The Fort Builders

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with Ezra Vedral — linebacker for the Kansas Jayhawks and a civil engineering student — to talk about what it really takes to pursue two demanding paths at the same time.From the beginning, Ezra made a decision: he wasn’t going to choose between football and engineering.He wanted both.And more importantly — he believed he could do both at a high level.We talk about what that actually looks like on a daily basis. Early mornings, long days, constant demands — and the reality that balancing both requires more than just time management. It requires a mindset.Ezra shares how that mindset shows up in both environments.On the field, as a linebacker, he’s responsible for reading the offense, communicating, and making decisions in real time. In engineering, he’s working through complex problems, learning to push through when things don’t make sense, and finding solutions when there isn’t an obvious answer.And while those worlds may seem completely different, Ezra sees the connection clearly.The same approach applies to both:Stay disciplined. Keep working. Don’t quit when it gets hard.We also talk about the sacrifices that come with it — the time, the missed social opportunities — and why he doesn’t really see them as sacrifices.Because for him, the payoff is worth it.There’s also a leadership component to his story. Whether it’s on the field or in group engineering projects, Ezra has learned how to communicate, hold people accountable, and help move a team forward.What stands out about Ezra isn’t just his ability to manage both.It’s that he’s chosen not to compromise either.As we talk about often on The Fort Builders, we’re all building something — through the choices we make and the standards we hold.Ezra’s story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest decision isn’t what you choose.It’s deciding that you’re not going to choose at all.

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with Coach Bryant Wright — a longtime cross country coach who built one of the most successful programs in Missouri. But this conversation isn’t really about running. It’s about what he built through it.Coach Wright didn’t start with championships. In fact, early in his career, he stepped away from coaching altogether before eventually returning and taking over a program with a simple goal — see what could be built over time.What followed wasn’t instant success. It was a deliberate process of building culture.We talk about how he approached leadership — starting with a question most people don’t ask:Why would anyone listen to me?From there, he built a system centered on character, effort, and accountability.Every athlete mattered — not just the fastest ones. In fact, one of the most telling moments came when a college coach visited practice and wasn’t impressed by the top runners… but by how hard the slowest runners were working.That didn’t happen by accident.Coach Wright built a culture where:Belonging came before performanceEffort was the standard for everyoneAnd accountability traveled sideways — from teammate to teammateWe also talk about the idea of 100% — not just in performance, but in how athletes showed up as teammates, students, and people. And how those lessons didn’t always click until years later, when former athletes realized what they had actually been taught.There’s also a deeper layer to his story.Coach Wright shares how his upbringing — including watching his father go through a major life transformation — shaped his understanding of leadership, character, and what it really means to be a man.And toward the end, we talk about what comes next.After retiring, he’s now focused on how to take what he built locally and share it more broadly — helping other coaches and leaders impact more people beyond just one program.As we talk about often on The Fort Builders, building something meaningful isn’t always about what you produce.Sometimes it’s about who you shape along the way.Coach Wright built champions.But more importantly… he built people.

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with artist, author, and educator Stephen T. Johnson.Stephen’s work spans more than just one medium or one audience. From award-winning children’s books like Alphabet City, to large-scale public art installations in places like New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, to gallery and museum exhibitions — his work shows up in ways people experience every day.But what stood out to me in this conversation wasn’t just the scope of his work.It was how he thinks about creating.Stephen uses a simple framework — Subject. Transformation. Joy.It starts with something ordinary. Something you might walk past without noticing. And through his process — whether it’s drawing, collage, mosaic, or sculpture — he transforms it into something that makes you stop, look again, and see it differently.That idea of transformation shows up everywhere in his work.In his children’s books, where everyday objects become something unexpected.In his public art, where spaces people move through every day become something more meaningful.And in his teaching, where he helps students not just learn technique — but learn how to see. But there’s also a more personal side to this.Toward the end of our conversation, we came back and revisited a moment Stephen mentioned earlier — being called out in class. It’s a small moment on the surface, but the kind that sticks with you. The kind that shapes confidence, awareness, and how you show up moving forward.We ended up digging into that a little more, and it turned into a meaningful reflection on how those early experiences — even brief ones — can stay with you and influence your path in ways you don’t always recognize at the time.We left that in as a bit of bonus conversation at the end.Because as we talk about often on The Fort Builders, the story isn’t just what you build — it’s what built you.And sometimes those moments are smaller, quieter, and more personal than you’d expect.Stephen’s work is about transformation.But like all of us… that process started somewhere.About Stephen T. Johnson:www.stephentjohnson.comStephen T. Johnson’s visually arresting and conceptually rich body of work forges connections between words, objects and ideas.  His art spans a broad range of concepts and contexts and can be seen in site-specific public art commissions, gallery and museum exhibitions, and original award-winning children’s books such “Alphabet City,” a Caldecott Honor and a New York Times Best Illustrated book of the year.  His drawings and paintings are in numerous private collections including those of musician Paul Simon and actress Cherry Jones, and in the permanent collections of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut, and the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.  Among his public art is a 66-foot mosaic mural at the DeKalb Avenue Subway Station in Brooklyn New York, a 58-foot mosaic mural at the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station in Los Angeles, California, and 33 glass panels for the Dallas Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Texas. 

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I got to sit down with Chad Dick with Fully Promoted in Lawrence, KS to talk about a path that wasn’t built on big moments — but on consistency.Chad’s story isn’t about one defining turning point. It’s about showing up. Day after day. Doing the work. Figuring things out as he went.He shares what it was like growing up with expectations to contribute early — where responsibility wasn’t something you stepped into later in life, it was just part of the deal. That mindset carried forward into how he approaches work, relationships, and opportunities today.We talk about the difference between being given something and earning it. Chad has built his path through effort, not shortcuts. And there’s a level of ownership that comes with that — when you’ve had to work for it, you see things differently.There’s also a grounded honesty in this conversation.Not everything was mapped out. Not everything went perfectly. But the common thread is simple: keep moving, keep working, and stay consistent.What stands out about Chad isn’t just work ethic.It’s reliability. The kind of person who shows up. Does what needs to be done. And keeps going, even when it’s not exciting or visible.As we talk about often on The Fort Builders, not every story is built on big swings. Some are built quietly — through discipline, responsibility, and doing the work over time.Chad’s story is a reminder that consistency still matters.And in a lot of cases… it’s the thing that makes the difference.YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gJtZYFRnSpotify: https://lnkd.in/g4hkzdHUApple: https://lnkd.in/gcuFVdfnFor more info on Chad and his business:https://lnkd.in/gCaWg4Ec#showingup #doingthework #workethic #howwebecomewhoweare #thefortbuilderspodcast

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with Jeremy to talk about a childhood that most people will never fully understand.At two years old, Jeremy was placed with foster parents — and that became home. What makes his story unique isn’t just that he grew up in foster care. It’s that he "Got to" stay.While other kids came and went through the home, Jeremy remained. And over time, that creates a different kind of perspective. You’re not just living your own experience — you’re watching others move through theirs.Jeremy talks about what that was like as a kid. Not fully understanding it in the moment, but absorbing it. Watching transitions. Seeing uncertainty. And slowly developing an awareness of people, stability, and how quickly things can change.There’s also an important layer in how Jeremy sees it today.He doesn’t tell his story from a place of resentment — he tells it with perspective. He knows he was fortunate to be in a place where he could stay, even without having a choice in it.And that balance — of reality and gratitude — is what makes this conversation stand out.We talk about how those early experiences shaped the way he sees people, how he navigates relationships, and how he approaches life today.As we often say on The Fort Builders, we’re all shaped by things we didn’t choose.Jeremy’s story is a reminder that even in those moments, something is being built — sometimes perspective, sometimes awareness, sometimes a deeper understanding of what really matters.YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gJtZYFRnSpotify: https://lnkd.in/g4hkzdHUApple: https://lnkd.in/gcuFVdfn#fostercare #acceptance #gratitude #howwebecomewhoweare #thefortbuilderspodcast #thankyouforyourtime

How do we become who we are?Sometimes it’s not one moment… it’s a series of environments we learn to navigate.In this episode of The Fort Builders, Lance sits down with Brandon Meek—Chief Marketing Officer and business development leader in Houston—whose story is rooted in adaptability, resilience, and learning how to read the room from an early age.From growing up between two households, to becoming a latchkey kid, to building a career across programming, consulting, sales, and AI—Brandon didn’t follow a straight path. And for a long time, it didn’t make sense.But looking back… every step was preparing him for exactly where he is today.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeGrowing up between two homes and learning to adapt early in lifeBecoming self-reliant as a latchkey kid and problem-solving at a young ageHow instability can quietly build resilience and awarenessWhy Brandon rearranged his room constantly—and what it says about control and creativityThe connection between early life experiences and a career in consulting and problem-solvingMoving from programming → program management → leadership → AIThe realization that nothing in his career was random—it was all building toward somethingWhy he sees himself as a “builder,” not a maintainerHow AI fits into the future—and why it’s a tool, not a threatRaising kids with grit… without recreating the same strugglesKey Themes & Takeaways1. Adaptability is a SuperpowerWhat feels like instability early in life can become your greatest strength later.2. The Dots Don’t Connect Until You Look BackAt the time, nothing feels linear. But over time, it forms a clear path.3. Builders vs. MaintainersSome people are wired to create, build, and move on to the next mountain—and that’s okay.4. It’s Always About PeopleTechnology changes. Tools evolve. But it always comes back to people.5. You Can Redefine the Next GenerationYou don’t have to pass down the same struggles to teach the same lessons.

What shapes a person?Is it where they start… or what they’re willing to walk through?In this episode of The Fort Builders, Lance sits down with Andrew Kneisler—Kansas City real estate agent, father of four, and someone whose life has been built through seasons of discomfort, discipline, and deep faith.From growing up without an ownership mindset, to nearly losing his life in a traumatic fire, to being sent away to boarding school at 14… Andrew’s story is anything but linear. But in that tension—those defining moments—you begin to see how character is formed.This is a conversation about what happens when you’re pushed into the unknown… and choose to step forward anyway.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeGrowing up in a large family with limited resources—and how that shaped Andrew’s mindsetA life-changing house fire at age 13 that shifted his faith and perspectiveBeing sent to boarding school and learning independence the hard wayThe loneliness, discipline, and structure that built his work ethicStarting from zero in commission-based sales at just 18 years oldKnocking doors, facing rejection, and learning how to serve—not sellHow purpose—not money—transformed his success trajectoryWhy real estate became more than a job—it became a way to guide people through life’s biggest momentsFatherhood, faith, and what matters most in this season of lifeAndrew’s story is a reminder that most people don’t follow a straight path.They’re shaped in quiet moments.In hard seasons.In decisions no one else sees.And sometimes… the very things we wouldn’t chooseare the things that build us.

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with entrepreneur, author, and commercial real estate leader Kirsten Flory.Kirsten is the founder of Foundations Commercial Real Estate and host of the Small Business Mindset podcast, where she shares insights and lessons for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building and growing businesses.But Kirsten’s journey didn’t start in commercial real estate. Like many entrepreneurs, her path has been anything but linear. From working in banking and nonprofit leadership to eventually launching her own company, Kirsten’s career has been driven by curiosity, connection, and the willingness to take risks.In this conversation, we talk about the moment many entrepreneurs face — the point where the path forward becomes uncertain and the only way ahead is to jump.Kirsten shares the story of leaving the stability of a traditional career to start her own business and the mindset it takes to step into the unknown.She talks openly about fear, failure, and the emotional reality of entrepreneurship — including the difficult moments when businesses struggle and leaders are forced to make hard decisions.We also explore the lessons she’s learned along the way:• Why curiosity and asking questions have shaped her career• The role of mentorship and relationships in business growth• The mental and emotional resilience required to build something from scratch• Why failure is often the price of forward progress• How the COVID pandemic became a moment of reflection that pushed her toward entrepreneurshipKirsten also shares how those experiences eventually led her to create the Small Business Mindset podcast, a platform where she helps other entrepreneurs navigate the realities of business ownership.What stands out in this conversation is Kirsten’s honesty about the entrepreneurial journey. Starting a business isn’t just about strategy or opportunity — it’s about mindset.As we talk about often on The Fort Builders, building something meaningful requires courage, persistence, and the willingness to keep going even when the path isn’t clear.Kirsten Flory’s story is a great example of what that looks like in real life.

In this episode of The Fort Builders, I sit down with a good friend of mine and someone many people in Lawrence know well—Brad Finkeldei.Brad is currently serving as mayor of Lawrence and has spent decades involved in the civic life of this community. But like all of us, his story didn’t start in city hall. It started with family, curiosity, and a desire to be around people and help where he could.Brad and I talk about the path that led him from growing up with an identical twin brother, to studying chemical engineering at Kansas State, to eventually becoming an attorney and managing partner at Stevens & Brand. Along the way, one thing kept showing up in his life—relationships.Brad discovered early that what energized him most was being around people and contributing to the places and organizations that make a community work.That instinct led him into a long line of service roles—Rotary, nonprofit boards, the Chamber of Commerce, planning commission work, and eventually running for the Lawrence City Commission. But as Brad shares in this conversation, even when you think you know the path ahead, life has a way of rewriting the plan.Just three months after he joined the commission, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. The expectations he had for public service were suddenly replaced with uncertainty, isolation, and some of the most difficult civic challenges our community has faced in decades.We talk about what that experience was like, how relationships helped carry him through that time, and why being connected to the community before stepping into leadership made such a difference.Brad also shares insights into how local government really works—how much happens outside of the public meetings people see, why relationships matter in decision-making, and how the stories we read about in the newspaper often capture only a fraction of the full picture.We also discuss several decisions and moments that may shape Lawrence for generations, including:• The new development code and its long-term impact on housing and growth• The evolving relationship between the University of Kansas and the City of Lawrence• The Gateway and Crossing projects at KU• Future growth west of the South Lawrence TrafficwayThese are the kinds of decisions that may not seem dramatic today, but decades from now will shape what this community becomes.At its core, Brad’s story is about something simple but powerful: showing up. Showing up for your neighbors.Showing up for your community. And giving a little of your time to something bigger than yourself.Brad reminds us that you don’t have to run for office to make a difference. Sometimes the most important work happens on nonprofit boards, community committees, or simply choosing to get involved.As we often talk about here on The Fort Builders, the structures that hold up our communities aren’t built by one person. They’re built by people willing to step forward and do the work together.And Brad Finkeldei is someone who has been doing that for a long time. 

The Fort Builders is a story-driven podcast about how we become who we are.Each episode explores the human journey behind the work — beginning in childhood and following the non-linear path through early influences, defining moments, setbacks, growth, and perspective. Rather than focusing only on accomplishments, these conversations dig deeper into the experiences, relationships, and seasons that shape identity and impact.Host Lance Johnson brings a nique lens shaped by years in engineering, real estate development, entrepreneurship, public service, and personal reinvention. From building forts as a kid to navigating business growth and loss during the Great Recession, Lance approaches each guest with curiosity and humility — seeking to understand not just what they’ve built, but who they’ve become.The Fort Builders is grounded in a simple belief: everyone started somewhere, everyone has walked a different trail, and every story carries value.Through thoughtful, unhurried conversations, guests reflect on:What they were like as childrenEarly influences that shaped their directionMoments that changed themValleys that refined themThe work they’re building nowWhether the guest is a community leader, entrepreneur, creative, public servant, or someone quietly making a difference, the goal is the same: uncover the deeper story beneath the surface.This podcast is for anyone who believes life isn’t a straight line — and that success, failure, and growth are all part of becoming.It’s an invitation to slow down. To listen. To reflect. And to recognize that we’re all still building something meaningful.Welcome to The Fort.And thank you for your time.

In this first guest episode of The Fort Builders, Lance sits down with life coach Stephanie Bessent to explore the deeper story behind her work — and the personal journey that shaped it.Stephanie grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, in a culture of resilience, achievement, and self-reliance. From early athletic success to becoming a professional athlete, she learned how to push through fear, work hard, and perform. But underneath that strength was a quieter reality: a lens of self-judgment and a belief that achievement equaled acceptance.After marriage, a sudden health crisis changed everything.What began as unexplained illness eventually unraveled into deeper questions about identity, fear, and the emotional patterns shaping her life. During a pivotal season of recovery — both personally and in her marriage — Stephanie was confronted with something new: feelings.Not as data points.Not as weaknesses.But as invitations.In this honest and thoughtful conversation, Stephanie shares how acknowledging fear — rather than powering through it — transformed her life and her coaching practice. She reflects on the shift from external achievement to internal alignment, and how healing her own story gave her the capacity to sit with others in theirs.Together, Lance and Stephanie explore:• Growing up in Alaska and learning resilience at a young age• The pressure of achievement and the lens of self-judgment• Losing physical strength after illness and the identity shift that followed• The difference between powering through fear and admitting it• Why anxiety often masks unacknowledged fear• The role of presence and attunement in healing• How pain can become passion• Why people aren’t scared of the dark — they’re scared of being alone in itStephanie now leads Bessent Life Coaching, a nonprofit practice built on the belief that finances should not prevent people from receiving help. Her work centers on aligning who we are with how we live — helping people recover their stories, acknowledge their feelings, and show up fully present in their lives and relationships.This episode reminds us that we don’t need to have it all figured out. We need courage. We need curiosity. And sometimes, we simply need someone willing to sit with us in the dark.Thank you for joining us in The Fort.And thank you for your time.Guest: Stephanie Bessentwww.be-sent.life

Episode 0: How We Become Who We AreIn this inaugural episode of The Fort Builders, host Lance Johnson shares the story behind the podcast — beginning in a backyard sandbox and stretching through decades of building, leadership, failure, growth, and reflection.At five years old, Lance watched a new neighborhood take shape as lots were graded, streets were poured, and infrastructure emerged from open land. At home, he and his two younger brothers played inside a backyard-sized sandbox that included a concrete RCP pipe — turning it into tunnels, forts, and imagined worlds. Later, on five acres outside of town, they built increasingly ambitious forts over a drainage swale they called “The Draw,” using scrap wood and imagination to create something from almost nothing.Those early experiences — watching land transform and building structures from imperfect materials — quietly shaped how Lance would see the world.That thread continued into construction, engineering, entrepreneurship, and real estate development. He went on to help design subdivisions, build infrastructure, and grow a firm — only to face the Great Recession and lose the business he had helped build. During that same season, while serving on the Lawrence City Commission, he learned firsthand how success and failure both shape identity — and how humility reshapes the way we see people.This episode sets the tone for the podcast’s core question:How do we become who we are?Through honest reflection, Lance explores:• The childhood origins of creativity and leadership• What building forts taught him about rebuilding• Lessons from growth, risk, and loss• The shift from building structures to valuing stories• Why life feels more like a hiking trail than a straight roadThe Fort Builders is a space for thoughtful conversations about identity, influence, setbacks, resilience, and becoming. It begins in childhood and follows the winding path that leads each of us to where we are now.Because everyone started somewhere.Everyone has walked a different trail.And everyone is still building something.Thank you for joining us in The Fort.And thank you for your time.