Summary:

What if your stress isn't just a willpower problem, and it's really your nervous system stuck in overdrive? Ellyn Ito has spent 25+ years bringing new technology to market. When her 15-year-old son was struggling during the pandemic, she went looking for something that could help. His first session on a gentle neuromodulation device shifted things, and within months she had co-founded InnerStill to work toward bringing Mindvybe technology to everyone. Ellyn and Kimberly discuss how chronic stress has become "normal," how the vagus nerve moves us from fight-or-flight into rest-and-recover, and why calm spreads from person to person just like stress does. Ellyn also gets candid about building a startup in a brand-new category: educating a market used to taking a pill, raising mission-aligned capital, and quieting the inner voice that says you're not good enough.

In this episode:

• Neuromodulation and its impact on health
• The role of the vagus nerve in stress regulation
• How technology can help reconnect with oneself
• The development process of MindVibe and its benefits
• Challenges in bringing new health technology to market

Keywords:

neuroscience, neuromodulation, stress relief, nervous system, wellness technology, MindVibe, Ellen Ito, health innovation

Sound bites:

"Loosened stress in the neck and improved mood."

"Stress eclipses our higher cognitive functions."

"Vibing becomes a verb for wellness."

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Kimberly Griggs and the show's focus
• 83:09:05 Introducing Ellen Ito and her work in neuromodulation
• 219:15:49 The significance of the Edison Award for innovation
• 6194:16:00 Background and journey into the neuromodulation space
• 19305:24:00 What problem does Mindvybe solve?
• 359999:52:15 How electrical stimulation affects the brain and nervous system
• 609444:24:44 The importance of calming the nervous system for health
• 748333:19:01 Ellen’s secret sauce for perseverance and impact
• 901666:40:00 Lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators
• 928611:06:40 Closing thoughts and where to learn more about Mindvybe

Takeaways

• Neuromodulation can significantly reduce stress and improve mental clarity
• The Vagus nerve is a critical pathway for managing automatic body functions
• Funding is a major obstacle for health tech startups
• Technology that engages the nervous system passively can be a game-changer for mental health and wellness.

More About Mindvybe

https://www.mindvybe.com/

Connect with Ellyn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellynito/

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Summary:

If your customers can ask AI the same question you'd normally charge them for, what are they actually paying you for?

That's the question driving this month's "Middle of Mastery" conversation with business consultant Rory Sheppard. As AI gives customers direct access to the same research, plans, and answers service providers have always sold, Rory and Kimberly dig into what's still worth paying for — and it isn't the answer itself. It's the expertise to know if the answer's right, the judgment to challenge it, and the relationship a client trusts enough to act on.

Keywords

AI, Pricing, Value, Expertise, Agents, Automation, Leadership, Delegation, Consulting, Accountability, Strategy, Productivity

In This Episode:

• Why "having the answer" stopped being enough once AI could generate one too
• The shift from hourly billing to deliverable-based pricing
• Staying transparent about using AI without devaluing your expertise
• Managing AI agents instead of people
• What to automate first
• Why accountability for the output never transfers to the AI
• Rory's analog counter-practice

Sound bites

"I never trust the first answer."

"It's not a question of did you use AI? It's how did you use AI?"

"You're selling the relationship and trust between you and the person you're doing the work with."

Chapters

00:01 — Intro to "Middle of Mastery" with Rory Sheppard

01:24 — If Customers Can Use AI Too, What Are They Paying You For?

01:48 — How Legitimate Is the Fear About AI Replacing Services?

04:15 — Why a 40-Page AI Business Plan Still Isn't Enough

08:37 — Repositioning the Value of Your Expertise

08:57 — Price vs. Value: Why Deliverable-Based Pricing Is the Shift

12:03 — Should You Disclose How Much AI You Used?

13:20 — How Fast AI Models Are Improving in 2026

14:56 — From Doing the Work to Directing AI Agents

16:35 — What Skills Should Service Providers Build Now?

19:01 — Why You Still Have to Check Every Word AI Gives You

22:15 — Situational Leadership, Applied to AI Agents

24:25 — How to Actually Check an AI Agent's Work

27:53 — When Is a Business Ready to Fully Integrate AI Agents?

31:02 — Why Scaling AI Use Gets Messy Fast

32:30 — Start With Non-Value-Added Work: What to Automate First

35:06 — Why Rory Demands Citations for Every AI-Generated Fact

36:31 — How Do You Track Whether AI's Data Is Even Accurate?

39:18 — Better Prompting: What Actually Improves AI Output

43:59 — Why Talking to AI Might Beat Typing to It

45:34 — Debunking the Myth That Being Mean to AI Helps

48:16 — Three Things Every Service Business Should Evaluate Now

51:50 — The Coming Crisis: Entry-Level Workers Losing "Grunt Work" Training

54:27 — Why Rory's Actually Optimistic About AI and the Workforce

57:50 — Rory's Anchor Points Journal and Why He Still Uses Pen and Paper

01:02:12 — The Focal Practice: Finding What Fully Occupies Your Mind

Special offer! Receive 10% off Rory's Anchor Points Journal

when you mention "Unfinished Business"

Call Now! 806-557-2240

More on West Texas ActionCoach and Rory Sheppard

https://westtexas.actioncoach.com/firm/

Connect with Rory

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorysheppard/

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Summary:

Nearly 20 years ago, David Mitchell was working at West Texas A&M and doing landscaping on the side. What started with projects for friends and family eventually grew into Mitchell Landscaping, a full-service company serving the Texas Panhandle.

In this episode of Unfinished Business, David talks with Kimberly about growing from doing every job himself to leading a team, his passion for creating outdoor spaces where people gather and enjoy life, and why quality and lasting customer relationships remain at the heart of his business.

He also opens up about what growth looks like nearly two decades in—learning to delegate, developing his team, building better systems, and creating a business that doesn’t always depend on him.

It’s a conversation about building something you’re proud of, learning as you go, and realizing that even 20 years in, there’s still unfinished business.

Keywords

Landscaping, Business Growth, Outdoor Living, Texas, Entrepreneurship, Customer Satisfaction, Business Systems, Scaling a Business

Key Topics

Decision to go full-time with landscaping

Importance of quality and customer satisfaction

Scaling challenges and delegation

Designing outdoor living spaces as an extension of home

Trends in outdoor kitchens and fire pits

Training and systems for business growth

Lessons learned and advice for entrepreneurs

Sound bites

"Bought out part of a business to go full time"

"Success is a company that can run without me"

"Building relationships with customers is key"

Chapters

00:00 — Meet David Mitchell, Co-Founder of Mitchell Landscaping

00:57 — Who David Was Before Mitchell Landscaping Existed

02:23 — Was Entrepreneurship Always the Plan?

03:04 — The Moment David Decided to Go All In

04:26 — What Success Looked Like in Year One

05:06 — What Kept Him Going on the Hard Days

05:44 — What People Don't Realize About Starting a Service Business

06:31 — Setting Non-Negotiables Before Hiring Your First Employees

07:37 — What "Quality" Actually Means in Landscaping

09:53 — What Building a Business Teaches You About Staying Humble

11:01 — What People Get Wrong About What Landscaping Really Is

12:52 — The Backyard Project David Will Never Forget

14:58 — What the Design Process Looks Like for a New Customer

16:54 — The Backyard Trends Everyone's Asking About Right Now

18:28 — What a Backyard Transformation Actually Costs

19:05 — Financing Options for Bigger Backyard Projects

20:36 — Rapid Fire: Success, Investments, and a Few Fun Facts

24:54 — The Biggest Challenge of Wearing Every Hat in the Business

26:16 — Passing Knowledge Down to the Next Generation of Leaders

27:02 — Rating His Own Systems on a Scale of One to Ten

28:32 — What Success Means to David Right Now

30:06 — If He Could Change One Thing About the Business Tomorrow

30:58 — The Advice He'd Give His 2006 Self

32:09 — What's Still Unfinished for Mitchell Landscaping

32:44 — What He Hopes Customers Remember 20 Years From Now

34:48 — His Best Advice for Any Aspiring Entrepreneur

More about Mitchell Landscaping

Website - https://www.mitchelllandscaping.net/

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Summary

Most families don't think about neuropsychology until an unexpected injury, illness, or diagnosis changes how someone they love thinks, remembers, or moves through daily life. When that happens, knowing who to call — and what to expect — makes all the difference.

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Caussade Rodríguez, licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of the Dallas Neurorehab Center, breaks down what neuropsychological testing actually involves, how to tell normal aging from something that needs attention, and why family input during an evaluation can completely change a diagnosis.

She also shares practical, doable habits — from the MIND diet to staying socially active — that protect brain health long before any symptoms show up, plus hard-won lessons from building a referral-based practice as a clinical director.

In this episode:

• What neuropsychological testing actually measures — and what an MRI can't tell you
• How to tell normal aging from early signs of cognitive decline
• Why family members often catch what patients don't report themselves
• The habits (diet, socialization, mental stimulation) that protect long-term brain health
• Why "we can wait on this" is the habit Dr. Caussade wants people to unlearn
• Her advice to family caregivers: you can't help your loved one if you're burned out
• Lessons from growing a referral-based practice as a clinical director

Quotable moments:

"There is no such thing as this can wait."

"We have a picture of the house, but we don't know what's going on inside."

"We cannot help them if we're burned out."

Keywords:

brain health, caregiver support, neurological conditions, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's diagnosis, dementia caregiving, neuropsychological testing

Links: Dallas Neurorehab Center — https://dallasneurorehabcenter.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unfinished Business and the focus on neurological health

74:55:20 Guest introduction: Dr. Jennifer Caussade and her role

299:55:22 Jennifer's journey into neuropsychology and what fascinates her about the brain

8666:35:41 Variability in neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

13777:42:38 The journey to Dallas Neuro Rehab and what neurorehabilitation entails

16027:42:45 Understanding neurorehabilitation for a lay audience

19527:42:57 Assessments and diagnostics in neurological conditions

23388:49:51 How tests inform treatment and real-life implications

25666:36:37 Behavioral and psychiatric aspects of brain conditions

29333:16:48 Family involvement in assessment and treatment

34388:50:17 The importance of accurate diagnosis and testing

392777:43:50 Differentiating types of Parkinson's and other movement disorders

456388:50:51 What success looks like in neurorehabilitation

836944:26:34 The ideal world: curing neurological conditions

853611:06:40 Supporting families and caregivers through neurological health

881111:06:40 Lessons for entrepreneurs and clinicians in neuropsychology

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Burnout doesn't always look like exhaustion. Sometimes it looks like a woman who's checked every box — the career, the family, the house — and still can't shake one question: am I really okay inside?

That's the question that changed everything for Jenna Eastvold, a former nurse who left healthcare after COVID reshaped what she valued, and who now coaches women through the same reckoning. In this conversation, she breaks down how to tell a real feeling from anxious noise, how her Hard Stops Framework turns values into actual decisions, and why asking for help is a sign of strength — not a failure to cope alone.

Jenna Eastvold is a certified coach and founder of EnergizeWell, where she helps women reconnect with their values and make confident, values-based decisions.

In this episode:

• What COVID revealed about burnout and values in healthcare workers
• Why self-trust — not willpower — is the real foundation for women balancing career and family
• The Hard Stops Framework: turning your values into an actual decision-making tool
• How to tell the difference between a feeling that's signal and one that's just noise
• Why asking for help is a strength, not a failure
• What living in alignment actually looks like — and why it's what reduces burnout
• The story behind Jenna's book, Stop Overthinking, Start Trusting God

Quotable moments:

"Am I really okay inside?"

"Are my feelings signals or just noise?"

"Trust yourself and live in alignment."

Keywords:

self-trust, career reinvention, burnout recovery, personal growth, values-based decision-making

Connect with Jenna Eastvold on Instagram: @energizewell

Visit Jenna’s Website: https://www.energizewell.com/

Purchase Jenna’s 30 Day Devotional: https://www.amazon.com.be/-/en/Jenna-Eastvold/dp/B0H2TS41DG?language=en_GB

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Unfinished Business and Guest Introduction

05:38 Understanding Behavioral Change in Health

08:48 The Women Jenna Serves: Needs and Aspirations

11:10 Unblocking Decision-Making: The Initial Steps

12:08 The Importance of Slowing Down

13:55 Identifying Core Values and Decision-Making

16:59 The Role of Identity in Values and Decision-Making

19:04 Societal Expectations and Personal Identity

21:10 Consequences of Ignoring Personal Needs

24:17 Advice for Women Seeking Change

26:26 The Challenge of Asking for Help

26:53 The Power of Coaching and Support

33:00 Navigating Personal Challenges and Asking for Help

35:45 Overcoming Setbacks in Business

38:09 Prioritizing Self-Care in Entrepreneurship

40:00 Proud Moments and Transformative Journeys

41:43 Future Aspirations for Energize Well

42:55 The Impact of Jenna's Book

47:15 Empowering Women to Trust Themselves

48:57 Lessons for a Greater Life

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Summary:

What happens when your business is growing, but everything still seems to run through you?

In this episode of Unfinished Business, Kimberly Griggs sits down with monthly guest and business coach, Rory Sheppard to unpack one of the biggest challenges of business growth: Operations.

From constant approvals and inefficient processes to communication breakdowns and the struggle to delegate, Rory explains how leaders can unknowingly become the bottleneck in their own business.

You'll learn how to identify which decisions truly require your attention, eliminate unnecessary steps, improve communication, and build systems your team can actually rely on.

Because better operations aren't about controlling every detail. They're about creating consistent, predictable, reliable results without everything depending on you.

In This Episode:

• How to recognize when you've become the bottleneck
• The Decision Tree: root, trunk, branch + leaf decisions
• Why delegation is critical to growth
• How to eliminate unnecessary process steps
• Why you shouldn't automate a broken process
• How to establish better communication standards
• Why emotional intelligence matters in leadership
• 3 practical ways to improve operations now

Big takeaway: Only do the things that only you can do.

Share this episode with your team and ask: What's slowing us down that we have the power to change?

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to In the Middle of Mastery

01:30 What Better Operations Give You

03:46 What Do Strong Operations Look Like?

09:19 Finding the Points of Failure

14:24 When the Owner Becomes the Bottleneck

18:42 The Decision Tree: What Should You Actually Control?

23:47 From Bottleneck to Air Traffic Control

28:15 How Micromanagement Hurts Your Team

33:26 When Manual Processes Need to Change

4:58 Don't Automate a Broken Process

38:39 Value-Added vs. Non-Value-Added Work

43:28 Why You Should Keep Challenging Your Processes

47:29 Communication: The Hidden Growth Bottleneck

50:35 Setting Communication Standards

53:30 When It's Time to Stop Messaging and Talk

59:49 Emotional Intelligence + Better Leadership

1:03:26 3 Ways to Improve Your Operations

1:06:53 Building Consistency with Anchor Points

Keywords

Business Operations, Business Growth, Operational Bottlenecks, Leadership, Delegation, Business Systems, Process Improvement, Team Communication, Business Efficiency, Scaling a Business, Emotional Intelligence, Business Coaching, Automation, SOPs, Unfinished Business Podcast

Special offer!!! Receive 10% off your copy of Rory’s Anchor Points Journal when you mention “Unfinished Business”

Call Now! 806-557-2240

More on West Texas ActionCoach and Rory Sheppard

https://westtexas.actioncoach.com/firm/

Connect with Rory

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorysheppard/

What happens when your hardest chapter becomes the foundation for your life’s work?

In this episode of Unfinished Business, Kimberly Griggs sits down with Dade Ronan, owner of Recovery Unlimited, to explore how his own experience with addiction shaped his approach to helping others.

Dade shares why meaningful recovery goes beyond treating the individual. From rebuilding trust and involving families to creating healthier support systems, they discuss the ripple effect addiction can have on families and communities—and what it takes to create lasting change.

They also step behind the business of recovery, exploring the challenges of growing Recovery Unlimited, earning trust with referral partners, using technology and data to track progress, and finding new ways to expand access to treatment.

• Dade’s personal journey from addiction to recovery
• Why addiction impacts families and communities
• Understanding the Stages of Change in recovery
• The importance of trust, family involvement, and healthy support systems
• Recognizing potential red flags of addiction
• Building strong relationships with referral partners
• Using technology, data, and progress reporting in treatment
• The challenges of growing a recovery-focused business
• Dade’s vision for expanding access to treatment
• Lessons for entrepreneurs building purpose-driven organizations

00:00 Introduction to Recovery Unlimited
02:49 Dade’s Journey into Recovery and Business
05:32 Understanding Addiction and Its Impact
08:06 The Role of Community in Recovery
11:15 Building Trust and Relationships
13:38 Stages of Change in Recovery
16:15 The Importance of Family Support
18:39 Challenges in the Recovery Process
21:47 The Ripple Effect of Addiction
23:59 Creating a Healthy Support System
31:42 Recognizing Red Flags in Addiction
38:19 Navigating Business Challenges in Recovery Services
44:22 Innovating Through Technology in Treatment
52:47 Future Aspirations for Recovery Unlimited
58:17 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Addiction Recovery, Recovery Support, Addiction Treatment, Family Support, Community Support, Stages of Change, Recovery Services, Treatment Innovation, Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Purpose-Driven Business, Leadership, Trust Building

Recovery Unlimited:
https://recovery-unlimited.com/

Dade’s 31-Day Devotionals

31 Days of Devotions for Dudes
https://www.amazon.com/Days-Devotions-Dudes-Pocket-Devotional-ebook/dp/B08C4KXN32

31 Days of Devotions for Chicks
https://www.amazon.com/-/zh_TW/Dade-Ronan/dp/B0FSDS7CG6

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daderonan/

Summary

In this episode, Kimberly Barclay-Griggs interviews AdrianWinter, co-founder of Beach Life Rentals, about their unique approach to property management on Anna Maria Island. They discuss the importance of transparency, building relationships with homeowners, and the challenges ofmanaging short-term rentals. Adrian shares insights on transforming properties into guest favorites and the future expansion plans for Beach Life Rentals.

Keywords

Beach Life Rentals, Anna Maria Island, vacation homes,property management, guest experience, real estate, short-term rentals,homeowner relationships, property transformation, business expansion

Takeaways

• Beach Life Rentals differentiates itself with a licensed general contracting company.
• The team focuses on providing five-star staysand unforgettable guest memories.
• Building trust with homeowners is crucial forsuccessful property management.
• Transparency in communication helps maintainstrong relationships with clients.
• Adrian emphasizes the importance of treating each property as if it were their own.
• The company uses technology like 3D tours to enhance the guest experience.
• Adrian shares that they have never had issues with property damage from renters.
• The team is committed to maximizing revenue for homeowners through strategic improvements.
• Future expansion plans include exploring new markets while staying true to their roots.
• The goal is to create unforgettable experiences for guests visiting Anna Maria Island.

Sound bites

"What makes Beach Life Rentals unique?"

"We want to stay true to our roots."

"Connect with us at Beach Life Rentals."

Chapters

00:00 Building Beach Life Rentals: The Origin Story

06:07 Life on Anna Maria Island: A Personal Perspective

07:18 Challenges in Luxury Property Management

07:49 Strategies for Success in Property Management

08:32 The Secret Sauce of Beach Life Rentals

11:04 Standing Out in a Crowded Market

13:54 Balancing Homeowner and Guest Relationships

16:52 Transparency and Trust in Property Management

19:39 Common Misconceptions About Short-Term Rentals

22:10 Key Questions for Potential Investors

24:11 Future Growth and Opportunities for Beach Life Rentals

For more information on Beach Life Rentals Visit:

https://beachliferentalsfl.com/

#BeachLife #VacationRentals #Entreprenuership #ShortTermRentals