Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Kevin Gentry

Episodes

Mentioned books

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Jan 19, 2026 • 48min

Going Big with Dr. Michael Crow: Redesigning the American University

What if excellence in higher education wasn’t about who you exclude—but about how many you can empower to succeed? In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and one of the most visionary university leaders in America. Over the past two decades, Dr. Crow has led a sweeping transformation of ASU—turning it into the nation’s largest research university, dramatically expanding access, and pioneering a new model of continuous innovation. They explore how ASU scaled from 55,000 to over 200,000 degree-seeking students without compromising quality, why the university now graduates more engineers than nearly any institution in America, and how it became a driving force behind the largest foreign direct investment in U.S. history. Dr. Crow also unpacks the cultural resistance he faced, the radical accountability embedded in ASU’s charter, and how universities can become true engines of national progress. If you care about the future of higher education, institutional transformation, or what it means to lead boldly at scale—this conversation will reset your expectations.
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Jan 12, 2026 • 57min

Going Big with Governor Glenn Youngkin: From Basketball to the Boardroom to the Capitol

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Governor Glenn Youngkin for a wide‑ranging and deeply personal conversation that goes far beyond politics. From growing up in a working‑class Virginia family shaped by resilience, to leading one of the world’s most influential investment firms, to answering an unexpected call to public service, Governor Youngkin shares the defining moments that prepared him for leadership. He reflects on the mentors who challenged him, the role of faith in shaping his marriage and decision‑making, and the lessons sports taught him about teamwork, discipline, and results. Kevin and Governor Youngkin explore what it really means to go big as a leader—why listening matters more than talking, how values guide hard decisions, and why execution ultimately separates good ideas from real impact. The conversation connects business leadership, public service, and personal purpose in a way that’s practical, honest, and deeply human. Whether you’re leading an organization, discerning a calling, or simply asking what meaningful service looks like in your own life, this episode offers a compelling blueprint for leading with clarity, conviction, and purpose.
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Jan 5, 2026 • 40min

Going Big with Gay Gaines: The Woman Behind the GOP Revolution and the Revival of Mount Vernon

What does it take to launch a revolution—twice? In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Gay Gaines, one of the most influential civic leaders of the last half-century. She helped build GOPAC into the engine that propelled Newt Gingrich to the speakership in 1994. Then she went on to raise over $100 million to transform Mount Vernon into the national treasure it is today. Gay’s story is about more than political strategy or philanthropy—it’s about fearlessness. From befriending Margaret Thatcher and Bill Buckley to organizing with Rush Limbaugh and inspiring thousands to give generously, she shows what it means to commit fully to a cause you believe in. Tune in to hear how she built movements, mentored leaders, and raised money the old-fashioned way: by asking big, bold, unapologetic questions. This is a masterclass in conviction, contribution, and Going Big.
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Dec 29, 2025 • 59min

Going Big with Tyler Cowen, the Information Billionaire: The Future Belongs to the Non-Complacent

Tyler Cowen returns to Going Big! for a sweeping conversation on ambition, disruption, and how to think clearly in a world moving faster than ever. From his early days studying Austrian economics at George Mason to running one of the most influential economics blogs in the world with Marginal Revolution, Cowen reflects on the personal choices that shaped his path—and the broader trends that will shape the future. Along the way, he shares what drives his relentless curiosity, why ambition is underrated, and how to keep growing intellectually in a rapidly changing world. He also offers insights into the rise of AI, the future of education, the bureaucracy of philanthropy, and the subtle dangers of social comfort. Plus: how he reads 5–10x faster than most people, how he chooses podcast guests, and why "not going crazy" is one of the most overlooked traits of long-term success. If you're curious about what it takes to build a life of impact—and how to stay sharp, bold, and useful in the AI era—this episode is for you.
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Dec 22, 2025 • 56min

Going Big with Scott Beaulier: Rethinking Higher Ed with a First-Gen College Dean

Host Kevin Gentry sits down with Dr. Scott Beaulier, Dean of the University of Wyoming College of Business, for a conversation about what it takes to keep going when life and leadership get hard. Dr. Beaulier shares how growing up in Iron Mountain, Michigan, working his way up at McDonald’s, and being the first in his family to pursue college shaped his grit, discipline, and drive to pursue something bigger.   From marathon miles to major decisions, he unpacks the moments that define you, including “hitting the wall,” facing pressure, and pushing through when quitting feels easier. He also shares how mentors changed his trajectory, why higher education needs real innovation, and what it looks like to lead with purpose, resilience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo in order to create opportunity for others.
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Dec 15, 2025 • 51min

Going Big with Tim Busch: Serial Entrepreneurship, Faith, and Cultural Renewal

Host Kevin Gentry sits down with entrepreneur and philanthropist Tim Busch to explore how faith, hard work, and vision shaped his journey from working in a Michigan supermarket to leading several major businesses and founding influential institutions. Tim shares how early discipline, entrepreneurial grit, and a commitment to openly living his Catholic faith guided him as he built enterprises in law, real estate, hospitality, and beyond. They discuss the creation of Legatus, the Napa Institute, the Magis Institute, and the Tim and Steph Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, along with Tim’s belief that leaders should bring their faith into the marketplace to renew culture and strengthen communities. He closes with a challenge inspired by John Paul II: whatever your tradition, be a good one.
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Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 4min

Going Big with Rev. Dan Marotta: Small Faithfulness and Big Impact

Host Kevin Gentry sits down with Rev. Dan Marotta of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia, for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to go big by first being faithful in the small things. Rev. Marotta shares his unexpected journey from studying marine biology to entering ministry, shaped through heartbreak, loss, and a renewed encounter with the hope of Jesus Christ. He explains how most people discover their calling through steady obedience rather than dramatic signs, and why paying close attention to what God has already placed in front of you can lead to life-changing purpose. Kevin and Rev. Marotta explore the role of mentors, the beauty and challenge of church planting, and how to pursue ambition that is rooted in humility and service instead of platform. Along the way, Rev. Marotta unpacks the meaning of Advent, the identity of Jesus Christ, and why the Christian story offers such profound hope for leaders who want to make a difference. His message is unmistakable: going big starts with showing up, loving well, and trusting that God often does His biggest work through simple, faithful steps.
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Dec 1, 2025 • 45min

Going Big with François de Kerret: Zero-Fee Fundraising and Building Tools Nonprofits Deserve

In this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with François de Kerret, the CEO and co-founder of Zeffy, a zero-fee fundraising platform now used by more than 50,000 nonprofits. François shares how a simple frustration he experienced while trying to volunteer turned into a platform that has helped nonprofits process over one billion dollars in donations. He explains why nonprofits deserve world-class technology, why overhead should not hold back impact, and how transparency and generosity from donors make Zeffy’s model work. Kevin and François talk about what it takes to scale something everyone said “would not work,” how young founders can think bigger, and why risk-taking often feels different in the nonprofit world. They also dig into hiring great people, staying true to your mission, and what separates small thinkers from big thinkers. One of the most inspiring themes in this episode is François’s core mindset: Imagine that whatever you try will work. What would you do? Then ask what is really stopping you from doing it. It is exactly the kind of optimistic, action-oriented thinking that defines Going Big! and the leaders who change the world around them. If you lead, support, or believe in nonprofits, this episode will give you fresh optimism and practical encouragement to think bigger, take bolder steps, and build for lasting impact. Check them out here: https://www.zeffy.com/register
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Nov 24, 2025 • 53min

Going Big with Dr. William Keyes: Mission, Mentorship, and a Pipeline of High Expectations

Host Kevin Gentry sits down with Dr. William Keyes, founder of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, for a masterclass in thinking big while staying focused. From hitchhiking to Washington with five dollars to advising President Ronald Reagan, Keyes shares how discipline, clarity of mission, and faith shaped a two-summer program that forges high character leaders through elite internships, intimate seminars in economics and the Constitution, and deep mentorship. The results speak for themselves, including multiple Rhodes, Truman, and Fulbright scholars and an alumni network defined by service, integrity, and high expectations.   This conversation digs into how to resist mission creep, why small cohorts can create outsized impact, and how leaders can set standards that young men will rise to meet. Keyes explains the power of taking time to think, building a culture that prizes critical thinking and responsibility, and measuring success by lives changed. If you want a playbook for going big with purpose and staying true to what matters most, this episode is it.
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Nov 17, 2025 • 58min

Going Big with Christian Fischer and Chad Houser: Building Momentum for Second Chances

In this inspiring episode of Going Big, host Kevin Gentry sits down with two visionary leaders who are changing lives through purpose, compassion, and courage. Christian Fischer, former CEO of Georgia-Pacific, and Chad Houser, founder of Café Momentum, share the story of how a bold idea to teach justice-involved youth culinary skills became a national movement transforming entire communities. Chad describes the moment he walked into a Dallas juvenile detention center to teach eight young men to make ice cream—and how that simple act sparked a life-changing mission. From that day forward, Café Momentum grew into a powerful model of mentorship, consistency, and opportunity for youth who deserve a second chance. Christian shares how he helped bring Café Momentum to Atlanta, uniting business leaders, policymakers, and citizens to create a space where young people can thrive through hard work and dignity. Together, they explore how courage, community, and belief in others can build unstoppable momentum for good. This is a story about going big—not just in vision, but in heart, service, and impact.

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