Financial advisor Shane Bauman joins the Sharpen Podcast to talk about the shame so many of us carry around money, why true wealth is closer to wholeness than a portfolio number, and how to pass down values, not just assets, as a real inheritance.

Connect with Shane at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebauman/

Learn more about Rise Wealth Strategies at: risewealth.org

Learn more about Acumen: https://go.acumenimpact.com/why-acumen

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, hosts Dan Cooper and Steve Van Diest celebrate the 50th episode and reflect on 15 years of Acumen.

Together, they discuss what they have learned from working with CEOs and business owners, including the value of peer advisory teams, honest feedback, trusted community, faith-infused leadership, and stewardship.

Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Bobby Gruenewald, pastor and innovation leader at Life.Church and founder and CEO of YouVersion.

Bobby shares his journey from early entrepreneurship to Life.Church, the story behind the Bible App, and the leadership lessons learned along the way.

Connect with Bobby:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbygruenewald/
https://www.youversion.com

Learn more about Acumen:

https://acumenimpact.com

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Dan Martella, who leads business development for Bennett Thrasher. They discuss how growth-minded business owners can move beyond reactive compliance and build advisory relationships that support stronger decisions, better capacity, and long-term growth.

Dan shares insight on state and local tax challenges, founder-led sales, owner dependency, business valuation, delegation, professional advice, and the personal leadership work required to let go of control and show up with authenticity.

Learn more about Dan and Bennett Thrasher here: https://www.btcpa.net or connect on LinkedIn

Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Merle Mees of Soulcare Matters to talk about the hidden cost of leadership pressure, the warning signs of soul depletion, and the rhythms that help leaders recover clarity, rest, and wholeness.

Merle shares his own story of burnout and explains why soul care is not just another responsibility. It is the work of tending to the inner life that shapes how leaders show up for their families, teams, organizations, and calling.

Connect with Guest:

Learn more about Soul Care Matters or connect with Merle on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Jon Bachura, an Acumen Growth Catalyst in Wichita, to talk about generational leadership transitions, legacy, founder identity, and the future of family enterprise.

Jon shares why successful transitions are not only about financial structure or choosing the next operator. They require leaders to think clearly about calling, family dynamics, outside talent, governance, and the deeper purpose behind the business.

Connect with Jon Bachura and learn more about the teams he is building in Wichita here.

Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Zack Nicholson, Executive Director at Minding the Gap, to talk about leadership, service, and what it takes to build trust in schools and communities over time.

Zack shares his journey from entrepreneurship to ministry to nonprofit leadership, along with practical lessons on serving real needs, leading volunteers, and creating lasting impact through consistency and commitment.

Learn more about Minding the Gap here

Connect with Zack Nicholson on LinkedIn

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Duane Donner, founder and CEO of Founder Advisors, to talk about what it takes to build a company that is valuable, transferable, and aligned with a larger purpose. Duane shares how early failure, burnout, and a hard reset in both business and life shaped the way he rebuilt his career and eventually grew an M&A advisory firm focused on stewardship, trust, and long-term impact.

Together, Drew and Duane unpack what CEOs and business owners need to understand about succession, deal readiness, valuation, private equity, and leadership depth. The conversation matters for leaders because it reframes transition planning as more than a financial event. It is also a leadership decision about reducing risk, preserving influence, and building something that can last beyond the founder.

• Learn more about Duane Donner and Founder Advisors here
• Connect with Duane on LinkedIn
• Take the Investment Grade Assessment
• Learn more about Abide and Lead Ministry

Interested in learning more about Acumen visit us here.