Small Stones Podcast

About Small Stones Podcast

Incremental change leads to real growth in life and business. Join Business Coach Andrew Schory and his guests as they explore personal and professional growth as leaders and discuss current marketplace trends.

Publisher

Andrew Schory

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Andrew with Joe Schory

   Episode Summary In this special episode of the Small Stones Podcast, the tables are turned: host Andrew Schory is the one being interviewed by his son, Joe. Joe wrote his own questions without showing Andrew in advance, and the result is a warm, unscripted conversation that covers favorite quotes, how Andrew clears his head, lessons learned working for his father at the family business, the real meaning of work-life balance, a mistake he's glad he made, the mentors who shaped him, and the early-career advice that changed the trajectory of his business. It's a rare behind-the-scenes look at the man behind the podcast, through his son's eyes. Episode Guests About Andrew Schory Andrew Schory is a business coach and the host of the Small Stones Podcast, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results. He is a second-generation family business operator with deep experience in the restaurant franchise industry, and in this episode he steps away from the host chair to share his own story — in his own words, to his own son. About Joe — Guest Interviewer Joe is Andrew Schory's youngest son. In addition to being a student, he enjoys theater and tennis. For this special episode, Joe wrote his own set of interview questions without showing them to his dad ahead of time, and stepped into the host's chair to find out more about his father's favorite quotes, career, mentors, and reading habits. Contact & Connect Website: jplcoach.com Podcast: smallstonespodcast.com LinkedIn: Andrew Schory Episode Outline 00:00 — A Special Episode •      Andrew Schory welcomes listeners to the Small Stones Podcast •      Today's twist: Andrew is being interviewed by his son, Joe •      Joe prepared his own questions and kept them a surprise 00:58 — Favorite Quotes •      The podcast's namesake quote: "The one who moves a mountain begins by carrying very small stones" — a quote that sat on Andrew's desk when he took over a new position, reflecting his belief in incremental change •      A family quote: Andrew's grandfather, a banker, kept a quote above his desk — "I've often regretted my words, but never my silence" — a reminder of the value of silence 02:09 — Finding a Happy Place •      Joe references his own favorite quote, from Happy Gilmore, about finding your "happy place" •      Andrew's real-life version: meditation, prayer, and study — and especially going for a long run outside to clear his head •      When he can't get outside to run, he turns to prayer or meditation in the moment 02:46 — Working for Dad: Lessons from Two Managers •      Andrew worked for his father, Jim Schory, who owned the company — but learned day-to-day management from others •      At 16, general manager Cathy ran things "with an iron fist" •      Manager Sandra held the same standards but made room for fun once the work was done •      The lesson: balancing getting the job done with genuinely enjoying the work 03:52 — Work-Life Balance, Redefined •      Andrew prefers "life-work balance" — putting life first •      While traveling for work, he called home every night to talk to his wife and kids •      Showing up matters: ball games, birthday parties, and bringing energy — even after a long, tiring day of work 05:05 — A Decision He'd Revisit •      A piece of property he passed on after running into government hurdles and cost concerns — a decision he sometimes wishes he'd pushed through on •      The bigger lesson: you don't have to win every single battle •      Learning the value of collaboration, rather than insisting everything be done his way 06:21 — A Mistake He's Glad He Made •      Opening a seafood restaurant in Kentucky — a venture that didn't ultimately work out as a business, but one Andrew doesn't regret •      He met wonderful people and learned a great deal about the full-service restaurant business •      Pride in seeing former team members go on to be successful in the community today 07:19 — Mentors Who Shaped Him •      His father, through the family business •      Jon, his business coach — past and present •      Kenny, a close friend of over 20 years — weekly breakfasts sharing life and stories •      Coleman Howlett and Ron Myers — two older mentors, both now passed away, who invested in Andrew as a young man, shaped his faith, and modeled competitiveness and how to treat family 08:39 — Starting Out: Learning Every Department •      Early in his career, Andrew spent time with every department head — maintenance, operations, district managers, the controller, and administrative staff — learning their roles and what they'd improve •      A pivotal conversation with his dad: the business ran tight controls on cost but hadn't focused enough on sales growth — when things got tight, there was less room to cut •      That one conversation changed the trajectory of Andrew's career and the business •      Result: average unit volume per restaurant grew from roughly $600,000 to about $1.8 million — tripling over his tenure 10:48 — Speed Round Books & Resources Mentioned •      Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis — changed how Andrew looks at his faith •      The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey — the most impactful business book Andrew has read; shaped his collaborative approach to leadership •      Digital Life Together by David Smith, Kara Sevensma, Marjorie Terpstra, and Steven McMullen— currently reading; on digital technology's role in Christian education and faith •      Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks (with Micah Sparks) — a reread about family and travel •      The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — a reread, done alongside Andrew's niece Community •      Visit smallstonespodcast.com to join the mailing list and subscribe to future episodes •      Schedule a custom one-on-one or group coaching session with Andrew Schory at smallstonespodcast.com •      Learn more about Andrew's coaching practice at jplcoach.com •      Connect with Andrew Schory on LinkedIn

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Donavon Brent, CEO, Brent Group LLC

   Episode Summary In this episode of the Small Stones Podcast, host Andrew Schory talks with Donavon Brent, CEO of Brent Group LLC, a financial education and coaching firm, and an Army veteran. Donavon shares the raw, personal story behind his own financial turnaround: after a divorce left him more than $411,000 in debt, he spent four hard-fought years writing down every dollar, cutting what he could, and using debt strategically as leverage rather than avoiding the subject altogether. He paid off his final debt in October 2023 and now helps his own clients do the same, bringing them the same clear-eyed budgeting, accountability, and "start where you are" mindset that got him out. The conversation covers the difference between good debt and bad debt, why financial struggle is as much a mental burden as a financial one, what he learned in the Army about leadership and service, and the books that shaped his thinking on money. Guest Information About Donavon Brent Donavon Brent is a financial educator, entrepreneur, Army veteran, and inspirational speaker who helps individuals, families, veterans, and organizations build financial confidence, strengthen leadership, and create lasting generational wealth. He is Co-Founder and CEO of Brent Group LLC and Founder and CEO of Quantify Enterprises, and is a Ramsey Solutions Certified Financial Coach. He holds an MBA from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Brenau University. Before entering the financial education field, Donavon served 21 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He served during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, leading soldiers in high-pressure environments and mentoring future leaders, and earned numerous honors including the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. It's his personal story of resilience, though, that resonates most with audiences: after facing one of the most difficult seasons of his life, Donavon found himself carrying more than $400,000 in debt. Through disciplined financial stewardship and consistent action, he eliminated all of it in four years and transformed his financial future — an experience that now anchors his message that lasting financial transformation is possible from wherever you're starting. Since 2020, he has educated hundreds of individuals, families, entrepreneurs, military members, and community organizations through financial literacy workshops, leadership development programs, and veteran outreach initiatives, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip people to take control of their finances, strengthen their leadership, and build a legacy that impacts generations. Episode Outline 00:54 — Inside Brent Group LLC •      Collaboration-first approach: understanding each client's unique challenges and goals •      Services span budgeting and saving, debt management, and non-fiduciary investing guidance •      Retirement planning: setting goals and building a savings plan •      Financial education as a core offering — literacy is "at an all-time high" in demand, but still under-taught 03:17 — Donavon's Story: Over $400,000 in Debt •      The origin of the debt: a divorce that required selling a home •      Combined with an existing car note and credit card debt, the total reached more than $411,000 •      The moment of reckoning: recognizing the full scope of the debt and asking, "What are you doing here?" 04:52 — How Debt Habits Spiral Under Pressure •      Ordinary financial bad habits often go unnoticed until a major life event hits •      Donavon was already living paycheck to paycheck before the divorce — with no financial margin •      "So many of us are just one event away, one crisis away, from not being able to make it" •      The turning point: deciding to move from financial survival to financial freedom 06:56 — Starting the Process: "Move the Furniture" •      Donavon's metaphor: a house full of furniture you can't see past until you open it up •      He got a pad and pen and started writing down every dollar spent •      A habit he'd already built years earlier •      Writing it down made his real financial picture visible, and showed him what to eliminate 08:27 — "Store Blindness" and the Value of Outside Accountability •      It's hard to see your own financial blind spots when you're living inside them •      Clients often don't realize what they're spending until someone else points it out •      Donavon has helped clients uncover spending they weren't conscious of •      Building trust: Donavon shares his own story and results with clients so they can see themselves in it 11:17 — Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: Using Debt as Leverage •      His father's advice: "Use the bank's money instead of your own" •      Bad debt: credit card debt •      Good debt: debt that pays you back — like a mortgage that builds equity, or capital that grows a business •      The test is cash flow: does the debt generate a return, or is it just "more stuff"? •      Donavon runs an ATM business as an additional income stream, using its proceeds to pay down debt as a leverage strategy 14:36 — Financially Free vs. Financially Struggling •      Someone who isn't financially free spends the moment money comes in •      Someone who is financially free spends structurally, with accountability, on what's needed •      Lesson from The Millionaire Next Door: frugality as a foundation of financial freedom •      "I'm going to tell my money where to go, instead of it telling me where it's going" 15:54 — Rich vs. Wealthy •      Wealth is about what you don't spend, not just what you earn •      Being wealthy means not spending everything you have — comfort over excess •      Freeing up financial capacity frees up mental and emotional capacity to help others •      Financial struggle consumes the mind — an open mind and open heart require margin 19:18 — Lessons from the Army •      Military service shaped Donavon's leadership values: integrity, morals, and a caring heart •      "I've served my country before; I know how to serve people already" •      Leadership definition: you're a leader if people are actually following you 20:19 — Words of Encouragement for Anyone in a Bad Financial State •      Start where you are — you don't need a million dollars or even a thousand •      Write down a plan today; think three to five years ahead •      Start immediately, not "someday" •      Connects directly to the Small Stones philosophy: incremental effort over time 21:39 — The Hardest Part: The Beginning •      Emotions and stress were highest at the start of the four-year journey •      Donavon recently gave a presentation showing the original handwritten page where he first tracked his debt •      His mantra: "You can't change your life in one day — you change it one day at a time" •      Marking off thresholds as he crossed them kept him motivated to keep progressing •      Paid off his final debt in October 2023, and was able to "breathe" for the first time in four years •      He was paying down debt and investing simultaneously throughout the process 22:27 — Selling the House, Renting, and Rebuilding Credit •      Lost his home in 2019 as part of the divorce settlement •      Moved into an apartment for about a year to save money and protect his credit score •      Bought a new home in August 2020 •      A short-term sacrifice made in service of a longer-term strategy, not just change for its own sake 25:10 — Consistency Beats Intensity •      Sustainable financial change comes from maintaining consistency, not a single dramatic push 25:20 — Speed Round Books & Resources Mentioned •      The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko — Donavon's most impactful book; the source of his frugality mindset •      Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki — read while launching Brent Group LLC in 2023; now given to every seminar attendee •      The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey — referenced as a book Donavon returns to repeatedly •      The Risk Worth Taking — currently reading; Teri Ijeoma Host & Show Info Andrew Schory — Host Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results, no matter the size of their business. He is a second-generation family business owner who brings deep operational experience and a passion for authentic leadership to every conversation. Small Stones Podcast Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features interviews with business and thought leaders who share the actions that move life and business forward persistently — one small stone at a time. Community •      Visit smallstonespodcast.com to join the mailing list and subscribe to future episodes •      Schedule a custom one-on-one or group coaching session with Andrew Schory at smallstonespodcast.com •      Connect with Donavon Brent and Brent Group LLC at Brent Group LLC

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Marty Fulkerson, Executive Pastor

   Episode Summary In this episode of the Small Stones Podcast, host Andrew Schory sits down with Marty Fulkerson — Executive Pastor at Grace Heartland Church, Elizabethtown City Council Member, President of the Hardin County Fair Board, licensed realtor, and auctioneer. Marty is a true community servant whose career has spanned radio, marketing, small business ownership, banking, real estate, auctioneering, public service, and now ministry. The conversation covers the business side of running a church, what effective local government really looks like, how faith and public service are more alike than different, and the personal journey from sitting in the pews to genuinely walking with Christ. A warm, wide-ranging conversation about giving, serving, and leaving your community better than you found it. Guest Information About Marty Fulkerson Marty E. Fulkerson has built a life defined by service across nearly every sector of his community. His career has taken him through radio broadcasting, marketing, small business ownership, commercial banking, real estate, auctioneering, and public service — and he currently serves as Executive Pastor at Grace Heartland Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. As Executive Pastor, Marty handles the full operational side of the church: finance, HR, vendor contracts, budgeting, insurance, and building and grounds management. His role allows the lead pastor to focus entirely on shepherding, counseling, sermons, and discipleship — a model Marty believes makes churches more effective and believes should be emulated even in smaller congregations through strong board and elder support. Marty is also an elected member of the Elizabethtown City Council and is currently in his 32nd year on the Hardin County Fair Board, where he serves as president. Episode Outline 00:56 — The Hardin County Fair Board: 32 Years of Community Stewardship •      Marty is in his 32nd year on the Hardin County Fair Board, currently serving as president since 2019 •      Previously served as treasurer and vice president before stepping into the top role •      The fairgrounds as a community asset: circuses, FFA safety days, sheriff's office drone training, tractor pulls, and the official home cross-country course for Central Hardin High School 02:06 — Becoming an Executive Pastor: A Call He Never Saw Coming •      Marty was working as a commercial lender and serving as chair of the elder board at Grace Heartland when he felt a deep, unnamed restlessness •      "I've got a real good paying job, got a wonderful family, been very blessed. But what's going on inside me?" •      Lead Pastor Jeff Dolwes told him: "God's got a calling on your life" •      The board asked him to step out of a meeting — then invited him to join as Executive Pastor 03:37 — What an Executive Pastor Actually Does •      Marty covers the full operational side of the church: finance, HR, contracts, vendor negotiations, budget, insurance, building and grounds •      The purpose: free the lead pastor to focus entirely on shepherding — sickness, death, weddings, counseling, sermons, discipleship, and small groups •      Smaller churches without a dedicated exec pastor should lean heavily on their board of deacons or elders to absorb that load •      Most seminary-trained pastors received no formal business, finance, or contract training — and shouldn't have to 06:00 — Bridging the Business Brain and the Ministry Brain •      The tension between running a financially sound operation and the spiritual call to give, serve, and trust •      "When finances are tight, He has never not come through" •      The risk of cutting expenses: in a church, cutting expenses often means cutting ministries — the very thing that brings people in •      A vivid example: an unexpected AC unit failure, a person in need of rent help, and an anonymous gift that covered both the next day •      The call to be good stewards while trusting that God will provide — living by faith, not just preaching it 09:20 — What Effective Local Government Looks Like •      Marty first tried to run for magistrate at age 21 — and was told by County Judge Executive R.R. "Babe" Thomas that he was too young (the minimum age was 24) •      Babe Thomas took him to lunch and gave him foundational advice: make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time •      It's also okay to change a decision when new information comes in — integrity isn't stubbornness 10:43 — Why He's Always Been Drawn to Public Service •      A desire instilled by mentors and givers who gave not just financially, but of their time and talent •      "We want to leave this world better" — a driving philosophy across every role Marty has held •      The desire isn't personal gain; it's genuinely trying to help the community grow in the best direction 12:37 — Making a City Council Work: Shared Vision, Private Debate •      The Elizabethtown council works from Mayor Gregory's shared vision — council members understand the direction before meetings begin •      Lots of pre-meeting discussion, debate, and alternative path evaluation happens before any public vote •      Six council members with diverse backgrounds and passions, plus Mayor Gregory and City Administrator Ed Pope — all working it out 14:03 — How Church and City Government Inform Each Other •      Both are fundamentally about service — the question is always how to serve people most effectively •      Church: serving members, reaching the lost, lightening the load for those struggling •      City government: providing services efficiently, meeting citizens' needs •      The mayor has regularly reached out to local churches when community needs arise — and they've answered every time •      A strong partnership between the city, nonprofits, agencies, and churches is already working in Elizabethtown 16:25 — Radio, Play-by-Play & a Love of Sports •      Marty got his start in radio through public address announcing at North Hardin High School basketball games •      That led to a play-by-play career alongside broadcasters Dick Curtis and Ron Boone, mentored by Tom Stevens •      Favorite sport: basketball (first love), now also football thanks to his son Dawson •      How Dawson's love of the NBA pulled Marty into watching games and attending them — then football united them further 18:53 — How He Became an Auctioneer •      Taught himself to chant as a kid — just thought it was interesting •      While running a sign company, he did signage for a local auctioneer — and started chanting when the auctioneer came to pick them up •      The auctioneer asked if he'd been to auction school. He hadn't. "That's pretty good." •      Went on to earn his apprentice and principal auctioneer license 20:33 — What He Knows Now That He Wishes He'd Known 25 Years Ago •      A deeper relationship with Christ — not just belief, but genuine daily relationship •      "I was baptized in 1990 and came to the Lord, but never had a relationship" •      His wife Rhonda's daily example of walking with Christ changed everything for him •      The difference between being a Christian and having a relationship with Christ: like the difference between a work acquaintance and your closest family •      "If you're just sitting in the pews, checking the box, and not really having a relationship — you're missing so much more" 22:43 — Speed Round Books & Resources Mentioned •      The Mission Always Wins by Tod Bolsinger — on staying mission-focused •      Grace Is Greater by Kyle Idleman — on the power and reach of grace in every circumstance •      Samuel Haycraft's History of Elizabethtown — local Elizabethtown history; currently reading Host & Show Info Andrew Schory — Host Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results, no matter the size of their business. He is a second-generation family business owner who brings deep operational experience and a passion for authentic leadership to every conversation. Community •      Visit smallstonespodcast.com to join the mailing list and subscribe to future episodes •      Schedule a custom one-on-one or group coaching session with Andrew Schory at smallstonespodcast.com

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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