The Keri Croft Show

Send us Fan MailYour child has a fever, you get told it's probably nothing, and then one morning everything changes. John and Renee join us to tell the story of their son Will's diagnosis with stage four Wilms tumor, a rare pediatric kidney cancer, and the brutal speed at which normal life turns into ultrasounds, surgery, pathology reports, chemo, and radiation when the cancer has spread to the lungs. Hearing Renee describe that first hospital visit and John describe the phone call that snapped his world in half is the kind of honesty that stays with you.We also get real about what people don't see after the words “cancer free.” Remission still comes with scans, anxiety before checkups, and long-term side effects that can follow pediatric cancer survivors for years, from organ monitoring to secondary cancer risk. John shares how he shut down emotionally to keep the family moving, and we talk about how different grief styles can collide inside a marriage while you're also raising a newborn and trying to keep life functioning.Then we zoom out to the bigger fight: pediatric cancer research funding and why groups like Cancer Free Kids matter. We connect the dots between better funding and better, less toxic treatments for kids, and we invite you to show up for the Lemonade Stand fundraiser on August 2 (11 to 1 at Tupelo Honey on Lane Avenue) to help push that work forward.If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more families find it when they need it most.Donate directly to the Little Legends Lemonade stand here:https://cfk.donordrive.com/campaigns/Little-Legends-LemonadeFollow Keri:Instagram: @keripcroftThe Keri Croft Show: @thekericroftshowWebsite: kericroft.com⚡️ If this episode hits something in you, please share it with a friend.⚡️ Subscribe to The Keri Croft Show on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.⚡️ Leave a review if you're feeling it.And until next time… Keep Moving, baby!

Send us Fan MailA kid goes from running everywhere to barely being able to walk, and the first answers don't point to cancer at all. That is the gut punch at the center of our conversation with Kim and her son, Max, as they walk us through the real timeline from “maybe it's a sports injury” to a leukemia diagnosis and two and a half years of treatment. If you've ever felt dismissed by “normal” tests while your instincts say something is wrong, you'll hear exactly why persistence matters and how fast life can change for a family facing pediatric cancer.We get specific about what treatment looked like: intense pain, bone damage, spinal taps, anesthesia choices, and the brutal personality shifts that can come with steroids. Max shares the kid view with surprising wisdom, including how he handled fear and why recording a quick video after a procedure helped his future self stay calm. We also talk about school dynamics, what it feels like when someone says something cruel, and the small acts of protection and friendship that can make a hospital season less isolating.Then we turn that hard-earned perspective into action. We're inviting you to Little Legends Lemonade at Tupelo Honey on Lane Avenue on August 2nd from 11 to 1 to raise money for Cancer Free Kids, because research funding is how we get more effective and gentler treatments for children with cancer. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people show up for families who need it.Donate directly to the Little Legends Lemonade stand here:https://cfk.donordrive.com/campaigns/Little-Legends-LemonadeFollow Keri:Instagram: @keripcroftThe Keri Croft Show: @thekericroftshowWebsite: kericroft.com⚡️ If this episode hits something in you, please share it with a friend.⚡️ Subscribe to The Keri Croft Show on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.⚡️ Leave a review if you're feeling it.And until next time… Keep Moving, baby!

Send us Fan MailPediatric cancer is a gut punch most people can't look at for long, and that discomfort has a cost. We sit down with Dr Dean Lee, Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, to talk about why kids' cancer research is still massively underfunded and why community-driven giving is not a feel-good extra. It's often the only way the next breakthrough gets its first chance.We unpack the hard truth behind the pediatric cancer funding gap: fewer patients means fewer commercial incentives, and “trickle-down” solutions from adult oncology don't always fit the diseases kids actually face. Dean explains why childhood cancer can be oddly invisible day to day, even though it remains a leading cause of death in children outside of accidents, and why foundations like Cancer Free Kids step in to fund the science that government grants won't touch early on.Then we get into hope with specifics. Dean walks us through what's changing in cancer immunotherapy and cellular therapy, including why CAR T cell therapy was a game-changer in leukemias and lymphomas and why solid tumors have been so much harder. We also talk about what pilot grants really do, how a $50,000 award can create the preliminary data needed for major funding, and a real example involving CRISPR and natural killer cell research that grew into a much bigger research platform.Join us for the third annual Little Legends Lemonade:

Send us Fan MailOnly 8% of cancer research funding goes to pediatric cancer and that single number explains a lot about why families still face limited options, harsher treatments, and too much uncertainty. I'm joined by Drew Dollmatsch, managing director for the Columbus market at CancerFree KIDS, to break down what that funding gap looks like on the ground and why the earliest stage of research is where progress either starts or stops. When a scientist has a smart idea but no proof of concept yet, traditional funding often won't touch it. Cancer Free Kids exists to change that. We talk about how CancerFree KIDS supports research at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and why investing in top pediatric oncology centers can ripple far beyond Ohio. Drew shares how their grants help lay the groundwork for advances in gene therapy and immunology, even when it's hard to draw a neat line from one grant to one new treatment. The point is leverage: early funding turns “maybe” into “next,” moving promising ideas toward larger government or industry backing and, ultimately, better care for kids. Then we get practical with two ways to join the mission. Little Legends Lemonade hits Tupelo Honey on Lane Avenue August 2 from 11 to 1, with giveaways, big energy, and a goal to raise $5,000 in just two hours. And the 100 Mile Challenge in September for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month invites anyone to raise $100 and complete 100 miles of any activity, tracked through an app that converts movement into mileage. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review if you want more conversations that turn community action into real medical progress.Donate directly to the Little Legends Lemonade stand here:https://cfk.donordrive.com/campaigns/Little-Legends-LemonadeFollow Keri:Instagram: @keripcroftThe Keri Croft Show: @thekericroftshowWebsite: kericroft.com⚡️ If this episode hits something in you, please share it with a friend.⚡️ Subscribe to The Keri Croft Show on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.⚡️ Leave a review if you're feeling it.And until next time… Keep Moving, baby!

Send us Fan MailIt's that time of year again, ya'll. The Little Legends Lemonade stand is back and better than ever, baby!For the third year, The Keri Croft show & Little Legends Lemonade are teaming up to bring kids, families, local businesses, and our entire community together to raise money for a great cause. This year, it's CancerFreeKIDS and  our goal is a big one: raise $5,000 in two hours to help fund the early-stage pediatric cancer research that can become tomorrow's life-saving treatments.Leading up to the event, The Keri Croft Show is releasing a special five-part series exploring the impact CancerFreeKIDS is having on pediatric cancer research, how new treatments actually make their way from an idea in a lab to a child's bedside, and why this work should matter to every single one of us.In this first episode, Keri sits down with Ellen Flannery, founder of CancerFreeKIDS, and Dr. Timothy Cripe, Chief of the Division of Hematology, Oncology & Blood and Marrow Transplant at Nationwide Children's Hospital.Ellen shares the deeply personal story that led her to create CancerFreeKIDS after her infant daughter's cancer diagnosis. Dr. Cripe breaks down, in terms anyone can understand, why early-stage research is so critical, how groundbreaking ideas become real treatments, and what becomes possible when researchers receive the funding needed to take a chance on something new.Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death for children in the United States, yet pediatric cancer research receives only a fraction of the funding it needs. This conversation explains the gap, the progress being made, and the very real role our community can play in moving that progress forward.

Send us Fan MailKevin King is the CEO of Donatos, but the first thing you should probably know about him is that he really loves his wife.Leslie has challenged him, sharpened him, expanded his taste in music, and spent more than three decades helping him become the person and leader he is today. So naturally, Keri calls her in the middle of the interview.What follows is a very human conversation about marriage, parenting, family, leadership, and running one of Columbus's most recognizable brands.Kevin explains how he taught his daughter to handle a bully, why he wants his adult children to have relationships with him that do not depend on their mother, and what he has learned about staying calm enough to solve the actual problem.That same approach shapes the way he leads Donatos through changing customer expectations, third-party delivery, automation, and AI. Kevin is not interested in using technology to remove people from hospitality. He wants to use it to eliminate the work people hate so they can spend more time taking care of customers.This is a conversation about pizza, people, marriage, consistency, and why a good leader sometimes has to make sure everyone can see his heart.

Send us Fan MailI sat down with Meleka Jolliff, one of the seven incredible women who helped bring our very first IRL experience to life. Meleka was not only a generous sponsor, but she and her team played such a huge role in making the entire space feel beautiful, thoughtful, and intentional. So before anything else, a massive thank you to this woman.As the founder of MMJ Events and Aiden & Grace, and co-owner of Skyflower, Meleka has built her businesses around the thing she does so naturally: making people feel cared for through the details. She has an incredible eye, a creative brain, and the kind of work ethic that quietly holds a lot together.In this episode, we talk about business, team culture, word-of-mouth growth, high-pressure event seasons, motherhood, marriage, and the honest reality of building a life that actually feels like yours. Meleka shares how she's built a team that cares deeply, why the little details are often the thing people remember most, and what it means to keep going through the messy middle of entrepreneurship, family, and identity.We also get into starting over with a third baby later in life, the idea that “you'll get your pink back,” and why women need people around them who actually understand the weight of what they're carrying.This episode is full of wisdom from a woman who knows how to build beautiful things — in business, in motherhood, and in community.Subscribe on YouTube and follow along on Instagram for more conversations with badass women building businesses, families, and lives on their own terms.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Kelsey Lensman for a conversation about faith, fear, identity, trauma, and what happens when life forces you to stop white-knuckling the wheel.Kelsey shares the moments that cracked her open and rebuilt her from the inside out: walking away from an eight-year relationship, questioning the version of faith she grew up with, surviving a violent highway crash on I-270, and choosing not to let fear become the driver of her life.We talk about the shift from athlete identity to real-world purpose, the difference between checking the “church box” and building an actual relationship with God, and why physical challenges have become one of Kelsey's greatest tools for mental strength. From Ohio State rowing to Mission 48 — where she completed 48 competitions in 48 states in 48 days for charity — Kelsey's story is one big reminder that strength is built in the moments you'd rather avoid.This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt stuck, scared, over-controlling, spiritually disconnected, or quietly aware that they're being called into something bigger.Follow Kelsey:Instagram: @kelseylensmanExpand Your Limits: @xpandyourlimits⚡️If this episode hit something in you please share it with a friend ⚡️Subscribe to The Keri Croft Show on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts⚡️Please leave a review if you're feeling it.And until next time...Keep Moving, baby!

Send us Fan MailAfter we wrapped my conversation with Joe DeLoss, we kept talking.What started as a conversation about marriage turned into something much bigger: masculinity, ego, service, leadership, and why so many men seem to be struggling to find their footing right now.Joe shares his perspective on the version of masculinity that's being celebrated online, why he thinks it's missing the mark, and what he's learned through building businesses, navigating marriage, raising daughters, and doing the ongoing work of understanding himself.We talk about strength, vulnerability, accountability, and the difference between chasing trophies and becoming the kind of person your family, community, and relationships can actually count on.It's a short conversation, but one that felt too important to leave on the cutting room floor.If you enjoyed my full conversation with Joe, consider this the bonus chapter. 

Send us Fan MailJoe DeLoss is best known as the founder of Hot Chicken Takeover, one of Columbus's most recognizable restaurant stories. But this conversation is not really about chicken.Joe talks with Keri about the rise of Hot Chicken Takeover, the ego that came with it, the people impacted by his leadership, and the personal reckoning that followed. He is honest about marriage, fatherhood, masculinity, ambition, and the uncomfortable reality that success does not automatically make you whole.Now, Joe lives in Mount Vernon and is building Baker Road, a hospitality and retreat concept rooted in nature, adventure, discomfort, and real human connection. Think less corporate retreat, more walking into the woods and remembering you are still a person.This conversation moves from Columbus entrepreneurship to 100-mile runs, natural burials, leadership, vultures, marriage, and what the next chapter of Joe's work looks like.At its heart, this conversation is about what happens when success forces you to face yourself. Joe's story is a reminder that growth isn't always glamorous. Sometimes, the real work begins after the big win, when you have to decide who you want to become next.

Send us Fan MailElizabeth Blount McCormick doesn't think women should play small.As CEO of Uniglobe Travel Designers, she helped navigate one of the most challenging periods in modern business history when COVID brought the travel industry to a standstill. Today, she's leading a nationally recognized company, setting audacious growth goals, and challenging conventional thinking about leadership, ambition, and success.We talk about building through uncertainty, why women need to get more comfortable talking about money, the importance of finding the right rooms and communities, and what it means to be the first Black woman to join YPO Columbus.We also get into entrepreneurship, mental athleticism, self-care, motherhood, identity, and the mindset shifts that help people keep moving when things get hard.If you've ever felt stuck, underestimated, or like you're playing smaller than you're capable of, this one's for you.

Send us Fan MailMost people talk about ideas. Very few actually write the check and start.Nick Braun went from building a pet insurance comparison company to scaling a water filtration business doing millions in revenue. But this conversation is really about risk, timing, relationships, and why entrepreneurship in the Midwest looks different than Silicon Valley.We talk about building businesses in Columbus, raising four kids, moving to San Diego, selling to Petco, funding local entrepreneurs, and why community matters more than people think.Also: Brandon Road lore, Upper Arlington real estate, and a very real debate about what should replace Bed Bath & Beyond.

Send us Fan MailSixty seconds of total silence doesn't sound that long… until you're standing on a Persian rug making eye contact with some of the most famous investors in America.This week, Megan Pando joins me to talk about what Shark Tank actually feels like from the inside — the nerves, the pressure, the mindset shifts, and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling.But this episode goes way deeper than TV.We talk about:✨ Building Makers Social through uncertainty, failed deals, and brutal “in-between” seasons✨ Getting ghosted in business and the stories we create when people don't close the loop✨ Why scaling fast isn't always the goal✨ Franchising vs. corporate growth and protecting culture while growing✨ Being a single mom entrepreneur✨ Handling criticism without losing yourself✨ Grief, emo music, bravery, freedom, and redefining success on your own termsThis conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and probably way too relatable if you've ever questioned yourself while building something big.And maybe the biggest takeaway?Trying new things while you're bad at them might actually be the whole point.

Send us Fan MailHello, my friend, hello...This week, Libby Welch joins me for a conversation that starts with wedding songs, curly hair, and dance moms… and somehow lands in grief, postpartum anxiety, mental health, identity, and building a business that actually gives a damn about people.Libby opens up about losing her dad after years of overwork and an undiagnosed mental health condition, and how that experience changed the way she sees herself, motherhood, and emotional wellness. We talk honestly about postpartum anxiety symptoms that often get missed — the control, overstimulation, rigid routines, unexplained weight loss, the feeling that something is just… off. Not the cute Instagram version of motherhood. The real one.We also get into:postpartum mental health + asking for helpgrief and generational patternsconfidence, curls, and self-imagebuilding Movement Haven in Dublin, Ohio“community over competition” in youth danceraising emotionally healthy kidsskincare, hydration, intermittent fasting, and random life tangents because obviouslyLibby shares the mission behind Movement Haven and why she believes in “human first, artist second” — a philosophy that feels refreshing as hell in a hyper-competitive world.If you've ever struggled with anxiety, grief, identity, motherhood, or trying to build a life that actually aligns with your values… this episode will hit home.And if you came for Neil Diamond and stayed for emotional healing? Honestly, same.

Send us Fan MailThe internet loves to scream “women supporting women”… right up until a woman makes a choice they wouldn't make themselves.This episode starts with the backlash around Lisa Oxenham's British Vogue essay about becoming a mom at 49—and spirals into a much bigger conversation about judgment, fertility, grief, motherhood, ambition, and why women can be brutal to each other when something feels unfamiliar, audacious, or uncomfortable.We talk about the comment sections that turn into courtrooms.The silent competition.The projection.The “I support women… but not like THAT” energy.I also share how infertility and loss completely changed the way I look at people's choices. Because once life humbles you enough, you stop assuming you know what someone else should be doing with their body, timeline, career, or family.We also get into Emma Grede's comments about women in power, why society says it wants powerful women but struggles when women actually take up space, and what I've learned becoming an older mom—aka you finally realize not every tiny thing deserves a full psychological investigation.And we end with this:Can you actually name the thing that makes you you?Your edge.Your essence.Your fingerprint-level badassery.This one is honest, spicy, emotional, funny, and probably a little uncomfortable at times—which usually means it's worth having.If it hits, send it to a friend, leave a review, and come hang with us on YouTube.

Send us Fan MailThey create some of the most recognizable homes in Columbus, Ohio. But behind the aesthetic is pressure, conflict, obsession, and nonstop work.This conversation with Stacy and Tracy from Paul + Jo Studios gets into what it actually takes to build a design business as a married couple while raising kids, renovating homes, running projects, and trying not to lose yourselves in the process.We talk about creativity vs. practicality, entrepreneurship, farm life, parenting teenagers, and why Tracy and Stacy still believe beautiful spaces can change how people feel.Also, we chat about Brene Brown, meditation, sheep trauma, and why silence feels like luxury once you become parents.

Send us Fan MailBy 8 a.m., some of us feel like we've already lived a full day.We're up early trying to work out, get kids fed, get everyone out the door—and still show up like we've got it together. Meanwhile our nervous system is already buzzing from constant needs, noise, and decisions.In this episode, I'm naming it: the overstimulation, the mental load, and the exhaustion that hits before your actual day even starts.I also touch on a couple parenting things that have been on my mind lately—nothing preachy, just real observations and questions we're all kind of thinking but not always saying out loud.And then we zoom out.We get into the bigger conversation around women, identity, careers, and motherhood—sparked by the Emma Grede debate—and what it actually looks like to run a household while still trying to be yourself.Because the question a lot of women are quietly carrying is: Can I be a great mom and still feel like me?If that's ever crossed your mind, this one's for you.—If this hits, please send it to a friend who gets it!Make sure you're subscribed (and. subscribe on YouTube), and if you have a second, please leave a review—it helps more than you think!  ⭐️

Send us Fan MailIt's back and bigger than ever... that's right we're talking about Little Legends Lemonade Stand Fundraiser 2026. What started as a simple lemonade stand now has a goal of 500 stands nationwide.Keri sits down with the team behind Little Legends Lemonade to talk about how this actually came together, why kids need real-world experiences early, and how something small can turn into something that matters. They also share what it takes to pull this off, how to get involved, and why this cause goes way beyond just “a fun event.”If you've got kids, a business, or just want to be part of something bigger, this one's for you.And stay tuned for the official Little Legends Lemonade Stand dates and details... COMING SOON! 

Send us Fan MailMost people think they're doing Pilates. They're not.Sara Ortlip built one of the most respected Pilates studios in Columbus by doing it differently and actually doing it right.We get into what Pilates really is vs. what's being sold, why “the burn” is misleading, and how breath work changes everything, from performance to trauma response.She also opens up about building her business through divorce, loss, and starting over without a safety net.It's not about trends. It's about doing the work the right way.Watch the full episode and see what you've been missing.Recorded in Columbus, Ohio with one of the city's most sought-after movement coaches.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you actually do the thing that scares you?In this solocast, I'm recapping the very first In Her Badass Era IRL event—and honestly, I'm still processing it. What started as an idea in my head turned into a room full of powerful, honest, wildly inspiring humans who showed up ready to connect, share, and step into their own version of badassery.This episode is part reflection, part behind-the-scenes, and part reminder that the things calling you forward usually come with a little fear attached.We talk about:Why doing the uncomfortable thing is almost always the right moveWhat happens when you create real connection (not surface-level networking)The power of Mental Athleticism and collective energyHow this event validated what I already knew in my bonesIf you've been sitting on an idea, waiting until you feel “ready”…take a listen—You don't need more time.You don't need permission.You just need to believe. Then move.✨ Want to be part of the next IRL experience?Subscribe to The B Word (my weekly email) to be the first to know what's coming next. https://tr.ee/2y1WlCEDs3

Send us Fan MailI pushed myself into a new level with this one.For the first time ever, The Keri Croft Show went live with an IRL experience called “In Her Badass Era.”I sat down with a room full of female entrepreneurs who are actually building something and we got honest about what it really takes. Not the highlight reel. The chaos, the self-doubt, the pressure, the moments you think you're going to fail, and the decision to move anyway.This wasn't scripted. It wasn't polished. It was real conversations happening in real time with seven women who are in it.If you've ever felt like you're figuring it out as you go, you're not alone. This episode is for you.And to everyone who showed up for this first one, thank you. Truly. Being in that room with you meant more than I can put into words.I'm already thinking about the next one… and I can't wait.

Send us Fan MailJessica didn't set out to build a nonprofit.She was living her life. Raising kids, building her career, doing all the normal things and then everything shifted. A diagnosis. A timeline no one was ready for. And a version of life she never planned to navigate.And somewhere in that, she built something.Brave Men started because of her husband, Demetrius, but what it's become is bigger than that. It's pushing men to pay attention to their health, get tested, and have conversations most of them avoid. The kind that could change everything if they had them sooner.This conversation goes a lot of places, grief, responsibility, family, health, but underneath all of it is a real look at what it means to keep going when your life takes a turn you didn't choose.And what you decide to build from there.

Send us Fan MailYour comfort zone isn't harmless.It looks like safety. It feels like routine. It even disguises itself as “being responsible.”But underneath that? It can quietly drain your energy, cap your identity, and delay the future you keep saying you want.In this episode, I'm breaking down the real cost of comfort through the Mental Athleticism lens—and why the goal isn't to live in constant misery… it's to learn how to choose intentional discomfort that actually moves your life forward.We walk through four ways comfort gets expensive:The safety illusion → when “stable” turns into stuckThe energy drain → why you feel tired even when nothing's “wrong”The identity ceiling → outgrowing labels like “the reliable one” or “the safe one”The opportunity cost → how comfort doesn't just protect your present, it postpones your futureIf you've been:avoiding a hard conversationsitting on an idea because you're afraid of judgmentor staying in a role that no longer fits…you're going to hear yourself in this.Then we get practical.I'll walk you through how to:locate the frictionname itand take one small rep internally (self-command)and one externally (environmental design)No dramatic, life-altering leaps. Just small, intentional experiments that build momentum—and give you real data through your energy, flow, and alignment.

Send us Fan MailRick Harrison is the Executive Director of North Market, but that's not really the story. The story is how he got there. Fashion career in LA. Job ends. Starts a food truck having no idea what he's doing. And somehow that path leads him back to Columbus running one of the most important spaces in the city.We talk about what it actually looks like to start over, what people don't understand about building something, and why the best paths rarely make sense when you're in them.We get into: What it actually takes to build something in Columbus  The reality of starting over when your career falls apart  Why the best paths rarely make sense at the time  How North Market has evolved and what's next  The power of local, independent businesses in shaping a city This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and what it really looks like to build something meaningful.

Send us Fan MailThat late-night “who's at the door?” instinct?Yeah—you should be using that on your calendar, your phone, and the people who think everything is urgent.This episode is Part four of Mental Athleticism—and we're going straight into Environmental Design: aka Protect Your Yard.We're talking:Why your attention is getting hijacked (and how to take it back)How your phone, feeds, and inputs are quietly draining youThe real reason you feel resentment (hint: it's not them)How to set boundaries that are clear, clean, and unapologeticAnd how to design a life where focus is easier than distractionBecause if your environment is working against you…your goals don't stand a chance.But when you flip it?Your space becomes your advantage.This is where your vision gets room to breathe.This is where momentum actually 

Send us Fan MailWhat starts with $40… and turns into a cult brand?In this episode of The Keri Croft Show, I sit down with Liz Haislip, founder of Pebby Forevee. A brand that didn't come from a playbook, investors, or experience, but from pure obsession, grit, and an unwavering belief that she was meant for more.But this conversation goes way deeper than business.We talk about: • The reality of building something with no plan B • Body image, confidence, and how Pebby became more than just clothing • The pressure of becoming the face of your brand • Burnout, identity shifts, and the moment she almost walked away from everything • The mindset shift that changed how she leads, hires, and grows • What it actually takes to build a life, and business, on your own termsThis is a story about resilience, reinvention, and what happens when you decide you're not going to live a “normal” life.

Send us Fan MailPart 3 of the Mental Athleticism series is here—and we're going inside your head.Because you can meal prep, hydrate, and hit your workouts… but if your thoughts are absolute garbage, none of it sticks.This episode is all about self-command—learning how to filter the noise, challenge the bullshit, and stop letting every passing thought run the show.We break it down simply:Thoughts aren't facts—they're guesses. Start testing them.Thoughts turn into stories, and stories shape identity—so choose one that actually moves you forward.Feelings are data, not directions—meaning you don't need to feel ready to act.Mental Athleticism isn't just about vision and execution—it's about cleaning up your internal world so your actions actually align.If you're done being dragged around by your own mind, press play.Want more?Subscribe to The B Word newsletter, check out upcoming IRL events, and try the B10 Challenge for a 10-day intro to Mental Athleticism.https://linktr.ee/kericroft?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9820ca88-5e8f-4a56-9e84-c883650563a1And if this episode hits—share it, follow the show, and leave a review.Question of the day: What junk thought are you ready to retire?

Send us Fan MailMost people are chasing the sexy business idea. The flashy brand. The viral moment. The overnight success.But what if the real money is being made somewhere else entirely?In this episode of The Keri Croft Show, I sit down with my friends Drew and TJ. Two entrepreneurs building serious wealth in industries most people overlook. From porta potties and waste management to roofing, they've mastered what it actually takes to win in “unsexy” businesses… and spoiler: it's not luck.We get into what it really looked like to build and sell a waste company, why consistency beats chasing big wins, and how focusing on data, process, and people can outperform hype every single time.If you've ever felt like you're behind because you're not building something flashy… this episode might completely reframe how you think about success.

Send a textPart one of the Mental Athleticism series was all about anchoring to a big, audacious vision for your life. But vision only becomes powerful when you're willing to execute on it relentlessly.Because big lives aren't built in big moments. They're built in small daily decisions.In Part Two of What is Mental Athleticism, we break down what it actually means to train your mind like an athlete and why motivation alone will never carry you across the finish line.We dive into the four pillars of Mental Athleticism—big vision, relentless execution, command of self, and environmental design—and focus on the unsexy middle: the daily reps that actually move your life forward.If you've been waiting to “feel ready,” this episode will show you how to start executing today.Jump in with us:

Send a textIf you've spent any time around the Columbus food scene, you probably heard of BJ Lieberman.He's the chef behind Chapman's, Metsi's, Ginger Rabbit, and one of the most thoughtful people I've met when it comes to food, creativity, and building restaurants that people genuinely love.In this episode, BJ and I talk about his path into the restaurant world, what it's really like running restaurants in Columbus right now, and how becoming a dad has shifted the way he thinks about work and life.We also get into the energy of the Columbus food scene, creativity in the kitchen, and the balance between building something ambitious and building a life you actually want to live.It's a fun, honest conversation about restaurants, passion, and figuring things out as you go.

Send a textWhenever Chef Nikki pulls up, you know the episode is going to be a vibe.Join in on this impromptu hang as we go everywhere. Food, travel, energy, and what it really looks like to build an experience brand that's global, intimate, and completely its own lane.Nikki's the founder of High End Affair and she's out here producing microdosed supper clubs and “adult field trips” (yes, like the nostalgic brown-bag lunch… but infused). She breaks down how she designs these experiences safely and intentionally, what's in the mocktails, how she times everything, and why she vets guests before they ever get a seat at the table.We also talk about the parts people don't post on Instagram: the emotional labor of holding space for rooms full of adults, the energetic sensitivity that comes with being that perceptive, and how traveling overseas can make America feel… loud.If you've ever romanticized leaving your life behind and building something bigger, this conversation will hit.

Send a textEver feel like a rudderless ship in the ocean—moving, busy, maybe even working hard… but not actually steering toward anything?That's where Mental Athleticism comes in.In this episode, we introduce the  first foundational pillar of MA: anchoring yourself to a bold vision for your life. Because when you know where you're going and who you're becoming, your entire trajectory will start to shift.This episode sets the stage for how to think bigger, act more intentionally, and start training your mind like an athlete.Want to go deeper?

Send a textHow do you build a profitable, sustainable company without losing your marriage or yourself?In this episode, Cameron Mitchell shares how he turned a turbulent childhood and a chip on his shoulder into one of the most successful restaurant groups in the country. But this isn't just a business conversation.His incredible wife, Molly, joins the discussion, offering the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes perspective on what it really took to build the company, raise three kids, survive near-death business moments, and stay married for 30 years.This is a conversation about ambition, partnership, resilience, and building a legacy that lasts (at work and at home).

Send a textWhat if we're spending more time training our kids to compete than we are teaching them how to cope?In this conversation, I sit down with Amy Jo Hamilton, founder of The Balanced Child Method, to talk about something that feels urgent right now: raising emotionally regulated kids in a world that feels anything but calm.Amy shares her journey through miscarriage, fertility struggles, and entrepreneurship. She shares how those seasons shaped the work she's doing today inside schools, sports teams, and communities across Central Ohio. We talk about why breath work matters more than we realize, why mental wellness can't be an afterthought, and why carving out space for our kids to slow down might be the most important investment we make.If you're a parent, coach, teacher, or someone who simply cares about the next generation, this episode is your nudge.Follow Amy and learn more about The Balanced Child Method here.And as always, follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone raising the next generation.

Send a textKatalina's didn't become a beloved Columbus restaurant by accident.In this conversation with founder Kathleen Day, we talk about staying power, what it takes to build something people love, keep it standing through hard seasons, and still care deeply about the work years later.We bounce from wild life stories to music obsessions, famous run-ins, creative intensity, and the unfiltered realities of the restaurant industry, alongside the very real work of protecting a legacy brand when the economics get tougher and the stakes get higher.Kathleen shares what she's learned about leadership, resilience, and why being liked was never the goal, while reminding us that you can be serious about your work without taking yourself too seriously.This episode is equal parts grit, honesty, laughter, and grabbing life by the balls... then staying in it long enough to make it matter.

Send us a textConfidence isn't something you magically wake up with one day. It's built quietly, consistently, and often when no one's watching.In this episode, I sit down with mental performance coach and podcast host Sean Fee to talk about what it actually takes to believe in yourself again, especially after burnout, major life changes, or a season that knocked the wind out of you.We get into:Why your brain needs small wins to rebuild confidenceHow micro goals create momentum when motivation is goneWhat “earning your own respect” really looks like in real lifeHow routines, boundaries, and self-talk shape performanceWhy acceptance, not hype, is the real mental edge

Send us a textWhat happens when a brand like Homage hits year 19?You get a conversation that's equal parts thoughtful, absurd, and completely unfiltered. This sit-down with Homage founder, Ryan Vesler jumps from nostalgia and creativity to sales plans, leadership, and the strange realities of building a brand for nearly two decades. Sometimes serious, sometimes sarcastic, and occasionally interrupted by a fart app (because why not). Recorded in a bowling alley locker room, the energy is loose, funny, and honestly kind of a vibe. We talk about how Homage was built on obsession and detail, what changes (and what doesn't) as a brand grows, and why staying creative gets harder when numbers, investors, and expectations enter the picture.What we talk about:What Homage looks like 19 years inCreativity vs. the sales planWhy nostalgia and detail still matterCopycats, competition, and focusLeadership anxiety and overthinkingWhat could be next for Homage beyond apparelIf you've ever built something (or followed a brand long enough to wonder what happens after the early wins) this one's for you.Subscribe for more real, unpolished conversations with founders, creatives, and people building something badass!

Send us a textI don't usually sit down with history professors, but after this conversation, I might need to start.In this episode, I'm joined by Hasan Kwame Jeffries, College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Associate Professor of History at The Ohio State University, and I'll be honest, I was little intimidated. What followed was one of those conversations that stretches you. Not because it's heavy, but because it's honest.We talk about history as story, not nostalgia. About why banning books is a hard no. About capitalism, debt, incarceration, and the long shadow of slavery and how those systems didn't disappear, they just changed shape. Professor Jeffries breaks down complex ideas in a way that's accessible, grounded, and deeply human.He also shares a story about his dad, a baseball call that “was too close to take,” and how that lesson shaped his discipline, his truth-telling, and the way he shows up in the world. We get into what today's college students are really like post-COVID and what it means to live through this moment in America without fear-mongering or performance.This isn't a lecture. It's me asking real questions, sometimes for dummies (my words, not his), and having a conversation that left me thinking long after the cameras stopped rolling.If you've been feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just hungry for context about how we got here this episode is for you.

Send us a textWhat happens when the validation disappears and you're left alone with yourself?In this episode, Keri sits down with Achea Redd for a raw, honest conversation about counterfeit relationships, people-pleasing, and learning how to trust your intuition. Achea shares how being married to NBA Hall of Famer, Michael Redd, sharpened her ability to spot fake energy, forced her to protect her peace, and ultimately pushed her into a deeper relationship with herself.Achea opens up about growing up in a chaotic religious household, becoming addicted to external validation, and how anxiety and panic attacks brought her life to a halt. She reflects on the unseen emotional labor of supporting a high-profile athlete, the identity loss that can come with visibility, and why becoming your own best friend is the foundation for every healthy relationship.This episode explores:What “counterfeit relationships” really look likeWhy visibility and success reveal people's true intentionsLearning to trust your intuition without over-explainingAnxiety, panic attacks, and breaking the stigma around medicationReparenting yourself and setting boundaries with familyChoosing peace, even when it costs you relationshipsThis conversation is for anyone who's outgrown old versions of themselves, is tired of chasing validation, or is learning how to choose themselves without apology.

Send us a textThis week, I'm sitting down with Ashtyn Pharis, founder of Pilates by Ashtyn, the largest Pilates studio in Ohio, to talk about the long game of building: discipline, identity, and knowing when to go all in… and when to walk away.We unpack her path from elite athletics to heavy weightlifting, shutting down a decade-long online fitness business, and rebuilding from the ground up with a business rooted in relationships not transactions. We also talk about control, scaling, burnout, and why the client experience matters more than trends, algorithms, or competition.

Send us a textWe weren't planning on dropping another episode before the new year, but when the timing feels right, you listen.This is a special holiday re-share of my conversation with Vanessa Torres from Freedom a la Cart, an organization doing some of the most important, powerful work in our community.In this episode, Vanessa shares her personal story of surviving human trafficking and what real healing actually looks like when someone is met with safety, employment, community, and time. We talk about trauma bonds, recovery, motherhood, and the long road back to trust. Both in others and in yourself. It's honest, heavy at times, and deeply human.We're bringing this conversation back right now because Freedom a la Cart, like many nonprofits, was recently denied grant funding they were counting on. In response, their team launched an end-of-year giving campaign to help bridge the gap and continue supporting survivors during a season when the need is especially real.If this episode moves you, you'll find a link to their Freedom Matters campaign below. Whether you give, share, or simply listen with intention. Every bit of support matters.✨ Learn more or support their campaign here: https://freedomalacart.org/freedom-matters/Thank you for being here and for being part of a community that shows up when it counts.

Send us a textIt's just you and me today, friend—and this one has been a long time coming. I'm giving you the full behind-the-scenes download on everything we've been building: why the show has been quiet, what's happening inside our tiny-but-mighty team, and why 2026 is about to be our biggest year yet.I'm also breaking down the heartbeat of all of it: Mental Athleticism. How I use it. Why it matters. And how it became the foundation for the B10 Challenge (starting January 12) and the Build Your Empire Immersion we're launching early next year.If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or convinced your dream is “for other people,” I promise you're not alone. I talk about my own moments of doubt, the quote that pulls me off the ledge every time, and why everything feels impossible… until it doesn't.Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into what's coming, what's changing, and how you can be part of it. Let's keep moving, baby.

Send us a textThis Halloween, we're taking you inside Columbus's viral goth bakery—Bite This—where the bagels are skull-shaped, the playlists are heavy metal, and the owner, Annie Dixon, is redefining what it means to build a brand with bite.In this raw and wildly fun conversation, Annie opens up about her journey from elder emo to entrepreneur — including the dark humor, brutal honesty, and radical self-acceptance that fuel her success.You'll hear:How Annie built Bite This, the goth bakery everyone's lining up for The story behind her viral Skull “Reapers” and bagel bombs The truth about addiction, recovery, and rebuilding your life The business lessons she's learning while scaling a cult favoriteWhether you're an entrepreneur, a creative, or just someone who loves a good comeback story — this one's got layers. (Like a killer brownie.)Connect with Annie: Bite This: https://www.bitethisbyannie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitethisbyannie/Connect with Keri: Watch this episode: https://www.kericroft.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekericroftshow

Send us a textThe Riveter's Amy Nelson joins me on the pod to launch The Brave Shift Live Series—a brand-new collaboration between The Riveter and The B Lab that helps people in business build through the mess.Together, we go deep on what it really means to make a brave shift—the kind that changes everything. From career pivots and business reinvention to mindset and mental athleticism, this episode explores how to listen to your intuition, reset your focus, and build through change with clarity and courage.✨ Inside this episode:The story behind The Riveter x The B Lab collaborationWhat “The Brave Shift” means—and how to know if you're in oneMy personal journey through a brave shiftAmy's evolution through growth, loss, and reinventionFrameworks like The Focus Formula, Internal + External Audits, and DOT (Do One Thing)A first look at The B10 Challenge and how to joinWhether you're pivoting, rebuilding, or just ready for more alignment in your life—this episode will remind you that you're not alone, and that you can build through anything.Listen, subscribe, and join the Brave Shift movement:→ The Riveter → The B Lab newsletter → Follow @TheKeriCroftShow on Instagram for updates

Send us a textThis week, I'm sitting down with Joel Ferno, the founder of Citrin—a valet company that started with $200 and a dream—and now employs over 700 people across the country. But this episode isn't just about business growth. It's about personal growth.Joel gets real about the shadows behind success—depression, marriage struggles, and what happens when achievement isn't enough—and how a single psychedelic journey cracked him wide open. We go there: the messy middle of building a company, the healing work that saved his marriage, and why true leadership always starts within.We talk about:⚡ How he built a multimillion-dollar company while still in college⚡ Why employee-first culture is his secret weapon⚡ The spiritual awakening that changed his life—and his marriage⚡ The role psychedelics can play in healing trauma and addiction⚡ Why “marriage coaching” might just be your next power moveThis one's deep, funny, and brutally honest—the kind of conversation that reminds you success means nothing if you don't know yourself.

Send us a textEveryone's out here glued to their follower count like it's the stock market. But let me hit you with some truth: likes don't pay the bills. Revenue does.In this Ask Amy x The Keri Croft Show mashup, Amy Nelson and I go all in on the difference between chasing vanity metrics and actually building a business that works. We dig into:✨ The wild ROI of email marketing (and why it's still the most underrated tool in the game)✨ How effort—not excuses—is the edge you've been missing✨ Why growth mindset beats “safe and stuck” every single time✨ What it really looks like to start over, pivot, and create something betterAnd in case you missed it—Amy drops something big in this episode: she's officially working with The B Lab. Why? Because even after building The Riveter and leading massive teams, she knows it's never too late to shift gears, find clarity, and build something new that actually fires you up.This one's for anyone who's tired of feeling stuck on the content hamster wheel and ready to put their energy into what actually moves the needle.So quit obsessing over followers. Start building revenue. Let's go. ⚡️

Send us a textLet's just call it like it is—Troy Allen has a reputation. Some people call him a visionary. Others? An a**hole.On this week's episode, I sit down with the man behind Pins, 16-Bit, and some of the biggest nightlife and entertainment concepts in Columbus and beyond. Troy's been building incredible brands people actually feel for decades—and he's not afraid to ruffle feathers along the way.We talk about the highs, the hits, and the hard truths that come with being known as a controversial leader. From losing his marriage and shutting down concepts, to reinventing brands and confronting depression head-on, Troy opens up about his reputation, how he's evolved, and what he's learned from both failure and success.And for everyone asking—yes, we get into the future of The Bogey project. But I'm not spilling the tea here—you'll have to tune in for that

Send us a textWhat happens when you stop reasoning with yourself, stop waiting for permission, and just decide?You get Cory Gregory.This week we packed up the mics and headed out to Buckeye Lake to sit down with Cory on his turf—Muscle Island. And let me tell you…this place isn't just a slice of paradise. It's a masterclass in vision, grit, and relentless execution.We're talking about:⚡ The decisions over feelings mindset that has fueled Cory since day one.⚡ How he turned a wild daydream into a multimillion-dollar legacy property for his family.⚡ Why consistency—not motivation—is the real superpower.⚡ The financial IQ and life lessons baked into building Muscle Island from scratch.⚡ And how to channel discipline into confidence, momentum, and results.Cory doesn't just preach it—he lives it. From 4AM training sessions to building businesses and writing books, his story is proof that if you're willing to put in the work, you can change your trajectory.Quick heads up: my mic had a little attitude during this recording, so my audio isn't as crystal clear as usual—but the conversation is too damn good not to share.

Send us a textThis week, Amy Nelson is back in the studio with me—and we're talking about something I honestly wish we didn't have to: the assassination of Charlie Kirk.Not from a political lens, but from a human one. From the lens of being parents trying to raise kids in a world where violence is live-streamed, group chats move faster than the news cycle, and childhood innocence feels harder and harder to protect.We talk about: ✨ What it means to have real conversations with our kids about violence and humanity. ✨ The tension between wanting to keep them safe while also telling them the truth. ✨ How we, as parents, are holding the weight of this moment—and why silence isn't an option.This isn't about red vs. blue. It's about compassion, courage, and community. It's about asking the hard questions out loud, even when we don't have the answers.Take a breath with us. Tune in. And maybe—just maybe—this conversation helps you feel a little less alone in the heaviness of it all.

Send us a textSome dreams take everything you've got. And then they ask for more.Today, I sat down with Krista Guagenti, founder of Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique, whose story proves what it really means to keep moving—even when the setbacks pile up and the odds feel impossible.Krista didn't grow up with a roadmap to entrepreneurship. She was the first in her family to graduate college, worked 90-hour weeks in corporate America, got turned down by banks (and then turned down again), and faced roadblock after roadblock on the way to bringing Panacea to life. Most people would've quit. Krista doubled down.Because when you believe in your vision—even when no one else does—you find a way.In this episode, we dig into: ⚡ Why grit—not luck—is the real differentiator in business ⚡ How Krista kept pushing when every door slammed in her face ⚡ The messy, non-linear path from Budget Blinds to Panacea ⚡ How personal loss solidified her mission to create a space for healing ⚡ The future of Panacea, including a major new expansion in Bridge ParkIf you've ever felt like giving up on your dream, Krista's story will remind you: setbacks aren't stop signs. They're the proving ground.Follow Krista & Panacea:Panacea Luxury Spa BoutiqueInstagram: @panacealuxuryspaTune into Krista's podcast Serenity and Fire wherever you listen. Also, give her a follow on IG @serenityandfire

Send us a textBefore you can build a business, you've got to build belief.This week I'm pulling back the curtain on a very special B Lab client of mine—Megan Goodman. Megan came in with a head full of ideas, a ton of passion, and (like so many of us) a little voice in her head that kept saying who am I to do this?In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to start from scratch—without a clear roadmap. From vision boards to brand kits, from big dreams to tiny first steps, Megan and I dig into how you move past self-doubt and start building something that feels authentic to you.✨ What we cover in this episode:Why belief in yourself always comes before the business planHow to find your “first pin on the map” when you want to do all the thingsWhy changing your mind (again and again) is part of the creative processWhat happens when you give yourself permission to start small—and grow from thereMegan's story is proof that you don't have to have it all figured out to take action. You just have to start.