Elevate Podcast: Powered by Braden

About Elevate Podcast: Powered by Braden

Welcome to the Elevate podcast, where we host local leaders, both from businesses that are for-profit and non-profit, and that have shaped our community. If you’re looking for leadership insights, wanting to learn more about elevating your skills in business, then Elevate was made for you.

Publisher

lknauer

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Apr 2026

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

56 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Elevate Ep 67: Joshua Christie, Managing Partner at Ice Miller, LLP

   What happens when the career you build looks nothing like the one you originally planned?In this episode of Elevate Powered by Braden, Jason sits down with Josh Christie, Chief Managing Partner of Ice Miller, to talk about an unconventional journey that took him from studying chemistry to cultural anthropology, law school, M&A, and ultimately leadership of one of Indianapolis’ most established law firms.Josh shares why his anthropology background became an unexpected advantage as a lawyer, how trusting his instincts helped guide major career decisions, and what he has learned as Ice Miller has expanded well beyond its Indianapolis roots.The conversation also looks ahead. Josh discusses how technology is reshaping the legal profession, Ice Miller’s approach to AI adoption, and why taking practical, incremental steps can be more valuable than chasing every new technology that hits the market.Plus, Josh shares why community involvement remains an important part of leadership, including his work with organizations such as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Central Indiana Land Trust.It is a conversation about career pivots, growth, technology, community, and the paths we never expect to take.Episode Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Elevate Powered by Braden 00:39 Meet Josh Christie 00:56 Growing Up in Indianapolis and Milwaukee 04:01 Early Career Plans and a Love of Science 06:13 The Pivot from Chemistry to Anthropology 08:17 How Anthropology Became an Advantage in Law 09:18 Choosing Law School 11:35 Returning to Indiana and IU Bloomington 14:05 Entering the Legal Profession 18:22 Trusting Your Gut on Career Decisions 20:17 Building a Career at Ice Miller 29:17 The Growth and Expansion of Ice Miller 32:15 How Technology Is Changing the Legal Industry 35:02 Taking a Practical Approach to AI 37:00 Making More Room for Human Intelligence 40:51 Leadership and Community Involvement 43:17 Life Outside the Office 45:43 Closing ThoughtsSubscribe to stay in the loop all the new Elevate episodes and Braden Business Systems updates!The Elevate Podcast is powered by Braden Business Systems, hosted by Jason Ulm, and produced by Lauren Knauer.Keywords:Josh Christie, Josh Christie Ice Miller, Ice Miller, Ice Miller Indianapolis, Elevate Powered by Braden, Braden Business Systems, Indianapolis business leaders, Indianapolis leadership, Indiana business leaders, legal industry, law firm leadership, managing partner, Chief Managing Partner, leadership podcast, business leadership podcast, career development, career change, career advice, leadership lessons, trusting your gut, unconventional career path, anthropology and law, corporate law, M&A lawyer, mergers and acquisitions, legal technology, AI in legal industry, artificial intelligence in law, AI for lawyers, future of law, technology in law firms, law firm innovation, business transformation, professional services leadership, community leadership, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Central Indiana Land Trust, Indianapolis business, Indiana business, leadership and technology

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Elevate Ep 66: Giving Every Baby A Chance with Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank

   What does it take to turn an unexpected career path into a mission that helps save the lives of infants?In this episode of Elevate, Powered by Braden, Jason sits down with Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank, to explore her unconventional path to leadership and the life-changing work happening inside one of Indiana’s most impactful nonprofit organizations.Episode Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Elevate00:38 Meet Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank01:14 Growing Up in Kokomo, Indiana02:20 Choosing Ball State and Starting Pre-Med03:00 The Unexpected Pivot From Medicine to English04:02 Graduate School, Counseling and Clemson05:16 Working in Victim Services and Pursuing an MBA06:09 Moving Back to Indiana07:07 Entering the Central Indiana Nonprofit Community08:14 The Recruiter Call That Changed Freedom’s Career08:55 Why You Should Take the Call09:12 Networking Without an Agenda10:30 Why In-Person Community Still Matters11:29 Discovering The Milk Bank12:20 How Donor Human Milk Can Help Save Infants13:13 Freedom’s Personal Connection to Infant Nutrition15:12 Why Some Babies Need Donor Human Milk18:45 Infant Mortality and the Health of a Community19:51 Technology’s Role at The Milk Bank20:31 Using Automation to Maximize Every Ounce25:22 How Our Communities Change Throughout Life26:22 Becoming a Community Builder27:34 Building Relationships That Can Handle Disagreement28:34 How the Community Can Support The Milk Bank29:17 Raising Awareness About Milk Banking30:19 Ways to Get Involved With The Milk Bank31:25 Why Seeing The Milk Bank in Person Matters32:05 Life Outside Leadership35:28 Final Thoughts With Freedom Kolb35:41 ClosingThe Elevate Podcast is powered by Braden Business Systems, hosted by Jason Ulm, and produced by Lauren Knauer.Keywords: Freedom Kolb, Freedom Kolb The Milk Bank, The Milk Bank, The Milk Bank Indiana, milk bank Indiana, donor human milk, human milk donation, breast milk donation, milk donation, NICU babies, premature babies, infant mortality, infant health, maternal health, nonprofit leadership, nonprofit CEO, nonprofit organizations Indiana, Indiana nonprofits, Indianapolis nonprofits, Indiana leadership, Indianapolis leaders, women in leadership, CEO leadership, leadership podcast, business leadership podcast, Indiana business podcast, community leadership, community impact, professional networking, networking advice, career advice, career change, leadership journey, nonprofit technology, technology in nonprofits, healthcare nonprofit, public health, infant nutrition, community health, Ball State University, Central Indiana leaders, Elevate Podcast, Elevate Powered by Braden, Braden Business Systems, Braden podcast

3. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Elevate Ep 65: 60 Years of Reinvention | With Blake Fogelsong, Owner of Clancy’s Hospitality

   What does it take to turn a 60-year family restaurant legacy into a growing portfolio of modern hospitality concepts?In this episode of the Elevate Podcast Jason sits down with Blake Fogelsong, third-generation owner and operator of Clancy’s Hospitality, to explore leadership, entrepreneurship, restaurant innovation, technology, and the importance of staying connected to your community.Blake grew up in Noblesville, Indiana, working nearly every position in the restaurant business before eventually helping lead the family company into its next generation. Today, Clancy’s Hospitality operates multiple restaurant concepts while continuing to evolve its approach to dining, branding, technology, and guest experience.Blake shares the story behind the family business, his journey from restaurant manager to owner, the evolution of concepts such as Grindstone Public House and The Fountain Room, and the inspiration behind bringing a Hi-Fi listening lounge experience to downtown Noblesville.EPISODE CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction01:03 Meet Blake Fogelsong and Clancy’s Hospitality01:27 Growing Up in the Restaurant Business03:19 Ball State, Mentorship and Choosing Hospitality04:32 Starting at the Bottom and Working Up05:57 Growing Sales and Launching Grindstone Public House07:30 The Family Business Story Begins in 196510:12 The Origins and Growth of Grindstone Charlie’s12:28 Creating New Restaurant Concepts14:04 The Fountain Room and a New Hi-Fi Passion Project15:27 Bringing a Hi-Fi Listening Lounge to Noblesville17:09 Vinyl, DJs and Creating a Different Dining Experience20:18 Bringing Big-City Experiences to Central Indiana21:34 Advice for Future Restaurateurs and Entrepreneurs24:07 How Technology Is Transforming the Restaurant Industry25:28 AI, Scheduling and the Future of Restaurant Operations27:39 Loyalty Programs and Restaurant Technology28:40 What Community Means to Blake30:33 Why Great Businesses Must Keep Adapting31:41 Life Outside the Restaurant Business33:07 Closing ThoughtsAbout Elevate:Elevate brings you conversations with influential leaders who are shaping communities across Indiana and Illinois. Hear the stories behind their leadership journeys, the lessons they have learned, and how they are creating meaningful impact in business and their communities. The Elevate Podcast is powered by Braden Business Systems, hosted by Jason Ulm, and produced by Lauren Knauer. Keywords: Blake Fogelsong, Clancy's Hospitality, Clancys Hospitality, Blake Fogelsong Clancy's Hospitality, Indiana restaurants, Indiana restaurant industry, Noblesville restaurants, Noblesville Indiana, Indianapolis restaurants, restaurant leadership, restaurant business, hospitality leadership, family business, family business leadership, third generation business, restaurant entrepreneur, restaurant entrepreneurship, restaurant innovation, hospitality industry, restaurant technology, AI in restaurants, restaurant AI, restaurant operations, Grindstone Public House, Grindstone Charlie's, The Fountain Room Indianapolis, Noblesville Hi-Fi lounge, Indiana business leaders, Indiana entrepreneurs, local business leadership, community leadership, business growth, leadership podcast, business podcast, Indiana podcast, Elevate Podcast, Braden Business Systems#BlakeFogelsong #ClancysHospitality #RestaurantLeadership #FamilyBusiness #IndianaBusiness #NoblesvilleIndiana #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ElevatePodcast

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.