs to community leaders, this episode revisits some of the standout moments, lessons, and stories that shaped our year.
This episode is a celebration of growth, community, and the meaningful connections that make Chess Not Checkers more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for insight and inspiration. Join us as we look back on 2025 and set our sights on another year of engaging conversations and impactful stories.
Originally Released April 22nd, 2025
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Reed Moore, a successful entrepreneur and real estate expert. Reed shares his journey from military service to building a thriving real estate empire with RMG Real Estate. He discusses the importance of personal development, resilience, and learning from failure, highlighting how these lessons shaped his entrepreneurial path.Reed also talks about the challenges of scaling a business, managing a growing team, and creating a culture that prioritizes both skill development and strong relationships. He touches on key topics like mentorship, the value of building a mission-driven company, and the mindset needed to succeed in both real estate and entrepreneurship.Reed’s story is a powerful reminder that success is built on hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to learning. Whether you’re starting your own business or growing an established venture, Reed’s insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and real estate.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien chat with Rob Henry about personal growth, parenting, resilience, and life-changing experiences—including his journey with ayahuasca. Rob shares stories from raising his daughters, facing challenges, and finding clarity through vulnerability.
They discuss aligning expectations with reality, giving back, and building resilience in life and business. Packed with practical insights, this episode is full of lessons to help you grow, embrace challenges, and unlock your potential.
Originally Released February 11th, 2025
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Jordan Tampien and Keith Riddle sit down with Joel Barbour, co-founder of The Great PNW, to discuss his journey from graphic designer to multi-business entrepreneur. Joel shares how his creative passion, strategic thinking, and adaptability helped him build successful ventures across different industries, from branding to real estate. They explore the challenges of balancing multiple businesses, the importance of staying true to your values, and how to find harmony between professional success and personal life.
Learn more about thegreatpnw.com at their website
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Chad “Hooty” Huetter to talk bull riding, craftsmanship, and navigating the housing world. Chad shares stories from the rodeo that taught him grit and resilience, dives into the philosophy behind his woodworking and construction projects, and explores the challenges of homeownership and the housing market.
The conversation also touches on gratitude—how appreciating relationships, opportunities, and even challenges can shape perspective and fuel growth. Chad’s journey is a reminder that whether you’re building homes, careers, or life experiences, resilience, intention, and thankfulness go a long way.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown to discuss her journey from rural Illinois to leading the city. They dive into her vision for Spokane, tackling challenges like homelessness, housing, and community safety, while also exploring opportunities for economic growth and cultural development.Mayor Brown shares initiatives like daytime navigation centers and street outreach teams, and emphasizes the importance of community involvement in shaping Spokane’s future. She also highlights the city’s creative economy, small business support, and downtown revitalization efforts.Tune in to hear how Mayor Brown and the hosts discuss building a connected, vibrant, and inclusive Spokane—proving that thoughtful leadership and collaboration are key to playing “Chess, Not Checkers.”
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane native Brandon Michielli to explore his journey through entrepreneurship, business strategy, and scaling a family company. Brandon shares how he navigated challenges with his family’s trucking and landscaping business, Circle M, overcame regulatory hurdles, and implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to streamline operations and drive growth.
The conversation also touches on the importance of community, personal growth, and creating a lasting legacy. Brandon’s story is a mix of resilience, strategic thinking, and the drive to compete while making a meaningful impact in the Northwest. Tune in for practical insights, candid stories, and lessons on how perseverance and smart systems can propel both businesses and personal goals forward.
Learn more about Circle M at https://circlemlandscape.com/
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien dive into the entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on the challenges, setbacks, and lessons that come with building businesses. Jordan shares insights from his new book, Stacking Bricks, detailing how he navigated financial hurdles, scaled ventures, and developed the resilience needed to keep moving forward.
Keith and Jordan touch on the value of mentorship, learning from failure, and creating a legacy for future generations. Jordan’s approach of “stacking one brick at a time” offers practical guidance for entrepreneurs facing tough decisions and unexpected obstacles. Keith and Jordan also discuss how past experiences, like his first book Living at Zero, shaped his mindset for tackling financial and business challenges today.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Emilie Cameron, President and CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, to discuss the ongoing efforts to keep Spokane’s downtown vibrant and thriving. Emilie shares how the DSP leverages the Business Improvement District, community engagement, and strategic initiatives to enhance public safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality in the heart of the city.
The conversation explores the impact downtown has on the wider Spokane community, the importance of inclusive events, and the policies shaping the city’s growth. Emilie also reflects on her personal journey and passion for civic engagement, offering insight into how community collaboration can transform neighborhoods.
Tune in to learn how Spokane’s downtown is evolving into a hub for culture, business, and connection—and how residents can play a role in its continued success. For more information on upcoming events and ways to get involved, visit downtownspokane.org.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane local Sheldon Jackson to discuss the city’s pressing challenges around homelessness and urban development. Sheldon shares his perspective on how Spokane can balance economic growth with social responsibility, including insights into the push for a Treatment First approach to homelessness.
They dive into the current state of downtown, the need for community accountability, and initiatives like the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at engaging local leaders and securing federal support. The conversation highlights the role of collaboration, innovative solutions, and long-term vision in shaping a Spokane that’s safer, more equitable, and poised for growth.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Chris Batten, a Spokane native and key figure in the city’s downtown revitalization. Chris shares his journey from serving in the Navy to navigating the complexities of urban development, including managing properties, understanding legislation, and tackling the unique challenges of Spokane’s downtown.
The conversation explores how policy, creativity, and persistence intersect in real estate development, as Chris discusses past projects and his vision for the future growth of the city. Tune in to hear his insights on building vibrant communities, overcoming obstacles, and shaping the Spokane skyline.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Rob Brewster, a seasoned developer known for revitalizing historic buildings in Spokane. Rob shares his journey through urban development, discussing the challenges of outdated zoning laws, navigating city approvals, and the balance between economic growth and community needs.
The conversation also explores Spokane’s infrastructure, the future of housing affordability, and the opportunities for smarter, forward-thinking development. Rob offers candid insights into the obstacles and possibilities of shaping Spokane’s urban landscape, highlighting both the city’s potential and the work still needed to unlock it.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane City Council Member Michael Cathcart to discuss local governance, development, and community engagement. Michael shares his journey into politics, insights on balancing urban growth with preserving Spokane’s character, and strategies for addressing affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien have a candid conversation about navigating life’s challenges and finding fulfillment. They discuss how adapting to change, embracing setbacks, and redefining success can help both entrepreneurs and everyday people thrive. Through personal stories and reflections, they highlight the importance of perseverance, meaningful relationships, and pursuing purpose in the face of uncertainty.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Kristen Ward, the creative force behind Spokane’s The Ivory Table Catering. Kristen shares her journey from aspiring musician and singer to running one of the city’s premier catering companies.
She talks about how her early experiences in music and travel shaped her creativity, how a move to Spokane led her to discover a passion for food, and how an unexpected opportunity at a café sparked the birth of The Ivory Table. From there, she pivoted into high-end catering for weddings and corporate events, building a team that thrives on resilience, learning, and shared ambition.
Kristen also reflects on the lessons learned along the way, her approach to leadership and hiring, and her vision for the future of The Ivory Table, which may include expanding into lifestyle and design ventures.
To learn more about Ivory Table, check out ivorytable.com.
On this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Blue Stiley, Spokane native, international model, motivational speaker, and black belt in karate, to talk about navigating life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and perspective.
Blue shares how mentorship, self-reflection, and building a “confidence team” have helped him turn rejection and failure into opportunities for growth. From lessons learned in martial arts to life experiences in business and personal development, he dives into practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and staying motivated.
The conversation also explores the importance of authentic connections, creating lasting impact, and living intentionally. Whether it’s through mentoring, parenting, or leading with integrity, Blue shows how small, thoughtful actions can ripple into meaningful change.
Learn more about Blue at bluestiley.com
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Brynn MacLennan, CEO and co-founder of Slate, to talk about her journey building an electric flosser that makes oral care simple, effective, and dentist-approved.
Brynn shares the story of how Slate started, from early ideation in 2019 to launching the product in 2022, and the challenges of scaling a consumer product business. She dives into lessons learned about innovation, leadership, team culture, and navigating unexpected hurdles like COVID-19.
This conversation isn’t just about floss—it’s about creating products people actually use, leading with purpose, and turning ideas into businesses that last. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or just someone who hates flossing, Brynn’s insights are practical, inspiring, and surprisingly fun.
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, hosts Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Spokane native and professional boxer Rick Welliver to talk about the power of boxing, community, and giving back. Rick shares his journey from 17 pro fights to opening his own gym, and how he’s using the sport to mentor Spokane’s youth and bring people together.
From reviving Spokane’s boxing scene to creating a space where young people can build confidence, discipline, and resilience, Rick shows that boxing is about much more than what happens in the ring. He also discusses the upcoming Brick West Boxing event on September 6th—a day to celebrate local talent, community, and positive change.
00:00 Intro
00:44 Rick's Early Life and Boxing Career
02:09 Reviving Spokane's Boxing Scene
03:29 Family Legacy in Boxing
06:51 Economic Impact of Boxing in Spokane
09:29 Boxing as a Character Builder
12:50 Challenges and Outreach Programs
18:53 Community Events and Future Plans
20:59 Spokane's Growth and Challenges
35:30 The Importance of Helping Others
38:51 Community Inclusion and Challenges
39:37 The Inclusive Nature of Boxing Gyms
40:24 Economic and Social Issues in Spokane
41:28 Proposed Solutions for Spokane's Problems
45:31 The Importance of Community Involvement
54:33 Revitalizing Spokane's Neighborhoods
58:54 Reflections on Policy and Development
01:11:01 Upcoming Boxing Event Details
01:12:16 Closing Time
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith and Jordan sit down with Brennon Poynor, owner of Spokast!, to talk all things podcasting. Brennon shares how he started Spokast! during the podcasting boom of COVID, helping people launch their own shows with ease.They dive into the challenges of producing a podcast—from booking guests to managing tech—while keeping the focus on great conversations. Brennon also talks about why some podcasts thrive while others fizzle, and how Spokast! helps creators stay consistent and grow.Whether you’re curious about starting your own show or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the world of podcasting, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and tips for navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Brennon00:49 – How Brennon Got into Podcasting01:18 – How Podcasts Have Evolved02:25 – Podcasting: Challenges & Opportunities03:56 – Why Consistency Matters15:10 – Brennon’s Personal Motivation16:27 – The Power of Conversations24:49 – Moving into Video Podcasts30:40 – What’s Next for Podcasting33:05 – Gonzaga Basketball Podcast Highlights33:28 – The Spokane Podcast Scene34:48 – Common Podcasting Struggles35:58 – The Therapeutic Side of Podcasts38:55 – The Future of SP Cast41:37 – AI’s Role in Podcasting48:47 – Staying Human in a Digital World59:45 – Tips for Starting Your Own PodcastLearn more at www.spokast.com
In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Luc Jasmin to talk community, policy, and the challenges shaping Spokane today. Luc shares his journey from Boston to becoming a first-generation Haitian American leader in the Pacific Northwest, and how he got into politics through early childhood education advocacy.
They dive into the realities of housing, workforce, and regional development, and how creative, collaborative solutions can make a real difference. Luc also shares how government can better meet community needs and the power of building consensus to drive change.
If you care about Spokane, policy, or just want to hear a thoughtful conversation about improving communities, this episode is for you.