Big Ideas Welcome

Patrick Hunt has a big idea: SHOW UP!

Patrick Hunt joins Big Ideas Welcome host Chris McAdoo to dig into what it means for technology-focused founders to “show up” in their entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the incredible impact they can have on their companies, their people, and their communities.

Patrick Hunt just can’t help but show up. A successful entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience as a founder, mentor, and now serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Lirio, Patrick serves as a vision-caster and big idea generator in the ever competitive world of intelligence and digital health transformation.

Patrick has over 30 years’ experience in consulting for Fortune 1000 companies, early stage and emerging start-ups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Along with his background in digital product development and behavioral economics, Patrick is also a leader in marketing automation, user research, information architecture, interactive design, and more. Through Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, he also serves as a frequent executive-level mentor to founders with companies large, small and everywhere in-between.

Learn more:

Lirio Website
OnGoing Venture Website

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by Chris McAdoo.

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KEC: Instagram | Facebook | Website I Twitter | Linkedin#MadeforKnoxville WebsiteChris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe: Apple Podcast | SpotifyCheck Us Out: Website
If you have any questions, comments, or big ideas of your own, email us at [email protected]The show is Produced and Edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

Mark Schaefer is the first guest of 2023 on the Big Ideas Welcome podcast! Mark is a best-selling author whose 10th book, Belonging to the Brand, has just hit shelves. Beyond writing, Mark is a globally recognized keynote speaker, educator, and business consultant, who has taken the stage at some of the largest industry and corporate conferences, including SXSW, Dell World, the American Bar Association Annual Conference, and many others. In this episode, Chris and Mark discuss:
-Mark's new book, Belonging to the Brand
-Why Mark is an "encourager of being a better listener"
-The power of the personal brand and how it helps to build community
-The relationship between marketing and community
-The value of understanding “experience at scale”
-Mark’s suggestion of a new way to measure marketing value
Join us for the Mark Schaefer, "Belonging to the Brand", LIVESTREAM presented by the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center on January 25th at 6pm. Learn more.

In This Episode:
Mark Schaefer Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | PodcastChris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
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KEC: Instagram | Facebook | Website I Twitter | Linkedin#MadeforKnoxville: https://www.madeforknoxville.com/Chris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe: Apple Podcast |

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

Hannah Lee has a BIG IDEA: “The four-day workweek will change the way we work.”

Hannah is the CEO and Co-founder of Second Mile, an award-winning revenue operations agency focused on helping its clients scale smarter and improve the workweek.

She believes very strongly in the power of time, and making the most of it, - so it was important to her and her Second Mile team to tackle the possibilities, benefits and challenges of the four-day workweek. They’ve seen increased productivity, consistent revenue growth, and improved employee work-life balance.

They’ve also been keen to focus on building a positive, collaborative culture where employees can communicate freely, and quickly - to accomplish big things in a limited timeframe. As Hannah succinctly puts it, “If you have two weeks to pack, or two hours, you will fill the suitcase”.

Now, she is sharing her passion for the four day work week with the world, including speaking at one of the biggest marketing conferences in the world, INBOUND 2023!

To learn more about Hannah, connect with her on LinkedIn or check out Second Mile.
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KEC: Instagram | Facebook | Website I Twitter | Linkedin#MadeforKnoxville WebsiteChris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe: Apple Podcast | SpotifyCheck Us Out: Website
If you have any questions, comments, or big ideas of your own, email us at [email protected]The show is Produced and Edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

About the Guests
Drew Holcomb is a true pioneer in the independent music world. As the frontman of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, he has not only earned over 500 million global streams and sold more than 400,000 albums but has also built an enduring career that seamlessly blends artistry with entrepreneurship. Over the past two decades, Drew has been a leading figure in contemporary Americana and roots music, headlining global festivals like Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, and BottleRock. He’s also the founder of Moon River Music Festival, an event that has become a staple in the Chattanooga music scene, and Magnolia Record Club, a monthly vinyl subscription service. In addition to his musical career, Drew has ventured into the spirits industry with Sweetens Cove Whiskey, collaborating with Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit.

Kelsi Walker is a singer-songwriter and storyteller whose music blends raw emotion with indie rock and Americana influences. Known for her authentic voice, Kelsi crafts songs that explore love, loss, and self-discovery. She is also the Director of Communications at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center and the founder of Free Women Waltzing Club, an initiative supporting paid opportunities for female musicians.

Why This Matters
Drew Holcomb’s career is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and creative entrepreneurship. In this episode, Chris, Drew, and Kelsi explore how finding your people—whether fans, collaborators, or business partners—can be the catalyst for success in the creative world. Drew’s journey spans over two decades of growth, from playing small venues to headlining major festivals and building a diverse set of entrepreneurial ventures. The episode delves into the balance of maintaining creative integrity while navigating the challenges of managing a sustainable business. Drew’s story illustrates how investing in relationships—both personal and professional—has been the driving force behind his success.

This conversation dives deep into the practicalities of building a career in music, including how to diversify revenue streams, balance creative passion with business decisions, and cultivate an audience that’s not just passive, but actively engaged. For musicians and entrepreneurs alike, the insights shared in this episode will provide a roadmap for turning passion into lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Community: Building an authentic connection with your audience is the foundation of a sustainable career.
  
• Entrepreneurship in Music: Drew’s career shows how artists can leverage their creativity into diverse business ventures, from festivals to whiskey, while staying true to their roots.
  
• Investing in Relationships: Success is built on real, meaningful connections—not just with your fans, but with your team, collaborators, and partners.
  
• Creative Resilience: In the world of music and business, adapting and evolving yo

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

This week on the pod, host Chris McAdoo is joined by Tom Ballard.Tom is a legendary "community builder" who has a true understanding of the power of relationships. Over the past 50 years, Tom has served as Vice President for Public and Governmental Relations at the University of Tennessee, the inaugural Director of Partnerships for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and is currently the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Initiatives for PYA.
In this episode, Chris and Tom discuss:
-the importance of mentors
-the impact of sharing honest support and feedback
-the power of relationships
-why Tom feels it is so important to work on someone else's agenda and to recognize individuals just that, individuals
-the changes and evolution Tom has seen in the entrepreneurial space (especially in Knoxville) over his career
-collaborative competition
-and so much more!

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In This Episode:

Tom Ballard: LinkedInTeknovationPYAHeartland Forward University of TennesseeORNLKEC: Instagram | Facebook | Website I Twitter | Linkedin#MadeforKnoxville: https://www.madeforknoxville.com/Chris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe: Apple Podcast |

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.