Welcome to Exceptional Companies Podcast

Austin Johnson built and sold The Springs Bagel Company. He joins Chris Seegers to discuss why a pro forma matters before spending, when founders need to hand off the work, and how the market determines a business’s value.

Ryan Jahnke explains why AI should make business more human by creating time for real conversations, thoughtful follow-up, and long-term client relationships. Chris and Ryan explore relationship-driven service, creative financing, money habits, real estate investing, and Home Buyer Coach.

Clay Worthington shares the elite-performance principles he learned coaching Olympians and now applies in business: act, learn, adjust, stay in the game, and face failure honestly. Chris and Clay explore mental toughness, A-player culture, mentorship, and why the fundamentals beat overcomplication.

John and JJ Checki of Checki Financial join Chris Seegers to explore what happens when faith, family, business, and financial planning stop competing and start working together. Learn how to build a plan around the life you actually want, align income and spending with long-term goals, and enjoy today without sacrificing tomorrow.

What does it take to build a company that lasts for decades instead of just a few years?

In this episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris Seegers sits down with Dean Mathews, CEO of On The Clock, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and the mindset shifts required to build something bigger than yourself. From coding software at his kitchen table to serving more than 16,000 customers, Dean shares the lessons that helped him transform a lifestyle business into a scalable company with a thriving team.

What if youth sports were about more than scholarships and championships?

In this episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris Seegers sits down with sports attorney, professor, former professional baseball player, and NIL expert Bobby Bramhall to explore how athletics can become a launching pad for leadership, entrepreneurship, and long-term wealth creation. From lessons learned on the baseball field to the future of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), this conversation offers a fresh perspective for parents, athletes, and business owners alike.

Is business a sprint or a marathon?

According to Chris Seegers, it’s neither. In this short episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris challenges two of the most common ideas in entrepreneurship and offers a simpler, more sustainable path to success. If you’re tired of chasing shiny objects and looking for a framework that actually compounds over time, this conversation is for you.

Most business owners are working hard, but very few stop to ask what phase of business they’re actually in.

In this short educational episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris Seegers breaks down the five phases every company moves through, from the early dream stage all the way to monetization. Whether you’re launching your first company, trying to optimize operations, or preparing for an exit, understanding these phases can completely change how you lead and grow your business.

What happens when life forces you to rebuild everything at once? In this episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris Seegers sits down with Patty Rodriguez, CEO of GreyHawk Oilfield Trucking, to unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership under pressure.

Patty shares how divorce, uncertainty, financial pressure, and one of the toughest industries imaginable became the training ground that transformed her as a leader. This conversation is about far more than trucking. It is about discovering who you become when quitting feels like the easier option.

What happens when youth sports stop being about the kids?

In this episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast, Chris Seegers sits down with Will Marshall of 108 Performance Academy to unpack the hidden pressure shaping modern athletics, parenting, and leadership. From identity and competition to business systems and human development, this conversation explores why the best coaches focus on the person before the player, and why the same principles apply in business, family, and life.