Walker Evans, co-founder of Columbus Underground, discusses his journey from tech enthusiast to journalism and the importance of filling a void in local news. He emphasizes the need to stay positive and focus on solutions when examining systemic problems and encourages cities to invest in the arts to create a vibrant culture. Walker also shares his experience curating events in the early days of Underground and navigating negative feedback in the online sphere. Lastly, he shares insight on the food scene in Columbus and unpacks issues with mass consolidation in US industries.

Today on Gravity:

• Columbus Underground and its importance to the city
• Staying positive and providing enjoyable news
• Investing in the arts and creating culture in cities
• Early days of Underground and curating events
• Addressing systemic problems with nuance and solution
• Issues with mass consolidation in industries

Connect with Walker:

• Website: columbusunderground.com 

Connect with Brett:

• Instagram: @brettkaufman 
• Website: thegravitypodcast.com 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Blake Compton, founder of Compton Construction and partner in Side Street Development, shares his journey from a childhood around the foster system and generational trauma to running a successful construction company. He recounts impactful lessons from his teenage years that informed his career trajectory, and unpacks the importance of empowering those who work alongside him. Blake discusses how coaching and therapy completely transformed his life and career, along with his experiences with plant medicine that have allowed him to heal childhood wounds.

Today on Gravity:

• Childhood experiences around the foster system
• Blake's early teens and experiences with therapy, gaming, and small business
• How Blake empowers the people he manages
• Blake's experience with plant medicine & healing childhood wounds
• Walking away from a destructive lifestyle and facing the fear of failure

Connect with Brett:

• Instagram: @brettkaufman 
• Website: thegravitypodcast.com 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

In this emotionally raw and vulnerable episode, entrepreneur and CEO of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), Greg Davies, shares his journey of overcoming obstacles and trauma to become a strong and committed leader. Despite a difficult childhood and the suicide of his brother, Greg found his way to success through hard work and determination.

Greg shares how through therapy and recovery, he was able to reclaim his identity and find the strength to keep moving forward, even after the devastating loss of his wife to suicide. Today, Greg continues to lead with a foundation of love, both in his work with the CDDC and in his role as a father.

Today on Gravity:

• Overcoming obstacles & finding success without traditional pedigree
• Coping with trauma and the suicide of a loved one
• Finding identity and reclaiming self-worth
• Leadership in politics and managing people
• Greg’s journey with therapy and recovery
• Love as a foundation for personal and professional success

Connect with Brett:

• Instagram: @brettkaufman 
• Website: thegravitypodcast.com 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today, Brett takes listeners through his simple yet impactful morning routine, sharing the disciplines that help him release energy to be freer throughout his day. Brett discusses his love of reading and why he enjoys having multiple books in process at once, sharing insights from titles such as The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and The Power of Kabbalah. 

Brett also touches on the importance of journaling, both as a form of meditation and as a way to practice conscious creation and gratitude. He shares his thoughts on the practice of Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" morning pages, and encourages listeners to allow their energy to flow freely and connect with the constant stream of energy moving within all of us.

Today on Gravity:

• Starting the day: releasing and moving energy
• Going deeper with Brett’s disciplines of reading & journaling
• How to show up more fully in your life
• Dreaming, gratitude, and conscious creation

Books:

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
• The Power of Kabbalah by Yehuda Berg
• Letting Go: The Pathway to Surrender by David Hawkins
• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Connect with Brett:

• Instagram: @brettkaufman
• Website: thegravitypodcast.com 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today's guest on the Gravity Podcast is Joshua Clark, an award-winning Columbus-based filmmaker. His production company is located in Franklinton, at the Idea Foundry, placing his inspiring creative endeavors squarely in the Gravity universe; it was only a matter of time before we crossed paths and I’m so glad that we did.

He shares his vivid story of growing up in Pittsburgh in the view of violence and volatility, his own path into the same kinds of destructive patterns as a youth, reaching rock bottom with a suicide attempt, and how therapy helped him ultimately discover filmmaking as an outlet for positive impact.

His voice is authentic and measured as we discuss the heavy burdens he’s uncovered and overcome through emotional explorations with his family back home – a growth and personal development he’s captured on film for the Cinema Columbus Film Festival, titled: Cycle Breakers. It certainly sounds like Joshua has put together a truly special behind-the-scenes piece of American life and I’m looking forward to seeing the end result. 

Joshua’s story has a different frequency to it than most we hear on this podcast. Its vivid colors are important to include in the rainbow of experience that we call life. I’m grateful he took the time to speak with me today and hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. 

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Watch the Trailer: Cycle Breakers 

• Linkedin: Joshua Clark

• Instagram: @gymfeaproductions

• Website: gymfea.com

• YouTube: GYMFEA Productions

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.

Today's guest on the Gravity Podcast is Dr. Jeffrey Gladden. Many of you have probably heard me talk about the Gladden Longevity Clinic in Dallas, Texas – Dr. Gladden’s functional medicine and wellness clinic that he started. I have been, and many others have been, the beneficiaries of this phenomenal facility that's really changed a lot for me physically and mentally.

Facing the rest of his life in likely physical and mental decline, Dr. Gladden made his own path – leading to his own truth. He cracked the code for himself, coming to profound questions and answers which drove him to a renewed passion for helping others turn back the clock, stay young, and lead their most impactful lives.

Dr. Gladden is, amongst other things, due to release his first book, Making 100 The New 30, which provides the basis for most of our conversation today. It was fun for me to have a chance to share his story with the Gravity community. Enjoy.

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Podcast: Making 100 The New 30
• Podcast: Gladden Longevity Podcast
• Linkedin: Jeffrey Gladden MD, FACC
• Website: gladdenlongevity.com
• Instagram: @gladdenlongevity
• YouTube: Gladden Longevity
• Facebook: Gladden Longevity

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.

Today's guest on the Gravity Podcast is Simon Fraser, an English comedian by way of Yale who’s set down roots here in Columbus, committing himself to developing the comedy scene in a city he’s grown so fond of.

Traveling around the country to open mics for the last six years, we talk about the many lessons in comedy he’s picked up, the steps it takes (in a digital age) to get your content seen and heard en masse, and the way comedy colors his view on the world.

We also touch on his childhood as a troublemaker, facing rejection at Yale, our shared marathon experiences, and an important standard for every comedian – the value of bombing a set.

Simon also produces Don't Tell Comedy shows around town, up to four every weekend, which have gone sold out for 54 shows straight since September of 2022. It certainly seems like he’s onto something; we find common ground in our belief that Columbus is the perfect place to build something – and I look forward to watching his plan take shape in the near future.

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Website: simonfrasercomedy.com
• Instagram: @simonloveshighnoons
• Don’t Tell Columbus: @donttellcolumbus
• YouTube: Simon Fraser
• TikTok: @simonfraser_
• Viggo Venn: Viggo Venn at The Comedy Store

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.

Brett drops in for a quick solo episode – an added format to the feed – to discuss what’s on his mind, sharing impactful lessons from workshops and teachers, expansive ideas from books he’s reading, and an impactful Ram Dass quote that can be applied to all of us as we make our way in the world.

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Building Routines for Joy & Fulfillment with Brett Kaufman #138
• Conscious Communities & Creativity with Brett Kaufman #139
• The Pursuit of Happiness & Measuring Progress Backward with Dan Sullivan #89
• Read: The Gap and the Gain
• Read: The Courage to Be Disliked

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.

It’s been a busy few years for Joe DeLoss, to say the least.

Since his last appearance, episode 76, on the podcast, he’s relocated his family, weathered a global pandemic in one of the most dramatically impacted markets, and led Hot Chicken Takeover through an acquisition process – and it hasn’t even been two full years. 

Starting at the beginning, we lay the foundation of his childhood and volunteerism roots, before jumping back into the 2017 rock-bottom which formed the basis of our earlier conversation. 

We talk about the divinity behind his unforeseen move away from urban living to an open space where he and his family could expand their lives, the massive decision to give up majority ownership in his business, and the personal growth he’s experienced from therapy and meditation.

Open and honest as ever, the sense of contentment and self-awareness is palpable in his voice. It’s such a breath of fresh air to hear his POV on the mindsets that lead him to low points and the practices which have helped him recover a true, deep sense of peace.

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Gravity 76: Hot Chicken is Good for the Soul: Business as Spiritual Nourishment with Joe DeLoss #76
• Website: https://www.joedeloss.com
• Order Up: hotchickentakeover.com
• Instagram: @HotChickenTakeover
• Read: The Courage to Be Disliked
• Gravy Stack: gravystack.com

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.

Cardale Jones cares about supporting others – on the field, and off.

The youngest of six siblings, he gets incredibly honest about his upbringing in Cleveland, falling out with his birth mother, being adopted, and the mindset challenges he faced as a highly recruited prep football player.

We get an on-field perspective from behind the facemask of one of the most legendary Buckeye quarterbacks ever – getting thrown into that initial Michigan game, the unbelievable 2014 championship run, his time in the NFL, and where he plans to play next.

Cardale made his dreams come true through hard work and humility. Now, he’s on a mission to do the same for other young people. He’s the founder of TenTalents NIL agency, which supports college players in securing fair Name, Image, and Likeness contracts – an opportunity he was not afforded, but holds no ill will over.

Cardale is most known for authoring one of the greatest college football stories of all time. His past is bright, but his future is even brighter. I’m excited to share this conversation with you today, and look forward to having Cardale on again to cover the release of his autobiographical book later this year.

To learn more, visit: thegravitypodcast.com

Resources:

• Instagram: @cardale7_
• NIL: tentalentsnil.com

Gravity is produced by Crate Media.