Episodes
Jan. 13, 2025
Brett Gilliland: Building a Visionary Life and Wealth Advisory Legacy
In this inspiring episode of the Circuit of Success podcast, Brett Gilliland, CEO and founding visionary of Visionary Wealth Advisors, joins as a guest to share his journey from a small-town upbringing in Mattoon, Illinois, to creating a thriving wealth management firm. Brett reflects on his pivotal career moments, including his “Jerry Maguire” resignation and the leap into entrepreneurship that led to building a team united by shared vision and trust. His insights on following passion, overcomi...
Jan. 6, 2025
Greg Vetter: Turning a Family Recipe into a Multimillion-Dollar Business
In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Vetter, the visionary behind Tessemae’s and a trailblazer in the clean food movement. Inspired by his mother’s homemade dressing recipe, Greg and his brothers transformed a simple family tradition into the #1 organic salad dressing brand in the refrigerated space. From pioneering gum-free dressing bottling processes to creating the “fresh condiment” category and Whole30-approved bottled products, Greg shares how Tessemae’s became a household name. He als...
Dec. 30, 2024
Tracy Hannigan: Overcoming Insomnia and Building Sleep Resilience
In this episode of The Circuit of Success, Brett Gilliland is joined by Tracy Hannigan, a behavioral sleep medicine expert, to explore the science of sleep and how to overcome insomnia. Tracy shares her personal journey from battling chronic sleep issues to helping others regain restorative sleep and live healthier lives. Tracy is a qualified sleep therapist recognized by the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine and works with clients worldwide via Zoom. With a background in psychology, cognit...
Dec. 23, 2024
Althoff Catholic 2024 State Champs Austin Frazier and Byron Gettis on Leadership, Legacy, & Winning
In this episode of The Circuit of Success Podcast, Brett Gilliland welcomes Byron Gettis and Austin Frazier, the coaching duo behind Althoff Catholic High School’s remarkable football state championship. Byron, a former MLB outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and now the Offensive Coordinator at Althoff, shares his journey from pro sports to high school coaching. Alongside Austin, Althoff’s head coach, they discuss the drive, mentorship, and leadership it takes to build a championship-winning ...
Dec. 16, 2024
Saint Louis University Hall of Famer Creates Community Change with Lewis McKinney
On this episode of the Circuit of Success, Brett Gilliland welcomes Lewis McKinney, a former SLU basketball legend, Boston Celtics draft pick, and now a passionate advocate for affordable housing. Lewis shares his inspiring journey, from growing up as one of 12 siblings in a family with humble beginnings to achieving athletic greatness and later pivoting into a life of purpose-driven work. A devastating eye injury abruptly ended Lewis’s NBA dreams, but his resilience carried him through a profe...
Dec. 9, 2024
Mark Parrish: The McDonalds Franchisee Who Generated Over $75 Million
In this episode of The Circuit of Success Podcast, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Mark Parrish, a standout McDonald’s franchisee whose leadership has driven over $75 million in annual revenue across 18 locations. With a career spanning 25+ years, Mark is celebrated for his ability to scale operations, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and achieve consistent success in the quick-service restaurant industry. Mark shares his journey from starting at McDonald’s as a 12-year-old under h...
Dec. 2, 2024
What Separates A Good Team From A Championship Team | The Circuit of Success Podcast
In this inspiring episode of The Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with two dynamic leaders in sports, Skip Birdsong and Chris Bunting. As state championship-winning coaches, they share the principles that have shaped their paths to success—on the soccer field and beyond. From the importance of a solid foundation in family values to the discipline of preparation and fostering team trust, Skip and Chris dive deep into the culture of excellence they’ve built at Althoff Catholic H...
Nov. 25, 2024
Colt Knost: From PGA Tour Star to CBS Sports Game-Changer
On this episode of The Circuit of Success Podcast, Brett Gilliland welcomes Colt Knost, a name synonymous with golf excellence and passion. From his legendary amateur career, where he claimed the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links Championships, to his eight years on the PGA Tour, Colt’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Now a fan-favorite on CBS Sports and co-host of the hit Subpar Podcast, Colt shares his inspiring story of resilience and reinvention. Learn how injuries led him to tr...
Nov. 18, 2024
Amber Shaw: How to Shift Your Mindset and Build the Life You Desire
In this inspiring episode of The Circuit of Success, Brett Gilliland welcomes Amber Shaw, founder of The Wellness Revolution, business mentor for divorced moms, and motivational speaker. Amber shares her journey from a difficult divorce and career burnout to building a thriving coaching business that empowers women worldwide. Her journey began at 40, during a transformative yoga retreat, where she made the decision to pursue a life of purpose and fulfillment. Six months later, Amber launched her...
Nov. 11, 2024
Laura Sawyier: The Psychology of Style
In this enlightening episode of Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Laura K. Sawyier, a nationally recognized wardrobe and confidence consultant, TEDx speaker, and expert in the psychology of style. As the founder and CEO of LKS Styling & Consulting, Laura has dedicated her career to using evidence-based research in fashion psychology to help individuals and organizations enhance confidence, influence, and presence. Her work, featured in outlets like Fast Company and Travel +...
Nov. 4, 2024
Dan Abel Jr.: Chief Chocolate Officer & Willy Wonka of the Midwest
In this delectable episode of Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Dan Abel Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer of two iconic Saint Louis brands: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. Known by some as the “Willy Wonka of the Midwest,” Dan shares how he’s blending family tradition with modern business savvy to take the Abel family’s chocolate empire to new heights. As a second-generation chocolatier, Dan is passionate about honoring the legacy ...
Oct. 28, 2024
Maxine Clark: Journey from Build-A-Bear Founder to Changemaker
In this powerful episode of Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland welcomes Maxine Clark, the remarkable founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop and a true pioneer in the retail industry. Maxine shares her journey from a young girl inspired by her family’s resilience and her teachers’ guidance, to becoming one of the most influential leaders in retail. Since launching Build-A-Bear Workshop in 1997, Maxine transformed a simple idea into a globally loved brand, with nearly 500 stores and over 250 milli...
Oct. 21, 2024
Marco Buchbinder: The Power of Global Perspective and AI
In this episode of The Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Marco Buchbinder, CEO and founder of Ampliforce, a leading artificial intelligence firm that is transforming the modern workplace. Since founding Ampliforce in 2017, Marco has been pioneering AI-powered solutions to help businesses tackle complex operational challenges. He shares insights from his journey, leading startups and global ventures, and how AI is revolutionizing productivity by freeing people from tedious t...
Oct. 14, 2024
Laurie Singer: Healing Through Mental Health, Endurance, and Advocacy
In this episode of The Circuit of Success podcast, host Brett Gilliland welcomes Laurie Singer, a licensed psychotherapist, board-certified behavior analyst, and inspiring endurance athlete. As the leader of Laurie Singer Behavioral Services in Camarillo, California, Laurie has dedicated her life to helping individuals manage and overcome behavioral and mental health challenges. Motivated by personal loss, she has developed a unique therapeutic approach that combines behavioral and cognitive beh...
Oct. 7, 2024
Dr. Kelvin Adams: A Legacy of Faith, Resilience, and Leadership
In this powerful episode of the Circuit of Success Podcast, host Brett Gilliland engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Kelvin Adams, a visionary leader whose story is rooted in faith, resilience, and transformative leadership. Dr. Adams opens up about his humble beginnings in New Orleans, where he overcame significant challenges, and how those early experiences shaped his unwavering commitment to serving others. He reflects on the leadership principles that guided him through his ...
Sept. 30, 2024
Kira Andersen: Conquering Fear, Loss, and Resilience | The Circuit of Success
In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Kira Andersen, a wellness enthusiast, cancer fundraiser, and mother of three. Kira opens up about her passion for fitness, nutrition, and hope while sharing the deeply personal story of her husband’s battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She reflects on how her biggest fear of becoming a single mother unfolded in unimaginable ways, yet, through strength and faith, she kept her family and herse...
Sept. 25, 2024
Unlocking Elite Coaching with Keith Grabowski | The Circuit of Success Podcast
In this episode of The Circuit of Success, Brett Gilliland sits down with Keith Grabowski, founder of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, to explore the powerful lessons he’s learned from nearly three decades as a football coach and educator. From his roots as the son of a coach to his rise as a head coach and offensive coordinator at both the high school and college levels, Keith shares how his lifelong passion for football has shaped his journey. He talks about the importance of always being a ...
Sept. 25, 2024
From Wall Street to Spartan: Pursuit of Grit and Greatness with Joe De Sena | The Circuit of Success
Joe De Sena, the visionary Founder and CEO of Spartan, is no stranger to pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance. After building a multimillion-dollar construction business in college and conquering Wall Street with his own trading firm, Joe made a bold move to Pittsfield, Vermont. There, he nurtured his passion for ultramarathons, adventure races, and endurance events, ultimately leading to the creation of Spartan, a global obstacle racing phenomenon. What started as a small idea ha...
Sept. 25, 2024
Mindset Mastery in Business and Life with Zed Williamson | The Circuit of Success Podcast
In this episode of The Circuit of Success Podcast, host Brett Gilliland welcomes Zed Williamson, a business leader whose life experiences have deeply influenced his approach to success. Zed begins by sharing a powerful personal story about adopting his son from Russia during the chaos of Hurricane Katrina. This experience, filled with unexpected obstacles, taught him the importance of resilience and unwavering focus. Zed explains how the lessons learned from navigating this life challenge have s...
Aug. 26, 2024
Achieving a Future Greater than Your Past | Podcast with Ariana Jahja
Brett Gilliland’s recent appearance on the Glow Accelerator Podcast with host Ariana Jahja was a deep dive into the transformative power of clarity and resilience in both personal and professional life. Ariana, known for her expertise in psychology, neuro-informed coaching, and human resources, led the conversation with insights from her experience coaching over 300 individuals. She introduced the concept of “post-traumatic growth,” exploring how revisiting and reshaping the narrative of one’s p...
Aug. 19, 2024
Mastering Self-Discipline and Meditation with Giovanni Dienstmann
In the latest episode of the Circuit of Success podcast, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Giovanni Dienstmann, a renowned self-discipline coach, meditation teacher, and author. Giovanni, the creator of the highly popular meditation blog Live and Dare and author of best-selling books like Practical Meditation and Mindful Self-Discipline shares his insights on overcoming self-doubt and building lasting self-esteem. He delves into “wise confidence,” a balanced state where self-belief is harmoniz...
Aug. 12, 2024
Matt Clark | Optimize your Business Model
Host Brett Gilliland sits down with the remarkable Matt Clark to discuss the keys to business growth, personal development, and leveraging innovative tools like LinkedIn and AI. Matt Clark, a seasoned entrepreneur and thought leader, shares his invaluable insights on simplifying sales cycles, creating visual models for business success, and the power of strategic networking on LinkedIn. Matt Clark co-founded The Virtual Edge to help entrepreneurs charge more, work less and feel great about it. ...
Aug. 5, 2024
How Top Leaders Support and Elevate Others
Dr. Jubenville dives deep into how to thrive in a fast-changing economy, emphasizing the magic of building meaningful relationships and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. His stories are not just inspiring; they’re a roadmap to unlocking your full potential. From heartwarming reflections on his most pivotal moments to actionable advice on navigating the future, this conversation is a treasure trove of motivation and practical tips Dr. Colby B. Jubenville is a transformative figure in th...
July 29, 2024
Raise Your Game | Alan Stein Jr.
Alan Stein, Jr. is a keynote speaker, author, and coach. He teaches proven strategies to improve organizational performance in sports and business. Alan’s programs empower effective leadership, increase team cohesion, and develop winning mindsets and habits. As an internationally renowned basketball performance coach, he spent 15+ years working with the highest-performing players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant). Alan reveals how to utilize th...