Adam Braatz was struggling. Deployed in Iraq, he was grappling with the purpose of it all. Was he providing value? Did his compatriots back home respect his efforts abroad? The questions remained for days, weeks, months—was it all worth it? Was this what he was meant to do? Clarity eluded him, that is until one fateful moment—a moment in which he witnessed his worth, his impact. Ever since, Adam has lived with a transparent purpose, informed by what happened that day, and defined by what matters...
Nov 10, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 22
For most of us, our lives are almost pre-defined. Who can relate to the following? Graduate high school; move on to college; find your professional "calling"; graduate college; hit the real world with a job in your chosen field. This is the safe path, tried and true by many who came before us. And, it works—for most. Yet, the rare among us, those like Megan Littel, break the mold. See, Megan followed this journey, step-by-step, right up until that final piece. Instead of finding a job that lever...
Nov 03, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 21
One night, Andy Miller took a breath and realized a change was needed. He was pouring everything he had into his duties as an academic advisor and football coach—his workweeks stretching to 80+ hours. Yet, Andy's most important duty—being a father—wasn't getting the attention it required or deserved. Something had to give. But what, exactly? Advising and football were who Andy was...or so he thought. At the hands of his rosary, Andy had his "light bulb moment"—despite helping his students discov...
Oct 06, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The problems we face are simply opportunities to make something better. This is the mindset of the entrepreneur. This is the mindset required to create something out of nothing. This is the mindset possessed by Lauren Nelson . Only a few months ago, Lauren noticed that there should be a better way to align willing volunteers and donors with organizations in need of their support. So, she did something about it. She saw the opportunity from the problem and created something better. The product of...
Sep 15, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 19
When we think of a backyard barbecues, most wouldn't peg them as hotbeds for new ideas, deep conversations, or chance encounters turned business partners. But, fortunately for Liz Carver, this backyard barbecue—celebrating a friend's birthday three summers ago—didn't get the memo. It was there, by way of one conversation, that the course of her life's journey was permanently transformed. Liz's love for the Enneagram—a method of self-identification that prioritizes personal growth—started by chan...
Sep 01, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Angela Lang saw a hole that needed to be filled in our communities. But, she didn't know if she was the right person to fill it. The decision to lead an organization is accompanied by many things, doubt certainly being one of them. Yet, despite Angela feeling unprepared and under-qualified, with a strong network of supporters by her side, she eventually jumped at the opportunity to lead BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing for Communities), a Milwaukee-based group that works to ensure a high quality o...
Aug 18, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 17
While at a rowing competition a little over two years ago, Will Bott serendipitously had his light bulb moment. Why wasn't there anything on the market that let you know when your friends or colleagues are around so that you can meet up in real life? Too often, thought Will, we miss opportunities to have a good time with others simply because we don't know they're close by. So started the journey to launch bLinkup - an app that allows you to discover who you know in your area, giving you the opp...
Aug 04, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Resilient. Remarkable. Rare. These are just some of the words that are top of mind when describing the life of Dwayne Marks. His life has been a winding road, so full of experiences that we couldn't possibly squeeze it all into one episode - hence, we split his journey into two parts. This is his story. --- In Part 2, as Dwayne matures, his focus and passion move from cloudy to clear. With the support of his network of friends, family, colleagues, and mentors, he begins to confidently explore hi...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Resilient. Remarkable. Rare. These are just some of the words that are top of mind when describing the life of Dwayne Marks . His life has been a winding road, so full of experiences that we couldn't possibly squeeze it all into one episode - hence, we split his journey into two parts. This is his story. --- In Part 1 , we get to know Dwayne. His upbringing, his motivations, his interests, his defining moments. Growing up in East Chicago, Indiana, life wasn't easy. Yet, through the highs and low...
Jul 21, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Moments - Journeymen's ongoing series of digestible episodes highlighting the events that define our lives. Like many, Rick Carlson lost his job as a result of the 2008-2009 recession. However, his approach to his newfound circumstances was rather unique and remarkably powerful. Through thick and thin, Rick understands the importance of always keeping one eye forward, always considering what's next. A strong mindset coupled with the willingness to put 'we' over 'me' helped Rick not only get thro...
Apr 14, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Making a change is difficult. It's anxiety-inducing, stressful, and full of uncertainty. Yet, more often than not, as Henry Lynch has long understood, it is necessary. We must have the courage to take control of our situation, and improve it when the opportunity arises to do so. Henry embodies these truths - changing his focus of study at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse not once, not twice, but FOUR times, as well as his career path, all before the age of 26. To some, such an approach may a...
Apr 07, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Moments - Journeymen's ongoing series of digestible episodes highlighting the events that define our lives. In this, the premier episode, your hosts, Jacob Carlson and Ian Buchanan, share how their journeys are being transformed and shaped by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While sacrifices are certain, they attempt to take a step back and look at the bigger picture - how does this moment in time offer the opportunity to elevate themselves and their chosen path.
Mar 20, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We all experience it. We all feel it. We all want to escape it when it rears its head. Burn out. Gabriel Douglas is no exception. Growing up in a faith-based family, attending a Christian elementary, middle, and high school, upon graduation he simply could not wait to see what else was out there to explore. Yet, his faith never wavered, and after a much-needed, but brief hiatus from ministry, his true passion emerged - or, perhaps 'resurfaced' is a more appropriate description. Gabriel now sprea...
Mar 17, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Josh Fechtner grew up competitive, to say the least - always craving victory and despising defeat. Though, now in his mid-twenties with this edge not quite as sharp, Josh has still been able to harness this spirited energy for use in the pursuit of other endeavors. At the core of his competitive nature are two core tenets that have defined his journey - activity and ambition. With the relentless desire to pursue physical challenges and win, Josh has married these character traits into a career h...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Always thinking of herself the "default girl", Martha Carrigan considers her life as one that has followed the straight and narrow - the expected route. But, to us - and, likely to those that hear her story - Martha's journey is far from ordinary. She helped start a high school. She is the CEO of career-building platform, Big Shoes Network . She has been hit by a car (multiple times...). Safe to say...far from average. Yet, like many of us, Martha shares a passion for people, and has allowed tha...
Feb 25, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 8
An achiever through and through, Terri Carlson has brought this mindset to everything she has done - from driving tractors as a girl growing up in rural northern Wisconsin to preparing college students for their bright futures. Though her journey may seem winding and even a little disjointed, upon more careful examination, Terri has always acted in accordance with her mission, guided through the uncertainties of change by her faith. Driven by her passions for people, healthcare, and continuous l...
Feb 18, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Davey Gwidt was born with something he cannot control - cerebral palsy. Yet, what he can control, his mindset, is bold, strong, and unwavering. Never has his disability been a crutch, rather - as Davey sees it - it has provided him with a distinct advantage: to see life differently than the rest. Marrying this uniqueness with his interests, Davey has made forays into sports journalism, political advocacy, and broadcast media. Now, the culmination of these experiences has placed Davey at ACLU Wis...
Jan 23, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 6
As a teacher, Lauren Zydowsky knows the school system in and out. Perhaps surprisingly, she is a strong believer in the power of real-world experience - that most knowledge is attained in the field, rather than in the classroom. Currently in pursuit of higher education, Lauren is focused on the expansion of her skills - her tools - those that are found in two different kinds of classrooms. Driven by her passion, Lauren's mindset is one of continued growth - both professionally and personally. Wh...
Jan 07, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5
For Grady Buchanan, nothing has ever been set in stone. Not his friend groups, not his college campus, not his life's purpose. Driven by ambitious goals and an utter disdain for boredom, since turning 18, Grady has lived in an ever-evolving state of fluidity - attending multiple universities, holding multiple jobs, and consistently refining both his short- and long-term plans. That is - Grady believes - until now. As a co-founder of two Madison, Wisconsin-based businesses, OmniValley and NVNG In...
Dec 20, 2019•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
One of five brothers, Ethan Littel grew up competitive, never wavering from his belief in a single mantra - If you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. This mantra has carried him to academic success - achieving high marks while studying actuarial science and economics in his undergraduate years - to success in what he believes is his true calling - educating and inspiring today's youth. Ethan has sinced merged his love for problem solving and that for mentorship, attain...
Dec 10, 2019•56 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dr. John Park, a South Korean immigrant and newly naturalized American citizen, recently graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and is currently a pharmacist at one of the biggest retail pharmacy chains in the country. In his scarce free time, John likes spending time with his dog, Maisie, and further pursuing his passion - helping others. This is his journey.
Nov 26, 2019•42 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Co-hosts, Jacob and Ian, share their purpose for starting Journeymen, what they hope to achieve with each episode, and kick the series off by sharing their own journeys with listeners.
Nov 12, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1
