Backseat Ballers

He was making millions in subprime mortgages—until the 2008 financial crisis wiped out his entire industry. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Steve Blackwell, co-founder of Invito Energy Partners, breaks down what it was like to lose his career at 36, go years with no income, and rebuild from scratch in oil and gas. From running massive teams in finance to starting over with no clear path, this is a real look at what happens when everything you built disappears—and what it takes to come back.

Dewayne spent over 20 years working in the insurance industry before making a decision many people never do: leaving the security of a steady job at 45 to bet on himself and become a business owner. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, we talk about what it really takes to walk away from stability, build something from the ground up, and navigate the challenges that come with entrepreneurship later in life. This conversation goes far beyond business. Dewayne shares his story of growing up in Arkansas, losing his father at 15, serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually building a career in insurance before deciding to take the leap into entrepreneurship. We also talk about the realities of starting and scaling a business, the mindset shift required to leave W2 life, navigating racism in both corporate America and business, and why relationships and networking became critical to his success. If you’ve ever thought about leaving your job, starting a business, or betting on yourself later in life, this episode is an honest look at what that journey really looks like.

At 21 years old, he borrowed $37,500 and put $12,500 down to break into the high-stakes world of commodities trading. Inside the 1980s Kansas City wheat pits, one mistake could cost you everything. He didn’t just survive — he rose to Chairman of the Exchange. hen life hit harder than the markets ever could. After surviving kidney cancer, he lost his wife to H1N1 at just 36 years old — leaving him to raise two young kids alone. What followed wasn’t about money. It was about responsibility, discipline, and becoming both dad and mom overnight. This is a story about risk, resilience, fatherhood, and what real strength actually looks like.

He thought he was doing the right thing — until he was arrested in Mexico, threatened at gunpoint, and thrown into a federal prison with no trial and a life sentence. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Rocky Malloy tells a story that sounds fake but isn’t: Mexican authorities, brutal prison conditions, torture he witnessed firsthand, and the moment he believed he was about to die. What happened next changed the course of his life forever. This conversation goes far beyond prison. It’s about fearlessness, faith under pressure, walking away from everything you know, and what it means to live with urgency when you’ve stared death in the face. If you’re into raw true stories, hard conversations, and people who’ve actually lived on the edge — this one will stay with you.

Mike Bone has lived through the kind of loss no parent should ever experience — and it changed everything. In this episode, Elliot sits down with Mike to talk about the hardest moment of his life, how he rebuilt his marriage, his purpose, and his career, and what he learned about resilience, discipline, and meaning along the way. Today, Mike runs two successful dog-training businesses in Kansas City. But behind the success is a story of grief, grit, faith, and choosing to build something that matters. This conversation is raw, real, and human. It’s not just about business — it’s about life.

Melissa Morris returns — this time in the studio — to share how listening to quiet spiritual promptings and trusting her faith and intuition have shaped her life, business, and outlook. From animals sensing kindness to prayers answered over patio stones and theme-park lines, Melissa opens up about living with purpose, recognizing divine nudges, and finding meaning in everyday moments. It’s an honest, funny, and powerful conversation about trusting your instincts, staying positive, and building a life that feels guided instead of forced.

Gabe Brown dropped out of high school, struggled with alcoholism, served time in prison, and got fired with a mortgage, a stay-at-home wife, and kids depending on him. With just $3,000, no backup plan, and everything on the line, he bet on himself—and went on to build a $3 million business employing nearly 20 people. In this episode, Gabe breaks down the real turning points: accountability, faith, marriage, getting fired, taking the leap into business, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life from rock bottom. If you’ve ever felt behind, written off, or stuck—this story will change how you think about what’s possible.

Most modern men feel lost — stuck in jobs they hate, avoiding risk, and disconnected from real purpose. In this episode, Elliot sits down with Michael Bone to unpack hard truths about work, success, entrepreneurship, masculinity, and why so many men struggle to find direction today. Michael reflects on over three decades in corporate America, how working his way up into finance and leadership roles shaped his perspective, and what ultimately pushed him to leave the corporate world to build his own business.

What happens when one of Google’s top quantum engineers decides his real mission is ending global poverty? In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Elliot sits down with Austin Fowler — quantum error-correction expert, Coursera educator, and founder of Stairway Invest — to explore how cutting-edge technology and ethical investing can unlock opportunity for millions. Austin shares how his work in quantum computing led to a deeper calling: helping micro-entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America gain access to capital. He explains the model behind Opportunity International, how small amounts of money can empower entire communities, and why scalable philanthropy is more effective than traditional charity. This is one of the most unique stories ever told on this podcast — a rare fusion of frontier tech, ethical wealth building, and human purpose.

Neighbors Tried to Shut Her Down — Now She Runs a Savannah Cat Empire. Melissa Morris isn’t your average entrepreneur. After taking out a $60,000 loan to chase her dream of breeding Savannah cats, she was hit with government pushback, neighborhood complaints, and constant setbacks. Instead of quitting, she turned that pressure into purpose — building one of the most respected exotic-cat breeding programs in the country. In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Melissa shares how she went from nearly losing everything to creating a thriving family business built on passion, faith, and relentless work. We talk about the $60K gamble, public hearings, serval breeding, family sacrifice, and what it really takes to build something the world tells you not to.

This is not your average American Dream episode. In this Backseat Ballers special, we spotlight the I AM Foundation and the real impact they’re making on youth in Kansas City. In this special feature, Elliot sits down with leaders and change makers proving that greatness isn’t accidental — it’s chosen. Featuring Martin Taggart, Mike Rivera, and Elijah Dormeus, this episode highlights a mission that is transforming lives right here in Kansas City. The I AM Foundation works every day to lift youth out of impossible odds — mentoring, equipping, and empowering kids to build a legacy bigger than their circumstances. The impact is real, the results are measurable, and the stories will hit you straight in the heart. If this episode inspires you and you’d like to support the mission, visit the I AM Foundation website to learn more. 🌎 Support the I AM Foundation here: https://theiamfoundation.org Are you a business owner, leader, or community builder who’s making a difference? Reach out — we’re always looking for people who change their corner of the world for future episodes.

He didn’t start with money, connections, or a perfect plan — just knocking on doors and mowing lawns at 14. In this episode, Ryan Christopher shares the real story behind becoming a multi-business owner — from early independence and failure to owning Smoothie King franchises, building mastermind groups, and coaching entrepreneurs across multiple industries. We talk honestly about what entrepreneurship actually looks like behind the scenes, including hiring mistakes, leadership challenges, accountability, family balance, and why so many talented people still fail in business. Ryan explains how entrepreneurial instincts are often learned early, why visionaries struggle with focus, and why culture matters more than skill when building a team. The conversation continues inside one of his Smoothie King locations, where he breaks down his approach to developing young employees and investing in underserved youth through the I AM Foundation. This is a raw, unfiltered look at entrepreneurship without the highlight reel — the wins, the losses, and the mindset required to build something that lasts.