Enthusiastic Life | with Brendan Walsh

From the football field to the boardroom to the world of creative entrepreneurship, Matt Di Dio has built a career defined by determination, reinvention, and a willingness to take on new challenges.A former All-American football player at Wayne State University and a 2026 inductee into the Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame, Matt's journey is anything but ordinary. After a successful career in the automotive industry, he went on to co-found BasedOn, a Detroit-based creative studio focused on brand strategy, design, and storytelling.His story is a fascinating example of how the lessons learned through athletics, business, and life can shape an entirely new chapter.We're excited to welcome Matt to The Enthusiastic Life Podcast and share the story of someone who's continued to evolve, create, and pursue new opportunities throughout his career.🎙️ Episode 56 featuring Matt Di DioHosted by Brendan WalshProduced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaLearn more: https://basedon.com/studio/

In Episode 55 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Detroit musician, filmmaker, photographer, and content creator Yorg Kerasiotis — better known as Yorg Detroit — for a conversation about music, creativity, storytelling, social media, and the city that inspires it all.Yorg's creative journey began on stage, playing in bands and touring across the country. But over time, his passion for music evolved into a new creative pursuit: capturing the artists, performances, and personalities around him through photography and film.That transition eventually led Yorg into the world of social media, where he's become known for using short-form video, photography, and authentic storytelling to help local businesses, brands, and fellow artists connect with their audiences.Brendan and Yorg dive into the evolution of his creative career, the art of capturing great content, what makes social media storytelling effective, and why Detroit continues to produce such an incredible amount of musical talent.And in a full-circle moment, Yorg shares how he's returned to performing music, playing alongside his friend and country music artist Louie Lee.In this episode:Yorg's early years playing in bands and touring the countryTransitioning from musician to photographer and filmmakerCapturing live music, artists, and creative personalitiesThe art of photography and visual storytellingUsing short-form video to grow brands and local businessesWhat makes engaging social media contentSupporting Detroit's artists and creative communityWhy Detroit has produced so many influential musiciansBuilding a career around creativity and passionReturning to the stage with country music artist Louie LeeThe Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan WalshProduced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaFollow Yorg Detroit:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorgdetroit/Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

In Episode 54 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Detroit entrepreneur Mark Rieth, the businessman behind Atwater Brewery, FÜL Beverage, and the revival of Velvet Peanut Butter, for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, taking risks, building great brands, and betting on yourself.Mark's entrepreneurial journey began with a simple homebrewing kit and a passion for making beer. After building a career in the automotive industry, he decided to take a chance on himself, eventually purchasing Detroit's Atwater Brewery and transforming it into one of Michigan's most successful craft beer brands.In 2020, Mark sold Atwater to Molson Coors. Six years later, his journey came full circle when he had the opportunity to buy back the brewery he helped build.But Mark's story doesn't end with beer. He shares his experiences launching a functional beverage company, bringing the historic Detroit brand Velvet Peanut Butter back to life, and discovering what it really takes to build a brand that people connect with.Brendan and Mark also explore the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid, lessons learned through decades of business ownership, and Mark's passion for Michigan State University, where he serves on the Broad College of Business Advisory Board.In this episode:From homebrewing as a hobby to owning Atwater BreweryLeaving the automotive industry to pursue entrepreneurshipGrowing Atwater and selling it to Molson CoorsThe full-circle opportunity to buy back Atwater six years laterLaunching FÜL BeverageReviving Detroit's iconic Velvet Peanut ButterWhat separates great brands from average onesThe biggest pitfalls entrepreneurs should avoidTaking risks, learning from mistakes, and betting on yourselfMark's connection to Michigan State University and the Broad College of BusinessThe Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan WalshProduced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

In Episode 53 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Jared Kozinn, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Spartan Ventures at Michigan State Athletics, for a fascinating conversation about career reinvention, the business of sports, and the future of college athletics.Jared shares his journey through the professional sports industry, including leadership roles with organizations like the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Arizona Coyotes, and the decisions that ultimately brought him to Michigan State.Brendan and Jared explore what it means to bet on yourself, embrace career changes, and navigate an industry undergoing enormous transformation. They also dive into the evolving business of college athletics, the vision behind Spartan Ventures, and what the future could look like for MSU student-athletes, fans, and the university.Along the way, Jared shares stories from his career, including meeting Magic Johnson, and reflects on balancing professional ambition with life as a dad.In this episode:Betting on yourself and making major career changesJared's journey through professional sports organizationsLessons learned working with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Pirates, and other teamsHow the business of college athletics is evolvingThe vision behind Spartan VenturesWhat's next for Michigan State AthleticsLeadership, relationships, and career growthMeeting Magic JohnsonBalancing career ambitions with fatherhoodThe Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan WalshProduced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaLearn more about Jared's work with MSU at https://msuspartans.com/Spartan Ventures:https://www.spartanventures.org/Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

In Episode 52 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Ellsworth Miller of Ellsworth Cutting Tools for an inspiring conversation about unexpected leadership, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and the wisdom of Stoicism.Ellsworth was working in his father's cutting tool manufacturing business when his father's passing suddenly thrust him into a leadership role he had never been trained for. Faced with the responsibility of running the family business, Ellsworth had to learn what it truly meant to be a CEO — navigating challenges, developing his leadership skills, and ultimately helping the company grow to new heights.Brendan and Ellsworth explore the lessons learned along the way, the importance of building a strong workplace culture, and how continuous learning and Stoic philosophy can shape the way we lead, make decisions, and approach life's challenges.In this episode:Unexpectedly stepping into the CEO role after losing his fatherNavigating the challenges of running a family businessGrowing Ellsworth Cutting ToolsLearning to lead without formal leadership trainingBuilding a strong company cultureThe importance of mentorship and VistageLifelong learning and developing better habitsStoicism and its application to business and everyday lifeBooks, philosophies, and lessons that have shaped Ellsworth's mindsetThe Enthusiastic Life PodcastHosted by Brendan WalshProduced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaLearn more about Ellsworth Cutting Tools:https://www.ellsworthtoolsusa.com/aboutAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Episode 50 of the Enthusiastic Life Podcast features Rod Arroyo - founder of Detroit Legacy Tours, urban planner, photographer, and passionate student of Detroit history.Rod joins Brendan for a fascinating look at the city of Detroit - from the decisions that shaped its streets, neighborhoods, infrastructure, and architecture to the people and culture that made the city what it is today.In this episode:What makes Detroit different from other American citiesThe history behind Detroit's planning and infrastructureDetroit's most interesting architectureHow the city's neighborhoods developedThe incredible history of jazz in DetroitSeeing the city through the eyes of a photographerCombining photography, history, and urban planningThe stories behind Detroit Legacy Tours🎙️ Hosted by Brendan Walsh🎥 Produced by Ryan Dewan & Wave MediaFollow Enthusiastic Life:Instagram: @enthusiasticlifepodcastYouTube: Enthusiastic Life PodcastLearn more about Rod & Detroit Legacy Tours:Detroit Legacy ToursNew episodes of the Enthusiastic Life Podcast every week.

What shapes the way we see the world — and who shapes the message?This week, Brendan sits down with Chris Moyer, communications strategist, public speaker, and host of Beyond Both Sides, for a fascinating conversation about the power of communication.Chris shares his unlikely journey from playing college and professional soccer overseas to building a career in PR and public affairs. They dive into how PR has influenced politics and media, how the way we consume information has completely changed, and why communication has played such an important role throughout human history.In this episode: Playing soccer professionally overseas  Going from writer to public speaker and communicator  Building a career in PR and public affairs  How PR shapes politics, media, and public perception  How social media changed the communications industry  Why communication has been essential to human progress  Launching Beyond Both Sides Lessons Chris has learned throughout an unconventional career 🎙️ Hosted by Brendan Walsh 🎥 Produced by Ryan Dewan & Wave MediaFollow Enthusiastic Life: Instagram: @enthusiasticlifepodcast YouTube: Enthusiastic Life PodcastConnect with Chris Moyer: LinkedIn: Christopher D. Moyer Podcast: Beyond Both SidesNew episodes of the Enthusiastic Life Podcast every week.

In Episode 48 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with entrepreneur and founder of The Zealous Root, Vina Taylor.Vina shares the journey behind building The Zealous Root into much more than a salon — creating a workplace where women can thrive and a culture that clients can feel the moment they walk through the door. Founded in 2015, the Grosse Pointe Park salon was intentionally designed with contributions from Detroit artists and makers. Vina and Brendan also have an incredibly personal conversation about her battle with breast cancer, entrepreneurship through adversity, her love of fine art, and why she's so excited about Detroit's growing creative community.In this episode: Building The Zealous Root  Creating an incredible workplace culture for women  Vina's battle with breast cancer  Entrepreneurship through adversity  Building an experience clients want to return to  Leadership, positivity & authenticity  Vina's love of fine art  Detroit's creative renaissance The Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaThe Zealous RootAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

In Episode 47 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with 6x American Ninja Warrior competitor, former biochemist, entrepreneur and keynote speaker Angela Gargano. Angela shares her unlikely journey from working long shifts in a science lab to fitness competitions and eventually American Ninja Warrior — including the devastating ACL injury on national television that threatened to end her career and the long road back to competing again.But the conversation goes well beyond Ninja Warrior. Angela and Brendan talk about resilience, separating your identity from an outcome, building the Pull-Up Revolution, her transition into keynote speaking, and why sometimes the journey toward the goal ends up becoming more important than the goal itself. Her Pull-Up Revolution has since grown into a program centered around helping women accomplish something many once thought impossible: their first pull-up. In this episode: From biochemistry to fitness  The road to American Ninja Warrior Tearing her ACL on national television  Rebuilding physically and mentally  Why failure doesn't define the journey  Creating the Pull-Up Revolution  Becoming a keynote speaker  Angela's upcoming book  Resilience, confidence & doing hard things Learn more about Angela GarganoThe Pull-Up RevolutionThe Enthusiastic Life Podcast Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave Media

In Episode 46 of The Enthusiastic Life Podcast, Brendan sits down with Emmy Award-winning Detroit TV reporter and longtime media personality Hank Winchester.Hank looks back on his career at WDIV Local 4, life inside the Detroit news business, and what ultimately led him to step away from television and into a completely different chapter of his career.He and Brendan also get into Hank's move into podcasting — from his successful run alongside Kelly Stafford on The Morning After to launching his own podcast studio and teaming up with longtime Detroit radio personality Spike for Spike & Hank, a new show that says it reached nearly 980,000 listeners in its first six days.And, in true Hank fashion, there are plenty of hilarious stories and tangents along the way.In this episode, we cover: Hank's career in Detroit television  What life is really like as a local TV reporter  His experience podcasting with Kelly Stafford  The evolution of personality-driven media  Launching Spike & Hank What's next for Hank  Detroit, family, life and plenty of laughs Check out more of Hank - Spike & HankThe Enthusiastic Life Podcast is Hosted by Brendan Walsh Produced by Ryan Dewan | Wave MediaAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.