Real Success with Nate Kaeding
by Corridor Media Group
“Real Success,” produced in partnership with former NFL athlete and entrepreneur Nate Kaeding, is a collection of conversations with Iowa-connected doers about success, purpose, and what makes them tick. Our hope is that you’ll learn something new about these notable leaders and that the conversations will perhaps play some small part in helping you further define what real success means to you.This Corridor Media Group podcast is sponsored by MidWest One Bank.
Episodes
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Episode #84: Matt and Jear Greiner, GG's Pasta.
Matt and Jear Greiner are the co-founders of GG’s Pasta, a fresh-pasta business based in Iowa City. The two met while studying culinary arts in Florence, Italy, where pasta-making became a shared passion. Jear and Matt discuss how they turned that passion into a business, from testing recipes in…
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Episode #83: Zach Lahn, Republican Candidate for Governor
Zach Lahn is a political candidate, entrepreneur, and farmer with multi-generational roots in Iowa agriculture. A self-described political outsider, he brings a background in business and a focus on long-term cultural and economic sustainability to his first campaign for public office. Zach…
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Episode #82: Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor and Democratic Candidate for Governor
Rob Sand is the State Auditor of Iowa and a gubernatorial candidate with deep roots in the state, growing up in the northeastern town of Decorah. As a statewide elected official and a parent, he brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing Iowans today. In this...
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Episode #81: Britton Langdon, BuildFactory
Britton Langdon is the Founder and CEO of the startup BuildFactory, an off-site construction ecosystem that is connecting teams, streamlining procurement, and cutting risk. Britton shares the story behind building a cutting-edge software ecosystem for construction prefabrication, drawing on his...
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Episode #80: Nate Kaeding on the Corridor's Newest Golf Course
Nate Kaeding, the former University of Iowa All-American and NFL All-Pro kicker who has since become a prominent real estate developer and entrepreneur, is interviewed by J.R. Ogden, celebrated journalist and sports columnist for the Corridor Business Journal. Nate shares the vision behind his...
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Episode #79: Jeremy Wilhelm, Lamb's Quarter Livestock and Rhubarb Botanicals
Jeremy Wilhelm is working to reshape the agricultural landscape in Eastern Iowa as the Co-Owner of Lamb’s Quarter Livestock and Rhubarb Botanicals. Jeremy shares the story of returning to his family’s land near Springville and Mount Vernon, transforming it from decades of monocrop corn into a...
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Episode #78: Luke Eustice, Iowa City Area Sports Commission (with Special Guest J.R. Ogden)
Luke Eustice is the director of the Iowa City Area Sports Commission where he leads the charge in recruiting, supporting, and executing sporting events across Johnson County and the Corridor. In this episode, Nate is also joined by J.R. Ogden, a veteran sports journalist who spent 48 years as an...
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Episode #77: Taylor Getting, Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging
Taylor Getting is a pilot, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging, an innovative agritourism destination just outside North Liberty, Iowa. Taylor shares the story of how he and his wife transformed a sand-laden Iowa farm into a thriving lavender oasis complete with…
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Episode #76: Mike Hlas, Sports Journalist
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Mike Hlas, a sports journalist who has spent more than 40 years chronicling Eastern Iowa athletics and beyond for the Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mike looks back on his legendary career including his perspective on the changing journalistic landscape…
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Episode #75: The CBJ's 2025 End-Of-Year Recap
In this episode of Real Success, Nate is joined by Alexandra Olsen and John Lohman, the editor and CEO/Owner of the Corridor Business Journal, respectively, to discuss the biggest business-related news stories of 2025 and take a look ahead at what’s in store for the corridor in 2026. This podcast...
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Episode #74: Audrey Wiedemeier, Iowa City Bike Library
Audrey Wiedemeier is the Executive Director of the Iowa City Bike Library, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to making bicycling accessible, sustainable, and fun for everyone in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Corridor. Audrey shares the story of how she discovered the Bike Library as a University…
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Episode #73: Bennet Stirtz, University of Iowa Men's Basketball
Bennett Stirtz is the Iowa native who has transferred to the University of Iowa to spend his senior year playing guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes Men’s Basketball Team. Bennett shares a look into his unique journey from Northwest Missouri State to the University of Iowa, his relationship with his...
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Episode #72: Robert Gallery, Athletes for Care
Robert Gallery is a former professional football player in the NFL and teammate of mine from our days at the University of Iowa together who now serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Athletes for Care, a nonprofit organization supporting research and advocacy for athlete mental health. Robert…
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Episode #71: Sawyer Whisler, Farmer Grade
In this episode, business leaders hear from Sawyer Whisler, founder of Farmer Grade, a direct-to-consumer meat company. Whisler discusses building a transparent supply chain by partnering with farmers who share their practices on social media, navigating USDA processing logistics, and the...
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Episode #70: Mike and Nate Dunn, F&M Bank
Mike and Nate Dunn are the father and son duo leading F&M Bank, the local Iowa bank celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Nate currently serves as the President and CEO, and his father, Mike, now serves as the Chairman. Mike and Nate join me to discuss how they’re celebrating 100 years of...
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Episode #69: Clare Duffy and Eric Hanson, The Morning Scramble on Z102.9
Clare Duffy and Eric Hanson are the Co-Hosts of The Morning Scramble, the morning radio show on KZIA (known by its broadcast frequency, “Z102.9”) the independent Top 40 radio station based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Clare and Eric join me to discuss the golden age of country music, Eric’s experience at...
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Episode #68: Tiffany Earl Williams, Midwest Equity
Tiffany Earl Williams is the CEO of Midwest Equity and a Broker at Skogman Commercial Real Estate. Tiffany joins me to discuss the current state of the real estate market in Eastern Iowa, what makes a good real estate investment, and how she got her start in the industry. She also shares the…
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Episode #67: Jordan Sellergren, Little Village Magazine
"Jordan Sellergren is the new owner and publisher of Little Village, the Iowa City-based alt weekly magazine where she has worked the past 10 years. Jordan joins me to discuss why she purchased Little Village, what it has been like to take over operations during our current news climate, and her...
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Episode #66: Caleb Knutson, Downtown Cedar Rapids
On Today's Episode: Caleb Knutson is the new executive director of Downtown Cedar Rapids, a role he began late last year following a decade of industry experience. Caleb joins Nate to discuss the ways that downtown Cedar Rapids is unique, how he approaches his new role, and explores some of the...
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Episode #65: Jesse Sauerbrei, Lincoln Wine Bar
Jesse Sauerbrei is the Owner of Lincoln Winebar, the acclaimed wood fire pizza and wine restaurant in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Jesse joins me to discuss how he came upon the opportunity to purchase the wine bar, his childhood love of pizza, and an inside look at how the business operates. He also…
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Episode #64: Sam Gelman, The Webster
Sam Gelman is the Co-Owner of The Webster and The Paper Crane, two restaurants in Iowa City that are leading Iowa’s culinary scene. Sam sits down to discuss his perfect winter meal, how he sees the Midwest developing in the culinary world, and what he feels the average customer may not understand...
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Episode #63: Ryan Miller. Farmers Hen House
On Today's Episode: Ryan Miller is the Co-Owner and President of Farmers Hen House, the Kalona-based company providing organic, cage-free eggs to the nation. Ryan sits down to discuss how his family made their way into this business, why the egg business pulled him away from a career as a school...
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Episode #62: Bob Brown, CEO of Modern
On Today's Episode: Bob Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of Modern, the comprehensive full-service mechanical contractor that has been serving clients for 85 years. Bob sits down to discuss what it’s like to take over a major company at the age of 30, how his family’s legacy has impacted his...
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Episode #61: Live Event (ft. Tyler Barnes and Seth Wallace from University of Iowa Football)
Seth Wallace and Tyler Barnes joined Nate for a live recording earlier this summer to discuss their upcoming season, how NIL and the transfer portal have changed their approach to recruiting, and how managing the Iowa football team is often similar to managing a business. Seth Wallace previously...
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Episode #60: Charlie Rohde, King's Material
On Today's Episode: Charlie Rohde is the President of King’s Material and Dakota Red Corporation, a legacy company that has been meeting the Midwest’s construction needs since 1882. Charlie sits down with Nate to discuss the history of King’s Material, his father’s history and legacy, what his...
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Episode #59: Michael Gerdin, Heartland Express
On Today's Episode: Michael Gerdin is the Chairman and CEO of Heartland Express, a truckload carrier based in North Liberty, IA that serves customers throughout the United States and Mexico, and has been a legacy business in Iowa since it was founded by Michael’s father, Russell Gerdin, in 1978....
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Episode #58: Dawn & Brittany Schorg of Czech Feather & Down
On Today's Episode: Dawn and Brittany Schorg are the mother/daughter duo behind Czech Feather & Down, the Cedar Rapids-based bedding company that has been helping people get better sleep for over 100 years. Dawn and Brittany share with me how Czech Feather & Down started as a household business,...
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Episode #57: Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan of Oasis Street Food and Falafel Restaurant
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan, the founders of Oasis Street Food and Falafel Restaurant, the Iowa City staple serving and distributing Mediterranean food throughout the state since 2004. Naftaly and Ofer share their early experiences with Mediterranean…
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Episode #56: Generations of Athletic Directors (ft. Bob Bowlsby and Beth Goetz LIVE from Iowa Athletic Club)
On this special episode of Real Success, I sat down at the Iowa Athletic Club for a live podcast recording with Bob Bowlsby and Beth Goetz, who both have incredible careers in athletics and happen to represent two generations who have taken on the mantle as Athletic Director of the University of...
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Episode #55: Bill and Charlie Nusser, Hands Jewelers
"On today’s episode, I sit down with Bill and Charlie Nusser, the father and son duo behind Hands Jewelers, a venerable family-operated store in Iowa City providing jewelry, gems, and watches, for over 165 years. Bill and Charlie both share their respective stories about how they first joined the...
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Episode #54: Leslie Epstein, Owner of Your Tanning Bar
"On today’s episode, I sit down with Leslie Epstein, Owner and CEO of Your Tanning Bar, the airbrush tanning solution in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, and Bettendorf that provides a UV-free alternative to being bronze. Leslie shares how her father influenced her entrepreneurial spirit when she was...
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Episode #53: Cale, Justin, and Tim from Fun Not Fancy Restaurant Group
Cale Henderson, Tim Kindl, and Justin Zehr are three of the owners of Fun Not Fancy Restaurant Group, a collection of popular restaurants in Cedar Rapids and Marion. The group shares their unique origin story, the backwards way they approach their restaurant concepts, and how they navigate the...
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Episode #52: Doug Alberhasky, Owner of John's Grocery
On today’s episode, I sit down with Doug Alberhasky, third-generation Owner and Operator of John's Grocery. Doug shares what it was like growing up within the family business, the surprising ways the community has changed his life, and how selling imported beer reinvented John’s Grocery. Doug…
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Episode #51: Andrew Lehman, Tournament Director of the John Deere Classic
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Andrew Lehman, Tournament Director of the John Deere Classic, the annual professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour that takes place in the Quad Cities. Andrew shares information on his internship with the golf tournament and how he was in the right place...
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Episode #50: Kirk Ferentz, Head Football Coach at the University of Iowa
On the 50th episode of the Real Success podcast, Nate sits down with Kirk Ferentz, Head Coach of the University of Iowa Football Team, a position he has held for 25 years. The two discuss how he has seen the landscape of football change since he started his career in the ‘80’s, how they continue…
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Episode #49: Scott Keplinger, CEO of Intellisee
On today’s episode, Nate sits down with Scott Keplinger, CEO of Intellisee, the real-time artificial intelligence (AI) risk mitigation platform working to detect and mitigate threats before an incident occurs by using a company’s existing passive surveillance cameras. Scott shares with how his...
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Episode 48: Mark Kaufman, Founder of Athletico Physical Therapy
On Today's Episode: Mark Kaufman is the founder and chairman of Athletico Physical Therapy, a successful national company with local Iowa roots. Mark shares with me how he started with a single rehabilitation center in Chicago back in 1991, his unique insight into how camaraderie motivates...
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Episode 47: Tara Cronbaugh, Founder of Java House Coffee Roasters
On Today's Episode: Tara Cronbaugh is the founder of Java House Coffee Roasters, a local coffee staple in the Iowa City community for nearly 30 years. Tara shares how she researched over 50 coffee houses in California before launching Java House in Iowa City, how partnerships were the cornerstone...
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Episode 46: Chip Reeves, CEO of MidWestOne Bank
On Today's Episode: Chip Reeves is the newly appointed CEO of MidWestOne Bank, the largest headquartered bank in Iowa and official sponsor of this very podcast. Chip shares what it was like to pick up his life and move from Florida to Iowa in the middle of winter, how he sees the future of...
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Episode 45: Jeff Quint, Founder of Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery
On Today's Episode: Jeff Quint is the founder and owner of Cedar Ridge Distillery, the award-winning distillery that was the first to open in Iowa since Prohibition and is currently home to the number one-selling bourbon in Iowa for two years straight. Jeff shares how his father influenced and...
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Episode 44: Leslie Nolte, Nolte Academy and ICON Arts Academy
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Leslie Nolte, the celebrated entrepreneur and artist behind the Nolte Performing Arts Academy, The James Theatre, and the forthcoming ICON Arts Academy high school in Iowa City, Iowa that will welcome its first boarding students in August of 2023. Leslie...
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Episode 43: Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa Basketball
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Caitlin Clark, awarded point guard for the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Team. For this interview, Caitlin sets down the basketball to talk business, exploring how the opportunity for college athletes to monetize their own Name, Image, and Likeness...
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Episode 42: Paul Rasch of Wilson's Apple Orchard
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down with Paul Rasch, owner and “Chief Apple Officer” of Wilson’s Apple Orchard and Farm on the outskirts of Iowa City. The two discuss his experience being born into an apple-growing family, what he learned starting the first commercial apple juice company in China,...
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Episode 41: Janet Godwin of ACT
On Today's Episode: Nate talks real success with Janet Godwin, the CEO of ACT, the nonprofit learning organization. ACT serves millions of students, job seekers, employers, and more around the world with learning resources, assessments, and credentials designed to help them succeed beginning in...
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Episode 40: Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Waters
On Today's Episode: Nate talks real success with Chad Pregracke, the founder of Living Lands & Waters, an environmental non-profit that was established in 1998 and has grown to be the only “industrial strength” river cleanup organization like it in the world. The two talk about what motivated…
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Episode 39: Matt Swift
On Today's Episode: Nate sits down to discuss Real Success with Matt Swift, the serial entrepreneur behind Big Grove Brewery and many other popular corridor restaurants and bars. Matt discusses his personal formula for success in the restaurant industry, why identifying a need is key to building…
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Episode 38: Jamie Powers
Former NFL athlete and Iowa entrepreneur Nate Kaeding talks with Jamie Powers, owner and executive pastry chef of Deluxe Cakes and Pastries in Iowa City. Jamie talks about how she got her start in the restaurant industry, the struggle of being an early morning pastry chef and surprising…
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Episode 37: Andrew Dasso
Former NFL athlete and Iowa entrepreneur Nate Kaeding talks with Andrew Dasso, owner and architect of Streamline Architects and Artisans, a full-service architecture firm founded in the Quad-Cities in 2015. I talked to Andrew about his relationship with the fear of growth, navigating his…
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Episode 36: Sean Moeller
Former NFL athlete and Iowa entrepreneur Nate Kaeding talks with Sean Moeller, writer-turned-entrepreneur behind successful music recording and performance venues, such as Daytrotter, Codfish Hallow and The Raccoon Motel. Sean discusses making a living in the performance and entertainment…
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Episode 35: Chris Klitgaard
Former NFL athlete and Iowa entrepreneur Nate Kaeding talks with Chris Klitgaard, the entrepreneur behind MediRevv, a company aimed at helping other health care institutions with their revenue cycle challenges. Nate talked to Chris about why he chose to stay in Iowa, the struggles of growing a...
About this show
“Real Success,” produced in partnership with former NFL athlete and entrepreneur Nate Kaeding, is a collection of conversations with Iowa-connected doers about success, purpose, and what makes them tick. Our hope is that you’ll learn something new about these notable leaders and that the conversations will perhaps play some small part in helping you further define what real success means to you.This Corridor Media Group podcast is sponsored by MidWest One Bank.
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Corridor Media Group
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