Best Ben McDougal Podcasts (2025)

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Unrelenting 45:30

Play Pause

6d ago45:30

45:30

Abena Sankofa is an unrelenting author, founder, and fellow podcaster who hosts Black & Privileged in America. This leader celebrates Africana, challenges historical narratives, and advocates for a just world. Together, we share time on a Tuesday by chatting about reading, writing, podcasting, and building a healthy bookshelf. After another narrate…

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Break Ground 55:57

13d ago55:57

55:57

Dan Knoup and Brandon Patterson lead the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines. We break ground by hearing how these two leaders got into residential construction. We then hit on the hands-on nature of entrepreneurs who start (or acquire) a skilled trade or home building business. After the break, we explore the tech-flavored frontiers of…

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Inverse Charisma 46:52

20d ago46:52

46:52

Jack Chimbetete learned to make others feel charismatic as a young leader in Zimbabwe. After this film maker experienced the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he forged a new path by moving to Iowa. We chat about growing up in Africa, producing content for TV, the African Live Network, tips for migration, and how to sequence storytelling to enhance an…

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Student Founders 51:01

27d ago51:01

51:01

Ben was back at UW Stevens Point, speaking and collaborating inside the UW Stevens Point Center for Entrepreneurship. During his time on campus, Alex Suscha and Haley Densow joined him for another "In The Wild" jam session. Hear how these two college student founders are building beyond the classroom by embracing the tension of going beyond the sta…

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What It Takes to Break Into the US Recruitment Market - with Chris Allaire 48:39

1M ago48:39

48:39

Chris Allaire built his recruitment firm in the heart of New York, surviving market crashes, dodging hype, and growing through pure focus on niche expertise and real relationships. Now leading a fully remote team from South Carolina, he joins our host Dualta Doherty to unpack how he scaled his business without chasing trends, what it actually takes…

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Paving Paths 44:14

1M ago44:14

44:14

Eric Engelmann builds stuff. Let's cheers to this leader's early entrepreneurial experiences and the origins of so many projects (see bonus materials) that have paved different paths for fellow founders. We also discuss when teams need to raise financial capital and how to manage a board of advisors, then explore leveraging large clients, finding c…

1
Courtside Perspectives 45:20

1M ago45:20

45:20

Just in time for the NBA Finals! Sit courtside with Drew Van Meeteren, the President of Business Operations for the Iowa Wolves. The G League connects professional basketball players and leaders to each team in the NBA. EP93 is packed with fast-paced collisions that will leave you wanting OT. The Minnesota Timberwolves had a remarkable season and B…

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Revenue Bulldogs 54:38

2M ago54:38

54:38

Bill Adamowski is a technologist, founder, and educator who strengthens the web for understanding customers, solving the right problems, and sequencing human-centered design to grow revenue. We explore this catalyst's journey from early interest in AI at Syracuse University, building/exiting his own business, helping large companies scale, shifting…

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Surfing Early Moves 48:30

2M ago48:30

48:30

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Devon Seacrest is a tech founder who helps entrepreneurs surf through early moves that test the desirability, feasibly, and profitability of new ideas. He visiting Des Moines to lead the discussion at a web3dsm gathering, leveled up with an unplanned pinball lesson, and presenting at 1MC Des Moines the next morning. We t…

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Cartoonist 44:04

2M ago44:04

44:04

Nathan T. Wright is an artist. He has origins in the early days of social media, made impact inside corporate marketing, and now illustates remarkable art with drawings, cartoons, murals, and more. Ben and Nathan jam on The Adventures of Fatberg, the early (fun) days of social media, the speeds in-house at a large company, leading a creative proces…

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Gig Economy 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

Derreck Stratton is a military veteran and startup founder who connects doers to odd jobs. Instead of asking "who do you know" for a task around the house, the HUDU team built an easier way to find handy folks looking for side hustles nearby. Like ride sharing, this episode highlights more examples of how the gig economy is evolving. We chat about …

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Design to Rhyme 44:47

3M ago44:47

44:47

Rachel Abel and Melissa Carlson are leaders who show up to build brands that are brewed through storytelling that rhymes. Together, we toast to experiential design, friends within the food & beverage industry, product labeling, and staying in-tune with industry regulations to provide effeciency for customers. After the break, we discuss how to stay…

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Push Through 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

Alongside a career in finance, Steve Walsh is an investor and wrote Make the 10X Leap to help founders scale. We talk about choosing to push through the storm, raising strategic financial capital, collaborating with investors, signals for when it might be time to scale, and all that goes into writing your first book. BONUS MATERIALS https://BisonEq…

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Red Jalapeño 48:21

3M ago48:21

48:21

Taufeek Shah brings the heat! We pour on the sauce and dip into salsa as we hear how Lola's Fine Sauces delivers spicy goodness in 22,000+ locations worldwide. Taufeek and Ben discuss the science of edible product development, freshness in a distributed supply chain, and physical experiences with digital depth. BONUS MATERIALS Capsaicin 🌶️ TRPV1 ht…

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Corporate Battleships 47:53

3M ago47:53

47:53

Jacob Kruse invests corporate innovation funds. Corporate venture capital is a growing trend, so let's chat through how founders can interact with corporate partners and how internal innovation teams can leverage their position within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. As an intrapreneur within the insurance industry, listen how to co-create with founde…

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Base Camp 44:11

3M ago44:11

44:11

Join us at base camp as Jon Kallen builds a mountain for us to climb. We lean into the pain and carry our own gear with stories from Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, and more high altitudes worldwide. When he's not craving gummy worms on snow capped peaks above the clouds, this impactful leader mentors founders commercializing business strategies. W…

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Prognostication 47:20

4M ago47:20

47:20

Ehrich Pakala is a mathematician, software engineer, and founder who uses machine learning to unlock data-driven understandings. His team at Emigrait leverages insight to find future home buyers and sellers for real estate professionals. While they play chess in-studio, hear Ben and Ehrich chat about avoiding the measurement trap, Ehrich's favorite…

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Adapttitude 51:23

4M ago51:23

51:23

Rachelle Keck is the 14th president of Grand View University. Students join us in-studio as we discuss the energy of leadership. We also talk about writing a book and how to leverage an adapttitude, which is an attitude that fosters an aptitude for adaptation. After an extended break that celebrates Playforce Principles and Seth Godin's Real Skills…

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Technology Soup 50:32

4M ago50:32

50:32

Put your laser eyes on as Carl Lippert swings through the studio to brew some technology soup. Together, we compile Carl's global hackathon tour to hear how such curiosity paired with initiative helped this small town technologist explore the world. From farming to AI, to blockchain networks, to prototyping, to nomading, to atoms, cryptography, and…

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Audacious 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

scottrepreneur is a nerd you need to know. How does blockchain layering work? What can composability provide? What's the value of money being mechanized? Can you translate the difference between centralized, protocol, and blockchain networks? Maybe you're exploring ways to add digital depth to existing products? So many questions, here are some ans…

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From Top Biller to Tech CEO - Firefish's Wendy McDougall Shares Her Journey 37:23

5M ago37:23

37:23

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty speaks with Wendy McDougall, CEO of Firefish, about the evolving world of recruitment technology. They discuss Wendy’s journey from top-billing recruiter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of building an ATS, and the future of AI in hiring. Wendy shares insights into recruitmen…

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Rock & Radio 44:31

5M ago44:31

44:31

Max Schaeffer is an Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee jamming on a new kind of mic. EP79 features a friend and professional conversationalist sharing insight from 40+ years in radio! This influencer is also an award-winning theatrical director, actor, and producer. Ben and Maxwell discuss timely vs. evergreen content, regulations of radio, me…

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15 Years Running A Recruitment Firm in Dubai - Justin McGuire's Journey 23:39

5M ago23:39

23:39

Justin McGuire has been running MCG Talent for 15 years, expanding across Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Riyadh. In this episode, he breaks down what actually works in recruitment today, why he moved away from the traditional 360 model, and how he built a leaner, more profitable business. He shares the biggest money traps recruitment firms fall i…

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Hobbies That Pay 47:06

5M ago47:06

47:06

Sarah Oyibo is a friendly founder and creative content creator. This influencer explores the realities of an entrepreneurial lifestyle by teaching others how to efficiently create lead magnets built on pillars of content. In EP78, we hear how Sarah introduced herself to digital design as a student, then escaped a cubicle by leveraging paying client…

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Problem Solving 43:00

5M ago43:00

43:00

Gerald Beranek is an executionist and a professional problem solver who helps others bring product ideas to life. We talk product design, manufacturing, business, and his new quest. We get reps in on financial modeling, pain relievers vs. vitamins, leadership, and enjoying the process as well. Thanks to Gerald for making the trip to join us in-stud…

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Building an AI Recruitment Business in a Tough Market | Anthony Kelly 32:01

5M ago32:01

32:01

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Anthony Kelly, founder of Deep REC AI, reflects on his first year in business, navigating a challenging market, and expanding into high-value AI recruitment. He shares insights on hiring mistakes, business development, working with VCs, and why he’s keeping operations in the UK instead of opening a …

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Make Better Things 43:18

5M ago43:18

43:18

Manufacturing and business geek, Mike O'Donnell is inside Iowa State University. He leads the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), which helps small- to medium-sized industry compete and win in the modern world. EP76 is light and fun, but rich in now value. Manufacturing is the largest industry in Iowa. We talk manufacturing types, e…

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How to Stand Out in Recruitment With Better Marketing 38:11

6M ago38:11

38:11

Rich Gibbard joins the Recruiter Startup Podcast to break down the state of recruitment, automation, and business development in 2024. He and Dualta discuss how the market is shifting, where the best opportunities lie, and how recruiters can win in a competitive scene. They dive into the Manchester recruitment scene, the rise (and fall) of automati…

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DSM USA 43:10

6M ago43:10

43:10

Tiffany Tauscheck is the President & CEO of Greater Des Moines Partnership! This special episode highlights the results of Tiffany's recent 11-county listening tour with 23 different chambers of commerces and how different communities can collaborate even when environmental factors are different. We then shift gears to discuss leadership within tra…

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Sales, Strategy And Startup Life 39:12

6M ago39:12

39:12

Join Dualta and Rich Evans for a casual and insightful chat on the Recruiter Startup Podcast. They discuss recruitment vibes, industry trends, and the contrasts between Leeds and Manchester. #Podcast #Recruitment #CareerTips

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The Ripple Effect - Dan Martin's Journey 46:36

6M ago46:36

46:36

This episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast features Dan Martin, founder of The Ripple Project and a mindset coach with a compelling story of transformation. Dan shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles to empowering recruitment leaders to find purpose, resilience, and balance in their careers. With his unique perspective and practic…

1
Speak Up 44:57

6M ago44:57

44:57

Erik Dominguez equips leaders to confidently communicate. He transforms fears into fuel and speaks nationwide. Whether you're interested in paid public speaking or working to unite a team, EP74 will inspire you to pause, listen, then come off mute. After your friendly host narrates Anticipation within another classic break without commercials, Ben …

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Private Equity: No Contract, No Problem! 37:26

6M ago37:26

37:26

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty chats with Logan Naidu from Kernel Global. Logan shares his 20-year journey in recruitment, exploring private equity transactions and offering advice for founders. Discover the insights and strategies that drove Kernel's growth and success.…

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Sales Enablement — With Ben Browning 36:26

6M ago36:26

36:26

Welcome to a new episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast! This time, Ben Browning from Resonant joins us to discuss the major challenges and opportunities recruiters are navigating in 2025. The discussion dives into shifting markets, the rise of tech disruption, and the evolving role of automation in sales. Ben shares his insights on building bett…

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Care Directly 37:23

6M ago37:23

37:23

Dr. Jon Van Der Veer took a path less traveled. He shifted gears later in his practice as a doctor, and Examplar Care has since activated a direct primary care experience brewed to provide patients more personalized healthcare. We chat about transparency, affordability, access, and convenience in healthcare, but also get nerdy with zero knowledge p…

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Billions: Michelle Flynn — The Wendy Rhoades of Agency Recruitment 42:59

6M ago42:59

42:59

The Recruiter Startup Podcast kicks off 2025 with a conversation with Michelle Flynn, a recruitment veteran turned coach who host Dualta Doherty compares to the 'Billions' character Wendy Rhoades—and, after hearing her thoughts on the industry, it is easy to understand why. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from agency recruitment to coa…

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Win Win Win 44:56

6M ago44:56

44:56

Nicole Crain is the incoming president for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. She's been helping to build business throughout Iowa for over 15 years, so it's neat to have this be her first interview as the new leader within Iowa ABI. We toast Mike Ralston and his 20+ years of generous leadership, then discuss nogotiating, public policy,…

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Still United 49:55

7M ago49:55

49:55

🥂 Happy New Year 🥂 Alex Myers and Ben McDougal return from the future to refill our mugs and translate nerd into normal. BEN BOT kicks off 2025 with a compelling thought on accelerationism. The humans then chime in on the evolution of AI, nuerotech, and the confluence of human and machines. After the break that invites openess, we discuss the state…

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Grandpa Dale 39:45

7M ago39:45

39:45

🎄 Holiday Special 🎄 Grandpa Dale visits the studio. At age 92, open this gift of a chat between a grandpa and his grandson, released on Christmas morning. The love of family, stories of riding a horse over a mile to school, peaceful gratitude, and so much more. Ben had a number of ideas for narrating the break, so tune through to enjoy Santa is Rea…

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Generative Humans 45:03

7M ago45:03

45:03

Chris Snider is an educator who helps students explore the landscape of communications. Knowing so much information is online, digital communication becomes apart of endless discussion. How does multimedia technologies flow so prevalently within marketing? Chris has been exploring the frontiers of social media and has taught at Drake University for…

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Recruitment Challenges, Global Trends & Predictions for 2025 - With Andy Hallett 38:40

7M ago38:40

38:40

In this special episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty catches up with his long-term business partner, Andy Hallett, to reflect on the highs, lows, and viral moments of 2024. From the recruitment industry's toughest challenges to predictions for a global oil and gas boom under Trump, they explore what's next for recruiters navigat…

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Resilience, Creativity, and Data-Driven Recruitment — Dan Mills’ Journey 40:22

7M ago40:22

40:22

In this episode of The Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty sits down with Dan Mills, co-founder of Hiiya, to explore his journey through recruitment and entrepreneurship. Dan shares how his years of experience in scaling teams and building high-performing desks shaped his approach to launching his own business.He talks about the importance of…

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Non-Dilutive 43:05

7M ago43:05

43:05

Adrienne Greenwald sits front row to innovation. Venture Net Iowa is a helpful wayfinder and guides entreprenuers toward non-dulituve funding. We chat about how resources are abundant (see below!), but still take time to activate. We also discuss ways to give and receive feedback as founders. Ben narrates a writing brewed for parents during the bre…

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Future-Proofing Your Recruitment Business - with Mike Ames 46:40

7M ago46:40

46:40

In this insightful episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty sits down with recruitment legend Mike Ames to discuss the past, present, and future of the industry.Mike reflects on the golden era of recruitment, the current challenges facing recruiters, and how businesses can adapt to thrive in a tougher market. They explore the transf…

1
Kups from Kenya 38:43

7M ago38:43

38:43

Laban Njuguna brings the world together with a cup of excellence. Ben McDougal is the Regional Rep for 1 Million Cups and was on a community visit to celebrate the launch of 1 Million Cups Grand Island in Nebraska. This episode within our "In The Wild" category features an experienced coffee maker and international bridge builder. Laban and his tea…

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Breaking Free From the Old Recruitment Playbook - A Conversation with Samm Green 47:10

8M ago47:10

47:10

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta speaks with Sam Green, co-founder of Few and Far, to explore the realities of building a modern recruitment business. Sam shares his journey from frustration in KPI-driven environments to creating a company centred on community, client partnerships, and innovation. Together, they discuss some…

1
Game Time 46:53

8M ago46:53

46:53

Joe Roth leverages game play to build community. This proverbial camp director ignites commodore through The Dealt Hand and connects people through a shared experience. Listen as we talk analog game play, event management, and embracing activities that bring you pleasure. Enjoy your time playing in this real and keep doing hard things. After Ben na…

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Aromatherapy 44:42

8M ago44:42

44:42

Kourtney Perry is authentic in a way that delivers consistency. She shows up and sets the vibe with scents that connect to the human experience. Light a candle from Ladie Lex Candles, close your eyes, and enjoy! This episode explores how Kourtney took her business from the basement to a physical storefront, and now a mobile boutique fueled by a com…

1
Taste Testing 44:02

8M ago44:02

44:02

Vada Grantham helps companies understand their customers by activating effective research strategies. Along with supporting customer discovery through Revelations Research Solutions, Vada has helped college students explore the entreprenuerial lifestyle at DMACC for over 20 years. In EP64, we chat about Vada selling his family business that had 500…

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How Will the US Election Affect the Irish Recruitment Sector? — A Conversation With Paul McClatchie 44:36

8M ago44:36

44:36

In this episode, our host Dualta Doherty welcomes Paul McClatchie, founder of Engage People Recruitment for a conversation on what the latest political shifts across the Atlantic might mean for recruiters in Ireland, exploring the challenges—and opportunities—facing the market right now. On the business side, Paul shares his insights on creating a …