On this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with longtime Middle Tennessee realtor and 615 Podcast host, Nick Woodard. They dig into what it really takes to stand out in a crowded real estate market, how authenticity online can quietly build a powerful client pipeline, and why Middle Tennessee keeps attracting families from all over the country.

Nick shares stories from 22 years in real estate, from viral influencer-parody videos that accidentally drove new business, to ethical nightmares with other agents, to helping out-of-state clients find not just a house, but a whole new way of life. They also talk hunting, land management, raising kids with situational awareness, the tension between faith and “the religion business,” and what long-term success actually looks like beyond the next commission check.

Quick Timestamps:
0:00 The viral influencer-parody video that brought real clients
7:03 Real estate in uncertain times and “war mode” headlines
11:40 When another agent does you dirty and how you respond
20:44 Being authentically yourself online and attracting like-minded clients
23:39 Taking California clients shooting and giving them a Tennessee experience
35:46 Is it a good time to invest or flip in and around Williamson County
39:51 Land appreciation stories you wish you had lived through
42:14 College, money, and what “enough” really looks like
57:16 The “religion business,” megachurch scandals, and term limits for pastors

Connect with Nick:
Website: nickwoodard.com
Instagram: @nickwoodardrealtor
YouTube: @nickwoodardrealtor

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****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: www.mmtbp.com www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos __________________________________________________________
Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP. Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept: https://linktr.ee/mamwmw
___________________________________________________________
If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours! https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668
___________________________________________________________
***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”: https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip _________________________________________________________________
The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out: Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org ______________________________________________________________________
Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, host Jim McCarthy sits down with Greg Oliver and Abigail Garrett of GOA Speakers to unpack the business of booking faith-based speakers, comedians, and artists.

Greg shares how he went from running a massive Christian nightclub in Texas to building a Nashville-based agency that represents some of the biggest names in Christian speaking and leadership, including John Maxwell, Lisa TerKeurst, Scott Hamilton, Lee Strobel, and Willie Robertson. Abigail walks through how GOA leverages social media, email marketing, and content to champion their speakers and grow demand.

They talk about the grind of the early days (including giant long-distance phone bills), how the industry has changed, why COVID nearly wiped out live events, and what aspiring speakers really need to do before they’re ready for representation.

Whether you’re a business owner, a podcaster, or an aspiring speaker, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons on persistence, diversification, and building a reputation over decades.

Timed Highlights:
00:00 GOA Speakers intro: booking music artists and speakers

00:25 Show open: Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

02:30 Meet Greg Oliver and Abigail Garrett from GOA Speakers

03:32 Launching the GOA Speakers Podcast and why they started it

04:25 How GOA vets speakers and why most inquiries get a no

07:07 Why GOA focuses on faith-based speakers who can also serve corporate events

08:52 Greg’s entrepreneurial journey: janitorial business to Christian nightclub

09:55 Running a 1,000-seat Christian venue with concerts every weekend

13:47 Moving from Texas to Nashville and battling for industry acceptance

21:36 Diversifying with a speakers bureau and merchandising company

24:49 Shifting focus from music artists to speakers and why speakers are easier to book

28:42 COVID’s impact on live events and how merchandising kept them afloat

30:56 GOA’s speaker mix: Bible teachers, athletes, comedians, and more

33:33 How Abigail joined GOA and grew into marketing and PR

41:08 Daily social media and email tactics to keep speakers in front of planners

49:14 Real advice for aspiring speakers on getting stage time and building a platform

54:17 Why publishers, books, and podcasts all matter for speaker demand
01:01:24 GOA’s deeper mission: making an eternal impact through events

Visit GOASpeakers.com to explore their roster of faith-based speakers, authors, athletes, comedians, and leaders.

_____________________________________________________________________

****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________

If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

___________________________________________________________

***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

_________________________________________________________________

The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

Jim sits down with legendary live-event entrepreneur Scott Scovill to unpack how a kid who flunked out of college, battled crippling fear of failure, and waited tables at Howard Johnson’s ended up pioneering concert video, touring with the biggest acts in the world, and building Moo TV.

Scott shares the true origin story behind his career, the life-changing U2 moment that set everything in motion, the loss of his mentor that pushed him into entrepreneurship, and why he wrote a self-help book for people who hate being told what to do.

If you’re a business owner, creative, or late bloomer wondering if it’s “too late,” this one will hit home.

Timed highlights:
0:00 Scott’s fear of being told what to do and why he wrote “Tenacious”
1:19 Jim sets the scene: Middle Tennessee Business Podcast and studio talk
3:43 Flunking out, anxiety attacks, and being labeled a “bad student”
5:34 The low point: waiting tables at HoJo’s and the U2 tour bus moment
6:48 Paradigm shift in the dark: “This is what you’re going to do with your life”
9:21 The scalp-shirt tour schedule that changed everything
10:40 Quitting three jobs, leaving college, and the worst plan in music history
11:22 “I was told I couldn’t sing” and the big life shift around 40
13:33 Paper tigers and learning to try despite fear of failure
19:03 Sneaking into U2 shows, getting fined by the union, and almost getting arrested
20:09 Choosing video when video was brand new
21:21 Corporate ballroom grind, panic attacks, and being far from the dream
25:27 Redefining success: loving the ride, not just the goal
27:27 Frustration as fuel and knowing when to walk away from a “good” job
29:09 Getting fired from a rap tour and sneaking back into the stadium
30:39 “I’m yelling at this guy because I’m frustrated with my life” – meeting Pete
31:19 The Rolling Stones opportunity and leaving the safety net
38:12 New York vs Nashville vs LA: honesty, fakeness, and “what can you do for me?”
40:00 Inventing an industry: the birth of Moo TV as a content company
42:14 The call: Lee is gone – carjacking, grief, and devastation
45:00 Keeping a mentor alive by starting a hardware company
46:33 Realizing four years in that Lee was still gone and needing a new “why”
48:38 Hiring for personality, work ethic, and “great hang” over pure skill
50:15 Culture, loyalty, and why Scott turns down offers to sell
55:21 Being proud but not pretending to be perfect
57:22 Fear as fuel and beating it one day at a time
1:00:09 “There is no crisis” and taking the next step
1:01:30 Just take a step: breaking inertia and getting unstuck
1:03:22 What Scott wants next: giving back, speaking, and making music
1:05:18 Consolidation in music, live events, and why Moo TV stays independent
1:10:17 Starting to play music at 45 and opening for big acts in Europe
1:12:01 Where to find Scott and pre-order “Tenacious”

_____________________________________________________________________

****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________

If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

___________________________________________________________

***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

_________________________________________________________________

The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with mediator and veteran civil litigator Tamara Gauldin to explore what it really means to stay neutral in a polarized world. They discuss mediation, control, apologies, faith, parenting, and how our idea of “good” is often a matter of perspective.

Tamara shares how she left corporate America to start her own mediation practice, why she’s more open-minded now than ever, and what she’s learned watching people fight over everything from legal disputes to kids’ toys.

Timed Highlights:
0:00 Leaving corporate America and redefining risk
0:46 Welcome to the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast
1:00 Flat earthers, moon landing doubts, and belief systems
3:30 Show sponsors and the rise of E-bikes
4:58 Tamara’s cycling background and E-bike skepticism
6:24 Introducing mediator Tamara Gauldin
7:00 Faith, open-mindedness, and evolving beliefs
8:04 Rotating churches, meditation, and embracing different traditions
8:39 Who decides what’s “good”? Shifting paradigms and ideology
9:55 “Think together, not think alike” – the philosophy of mediation
11:50 Control, trust, and what really drives most disputes
13:31 Good vs bad, Super Bowls, 9/11, and subjective morality
15:04 Admitting we don’t know and making informed decisions anyway
16:10 Marriage, conflict, and the power of cooling off
17:41 Why apologies matter more than we think
18:12 The surprising number of people who just want “I’m sorry”
20:00 How many mediations Tamara handles and where she volunteers
20:30 Why mediating between kids can be harder than adults
20:51 Why Tamara won’t mediate for her own family
21:18 Bias, neutrality, and staying fair as a mediator
22:59 From litigator to mediator: Tamara’s 20-plus-year legal journey
24:24 Inside insurance defense and employment law

_____________________________________________________________________

****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________

If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

___________________________________________________________

***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

_________________________________________________________________

The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

Executive coach, author, and lifelong entrepreneur Marc A. Wolfe joins Jim McCarthy to break down the “Yeah, but…” excuses that keep leaders and business owners stuck. From college vs. alternative paths, intrapreneurship vs. entrepreneurship, and failing forward, to fake gurus, AI, and the power of being a “certified human,” Marc shares straight‑talk insights on creating real options in your career and business—without pretending everything’s perfect.

Key Highlights
The “Yeah, but…” trap – The three most common excuses Marc hears (“no time,” “what if I fail,” “what will people think?”) and how to reframe them.

College vs. outcomes – Why nobody really wants college or a job; they want what those paths can provide.

Entrepreneur, intrapreneur, multipreneur – How to build multiple income streams even if you stay employed.

From film to Apple to exec coaching – Marc’s path from freelance photography to Apple dealer to executive coach.

Fixed vs. growth mindset – Why the most valuable people are often the ones who ask, “How do I improve this?”

Failure as a feature – Using missteps as data instead of evidence you’re not good enough.

Real coaching vs. hucksters – What legitimate executive coaching looks like in a world of “overnight success” gurus.

The “Now / Near / Next / No” filter – A simple way to prioritize (and kill) ideas so you can actually move forward.

Being a “certified human” in the AI age – How showing you’re real, present, and imperfect can
be your best differentiator.

As you listen, think about the “yeah, buts” that are running your own decisions—career, business, or life—and which one needs to go first.

Follow Marc:
https://www.marcawolfe.com/

_____________________________________________________________________
****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos
__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________
If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!
https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668
___________________________________________________________
***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:
https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip
_________________________________________________________________
The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:
Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org
______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

Entrepreneur Ander Sevilla, founder of Black Light, joins host Jim McCarthy to share how he went from selling duct tape wallets in 4th grade to building a fast-growing marketing and private equity hybrid based in Nashville. Ander talks about losing everything (twice), moving cross‑country to start over, turning an Antioch house into an incubator, and raising capital to scale Black Light into multiple markets.

They dive into:

Why he left law school plans for entrepreneurship

How Black Light takes equity stakes in businesses instead of just fees

What he looks for in founders and teams

The real value of college vs. trades vs. starting a business

Culture, hiring (and firing friends), and staying “green so you grow”

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the grind, this episode is a reminder that there’s no single “right” path to building a business—only the one you’re willing to bet on, learn from, and keep showing up for. Tune in, take notes, and then take action on the ideas that hit home for you.

Follow Ander:

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

_____________________________________________________________________

****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________

If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

___________________________________________________________

***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

_________________________________________________________________

The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode of The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy talks with Rob Steier about his unconventional journey from pulling cable in his dad’s Wisconsin security business to firefighting, exotic car brokerage, and now commercial real estate and private equity.

Rob shares the freeway accident that pushed him into firefighting, what he learned serving as an EMT, and how he parlayed trust with high-net-worth clients into brokering ultra-rare Ferraris and other supercars. Jim and Rob also dive into dealership culture, Nashville’s booming luxury car scene, and how being a connector can unlock million-square-foot real estate deals.

Highlights:
Growing up in a family security business and starting at the bottom

Shutting down his first company and finding new purpose as a firefighter

Transitioning into exotic cars and working only with ultra-rare inventory

Inside Ferrari’s strict brand rules and the economics of scarcity

Using long-term relationships to move into commercial and industrial real estate

Whether you’re building a business, reinventing your career, or just figuring out what’s next, Rob’s story is a reminder that opportunity often comes from showing up, serving well, and staying connected. Hit play to hear how one man’s path from cable floors to fire trucks to Ferraris turned into a life built on trust, relationships, and saying “yes” when the right doors open.

Follow Rob:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-steier/

_____________________________________________________________________
****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos
__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________
If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!
https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668
___________________________________________________________
***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:
https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip
_________________________________________________________________
The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:
Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org
______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co