The Grit to Growth Podcast

What happens when a renowned atmospheric scientist turns his attention to cattle ranching? In this episode, Dr. Patrick Zimmerman—founder and CEO of C-Lock Inc.—shares how his journey from environmental research to agricultural innovation is helping reshape animal agriculture around the globe. From pioneering emissions monitoring systems to revolutionizing how ranchers measure efficiency, Dr. Zimmerman opens up about the power of d...

In this episode, host Levi Te Slaa welcomes Carrie Gerlach, founder and owner of Black Hills Adventure Tours. Carrie shares her inspiring story of starting the business with a modest loan, a few kayaks, and a big dream. Now celebrating 20 successful seasons, she’s grown the company into a thriving adventure and tourism service offering customized experiences across the Black Hills and beyond.

Carrie opens up about her early years, ...

From dreaming of designing Corvettes to leading a cutting-edge 3D printing company, Shon Anderson’s path is anything but traditional. In this episode, Shon unpacks his journey from small-town South Dakota to CEO of B9Creations and shares what really makes technology stick in today’s business world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why understanding your gifts might take a great boss—not just time

• How technical skills and ...

What happens when an 83-year-old mathematician, entrepreneur, and lifelong problem-solver builds an AI platform to separate fact from fiction online? In this episode, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Brian Dempsey—a seasoned consultant, company founder, and the mind behind hallucinations.cloud—to talk about truth, tech, and the art of knowing what (and who) to trust in the digital age.

Brian shares his fascinating journey from a successful ac...

From the bleachers to the boardroom — Travis Morgan’s journey is a story of grit, growth, and Midwest charm. In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Travis to unpack his path from small-town Nebraska to CEO of the Sioux City Musketeers. Along the way, Travis shares lessons learned in TV sports, marketing, the symphony, and minor league hockey — including why betting on yourself and taking a leap can change your life.

Travis op...

What happens when you mix neuroscience, law, and a dinner table conversation? You get Aaron Emerson’s journey from medical research to revolutionizing hospital care. In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Aaron, CEO of SEGA Innovations, to uncover how he's turning pain points in hospitals into life-saving innovations.

From discussing his pivot from academia to entrepreneurship, to explaining...

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Vishnu Nellore, a civil engineer for the City of Sioux Falls, to talk about his journey from coastal India to the snowy plains of South Dakota—and how he’s now influencing the growth and infrastructure of one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Vishnu shares how he came to study at South Dakota State University, adjusted to life in the U.S., and discovered a passion for engineering that...

Levi Te Slaa sits down with Joanna Prewitt, a licensed therapist and the founder of Enso Mental Health in Spearfish, South Dakota. Joanna opens up about her path from working in social services to launching her own mental health practice. Inspired by personal experience and a desire to “help the helpers,” JoAnna built Enso with a vision to create a supportive, sustainable environment for therapists and clients alike.

In this heartf...

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, a small-town Iowa native whose early experiences with congenital heart disease inspired a lifelong pursuit of care and leadership. Now the Chief Medical Officer of Sanford Health, Dr. Cauwels discusses how he went from hospital medicine to helping oversee quality, safety, and graduate medical education across a vast healthcare system.

He shares...

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Ryan Junek, a fourth-generation business owner and the force behind Junek's Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Spearfish, South Dakota. From his family's migration during the Great Depression to running one of the oldest car dealerships in the region, Ryan shares a story rooted in resilience, adaptation, and legacy.

Tune in to hear how a small gas station evolv...

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Connor Hallstrom, founder of SoDak Industries, a CNC machining business in Clark, South Dakota. Conner shares the story behind starting his company while still working full-time and raising twin boys with his wife—all driven by a vision of generational legacy and hands-on craftsmanship.

Conner breaks down the nuts and bolts of what a modern machine shop does, why machinists are in demand...

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Bhaskar Purushottam, founder of Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates and a leading cardiologist based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Dr. Purushottam shares his inspiring journey from Bangalore, India to becoming a specialist with training at some of the world’s top medical institutions, including Mount Sinai and William Beaumont.

They dive deep into the critical topic of vascular care...

In this insightful episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi sits down with John Clapper, a former pastor turned tech leader, who now serves as the VP of Technology at Verdia and co-founder of Sendachi. John shares his winding journey from ministry to mastering data and analytics, offering real-world wisdom on solving business chaos with the power of code and leadership.

John dives into how he transitioned from Excel spreadsheets...

In this episode, Levi sits down with Sarah Vicunia, founder of Top Talent Connections, a new recruiting agency based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sarah shares her journey from a successful career in corporate HR to an unexpected job loss that led her to launch her own business. She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of losing a job, the courage it takes to pivot, and the drive to create meaningful connections between compa...

In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Shaine Anderson, a dynamic entrepreneur from Aberdeen, South Dakota, who’s thriving in not one—but two—distinct industries. As the founder of Anderson Electric and Wired Coffee Company, Shaine shares how he transitioned from managing a retail floor to wiring homes and troubleshooting industrial systems, all while brewing up some of the region's best coffee.

Shaine talks candidly about hi...

In this energizing conversation, Vaney Hariri shares his journey from Buffalo, NY, to becoming a culture architect in Sioux Falls, SD. Co-founder of Think3D Solutions, Vaney talks with Levi about building company culture on purpose, not by accident.

You’ll hear why culture happens whether you plan for it or not—and why investing in it matters. Vaney shares how Think3D helps organizations develop leadership at all levels, and why th...

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Russel Van Der Werff, an executive and technical leader at Aerostar, to explore the cutting-edge world of stratospheric ballooning. From launching high-altitude balloons in partnership with Google to fighting wildfires with real-time data and aerial connectivity, Russ takes us inside a world most people don’t even know exists—yet it’s reshaping how we t...

In this inspiring episode, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Trisha Dohn, founder of Well365, a workplace wellness company on a mission to transform how businesses support their employees' physical and mental health.

Trisha shares her journey from working in major health systems to launching Well365 from her basement, all while navigating personal challenges including infertility and financial uncertainty. Her story is one of passio...

In this heartfelt episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Alex Peterson, the culinary mastermind behind Baking Up a Storm at Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls. From humble roots in Iowa to becoming a staple in the Sioux Falls baking scene, Alex shares how his lifelong passion for baking turned into a thriving business.

Alex opens up about the challenges and triumphs of launching his own bakery during a pandemi...