Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

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.

In this powerful episode of Going Big, host Kevin Gentry talks with Ryan Manion, President of the Travis Manion Foundation, about turning personal loss into national impact. After her brother, First Lieutenant Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq, Ryan carried his words, “If not me, then who?”, into a mission that now inspires millions. Together they explore what it means to go big through service, showing how resilience, mentorship, and purpose can transform tragedy into a movement that empowers veterans, uplifts families, and shapes the next generation of leaders. This is a conversation about courage, leadership, and how one family’s sacrifice became a call to go big for something greater than yourself.

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Congressman Burgess Owens for an unforgettable conversation about perseverance, faith, and rediscovering the American Dream. From growing up in the segregated South to becoming a Super Bowl champion and later rebuilding his life after losing everything, Burgess shares how grit, humility, and service became his foundation.   He reflects on the values that shaped his journey—faith, family, free enterprise, and education—and how they continue to drive his mission in Congress and his work with underserved youth. Burgess speaks candidly about failure, resilience, mentorship, and how America’s spirit of opportunity gives every person a chance to rise again.   This conversation is a moving reminder that success is not measured by titles or trophies but by character, conviction, and how we lift others along the way. Whether you’re chasing your next big goal or searching for renewed purpose, Burgess Owens’ story will challenge you to believe again, dream again, and go big.

What does it take to spark a national economic renaissance? In this episode of the Going Big! podcast, host Kevin Gentry is joined by two of the most influential economic minds and strategists of our time — Dr.  Art Laffer, legendary architect of the Laffer Curve, and Lord Matthew Elliott, strategist behind Brexit and co‑founder of the UK’s TaxPayers’ Alliance. Together they unpack their new book Prosperity Through Growth: Boosting Living Standards in an Age of Autocracy and Artificial Intelligence and share a bold vision for rebuilding nations by focusing on five universal levers: tax, spending, regulation, trade, and monetary policy. With wisdom forged from decades advising presidents and prime ministers, Laffer and Elliott make a compelling case that prosperity is a human calling — and that bold leadership, long‑term thinking, and the courage to act can reverse national decline. Whether you’re a student of economics, a political leader, or someone who simply believes in the potential of people, this episode will leave you thinking bigger about what’s possible. Check their book out here: https://www.prosperitythroughgrowth.com/home

Description: In this episode of Going Big, host Kevin Gentry welcomes Daron Babcock, the visionary behind Bonton Farms, one of America’s largest urban farming movements and a national model for restorative community development. After enduring profound personal loss and battling addiction, Daron rebuilt his life by choosing to serve others. He didn’t launch a grand plan. He simply showed up in a neighborhood most people overlooked. What began as one garden on an empty lot in South Dallas has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem of dignity, jobs, health, housing, and hope. Bonton Farms is more than a farm. It’s about rewriting stories, restoring potential, and proving that one act of compassion can transform a community. If you’ve ever wondered what following your calling can do for you, this conversation is your answer. (Also, you can watch a short video about Eddie, who Daron mentions joined them at Bonton Farms, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLNGkLxWG7A). Now, are you looking to Go Big for your own great cause? Check out Zeffy – the only fundraising platform that delivers 100% of every donor’s gift directly to your cause. Donors can choose to optionally tip Zeffy, but if they give $100, you get $100. Zeffy is a proud sponsor of the Going Big! podcast as we share the goal to empower YOU! to make your greatest impact. Check them out at https://bit.ly/Zeffy-Going-Big-Podcast

In this unforgettable episode of the Going Big Podcast, Kevin Gentry sits down with one of the most accomplished and authentic public servants of our time — Kay Coles James. From being born on a kitchen table in Portsmouth, Virginia, to leading institutions like the Heritage Foundation, the Office of Personnel Management, and founding the Gloucester Institute, Kay’s story is a powerful testament to faith, grit, and purpose. She shares what it means to live “unbothered” — a life anchored in trust, calling, and conviction — and how she navigated decades of public service while staying true to her values as a wife, mother, and leader. With wisdom forged in hardship and guided by her faith, Kay opens up about: * The moment she found her voice while defending the unborn * What it means to serve without seeking spotlight * Leading with authenticity, humor, and courage * Raising up the next generation of “solutionists” through the Gloucester Institute * Why relationships and calling matter more than credentials or titles Her impact has touched presidents, governors, students, and communities across the country — and now, it’s your turn to be inspired. Tune in to hear why Governor Glenn Youngkin calls her “a welcome sign for a relationship that will change your life,” and why Governor George Allen calls her the MVP of Virginia reform. 💡 Get ready to be challenged, encouraged, and reminded that going big often starts with being faithful in the small things. Now, are you looking to Go Big for your own great cause? Check out Zeffy – the only fundraising platform that delivers 100% of every donor’s gift directly to your cause. Donors can choose to optionally tip Zeffy, but if they give $100, you get $100. Zeffy is a proud sponsor of the Going Big! podcast as we share the goal to empower YOU! to make your greatest impact.  Check them out at https://bit.ly/Zeffy-Going-Big-Podcast

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with best-selling author and entrepreneur Don Miller. Known for groundbreaking books like Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Hero on a Mission, and the transformative Building a StoryBrand, Don shares how storytelling has shaped his life and helped countless leaders and organizations clarify their message. From his early memoirs to creating one of the most influential frameworks in modern marketing, Don reveals how the art of story can drive growth, inspire action, and create lasting impact. Whether you lead a business, a nonprofit, or a personal project, this episode will help you think bigger, communicate with clarity, and create your own great story. Now, are you looking to Go Big for your own great cause? Check out Zeffy – the only fundraising platform that delivers 100% of every donor’s gift directly to your cause. Donors can choose to optionally tip Zeffy, but if they give $100, you get $100. Zeffy is a proud sponsor of the Going Big! podcast as we share the goal to empower YOU! to make your greatest impact. Check them out at https://bit.ly/Zeffy-Going-Big-Podcast

Join Wendy Borcherdt, a dedicated Reagan supporter and civic leader, as she shares her firsthand experiences with Ronald Reagan's remarkable journey. She highlights his unique communication style, moral compass, and leadership during turbulent times, including campus riots and the Cold War. Wendy also discusses the grassroots fundraising strategies that fueled his campaigns and reflects on Reagan's commitment to women's roles in leadership. Listeners will gain insights into purposeful leadership and be inspired by Reagan's vision for America.

This highlights episode of the Going Big! Podcast celebrates our first year with some fantastic guests. Host Kevin Gentry brings together the most powerful clips from Year One, showing what it means to Go Big in business, leadership, and life. Hear directly from Jeff Rosenthal of Summit and Powder Mountain, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Professor Todd Rose, restaurateur Will Guidara, Senator Phil Gramm,  Reverend John Yates, radio host Erick Erickson, businessmen and philanthropists Art Pope, Tom Smith, Doug DeVos, and University President Katherine Rowe. Their stories highlight how risk-taking fuels growth, how mentors multiply your impact, and how bold leadership inspires others. Whether you are new to Going Big! or have been with us since the beginning, this highlights episode is the perfect way to catch the very best lessons on Going Big! so far.

In this inspiring episode of the Going Big podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with President Lech Wałęsa, the shipyard electrician from Gdańsk, Poland, who defied the Soviet Union, ignited a movement of over ten million people, and helped reshape the course of history. With courage rooted in faith and conviction, President Wałęsa led the Solidarity movement, earned the Nobel Peace Prize, and became the first democratically elected President of Poland since 1926— a true example of what it means to go big. Now in his eighties, President Wałęsa reflects on how faith overcomes fear, why collective wisdom is vital for the future, and the responsibility of today’s leaders to confront global challenges with courage and clarity. From bringing down walls of oppression to calling for bold leadership in the twenty-first century, this conversation is a reminder that going big is not just about ambition — it is about rising to the moment and inspiring others to do the same. Learn more at historyexplorer.com