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CASE STUDIES
Dan Snow: Why a Harvard Professor Chose Purpose Over Status
In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Dan Snow, Berkeley PhD and Harvard Business School professor turned BYU educator; for a thoughtful conversation on identity, reinvention, and choosing a life of deep purpose over conventional success.
Dan shares his journey from the factory floors of Ford to the lecture halls of Harvard, and why he ultimately walked away from the elite academic path to teach and mentor at BYU. With rare humility and clarity, he unpacks the quiet courage it takes to start over, the challenges of being “the outsider,” and what it means to build a life that actually aligns with your values.
They explore leadership, legacy, and how the most meaningful growth often comes from embracing discomfort. Whether it’s navigating faith in unfamiliar environments or making high stakes career pivots, Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that status isn’t the goal, impact is.
00:00 | Introduction & Chelsea’s Journey
03:55 | Education as Leadership Development
07:34 | Dan’s Upbringing in Colorado Springs
13:30 | Being the Outsider & Building Empathy
17:22 | Faith, Contrast, and Cultural Identity
19:43 | Mission in Rome & Early Lessons in Rejection
22:59 | The Pivot Away from Law School
26:24 | Working at Ford & Career Clarity
30:05 | Choosing a PhD Over Corporate Success
31:48 | Berkeley, Humility, and Academic Culture
39:30 | The Dissertation: Last Gasp of Carburetors
45:26 | The Hidden Power of Applied Theory
49:13 | Greatness, Grit, and the Clay Christensen Standard
54:14 | Turning Talents into Purpose
56:01 | Reinvention & The Power of Starting Over
58:41 | Spiritual Greatness in Everyday People
01:02:06 | Creation, Progress & the Human Drive
01:03:04 | Teaching at Oxford & Global Perspectives
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114. Taylor Randall: President of the University of Utah on Leadership, Innovation, and Institutional Growth
01:10:34||Season 1, Ep. 114In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Taylor Randall, the 17th president of the University of Utah and former dean of the David Eccles School of Business. With a background as a distinguished economist and academic leader, Taylor brings deep insight into what it takes to lead major institutions through growth, innovation, and cultural transformation.He shares the leadership principles that guided his decade-long transformation of the Eccles School into a nationally recognized and fast growing business program, and discusses how those same values now shape his presidency at the University of Utah. The conversation explores how to build momentum in complex systems, why fast decision making matters, and how to lead with both humility and urgency in high stakes environments.Casey and Taylor unpack topics ranging from academic innovation and public university strategy to entrepreneurship, economics, and the future of higher education.00:00 | Welcome & Introduction to Taylor Randall01:14 | Growing Up at the University of Utah03:10 | Early Career at Arthur Andersen05:01 | Wharton Years & Ambitious Peers06:13 | Academic Curiosity & Consulting for MLB07:34 | Why Chaos Creates Opportunity08:31 | PhD Research on Global Operations Strategy10:27 | Turning Down Chicago to Return to Utah11:27 | Venture Fund & Breaking the Classroom Model13:37 | How AI Disrupts and Enhances Higher Ed14:42 | Launching Lassonde Studios & Student Startups16:59 | Building Immersive, Purpose-Driven Experiences18:50 | Early 2000s Venture Fund Success & Lessons20:31 | Inspiration Behind the Entrepreneurial Institute21:57 | Reimagining the Classroom-Incubator Hybrid22:07 | Teaming Up with Futurists and Architects23:39 | Becoming Dean During the Financial Crisis24:18 | Privatizing the Business School Model27:36 | Program Innovation & Specialized Master’s Degrees30:48 | Education as a Confidence Catalyst32:25 | Mentorship, Mistakes & Growth Moments34:59 | Considering Life After Academia36:15 | Presidential Application Process & Headwinds in Higher Ed38:33 | Interviewing for President During COVID40:13 | Behind Utah’s Nationally Ranked COVID Response43:36 | Lessons from the Pandemic Response Team45:43 | Understanding the University of Utah as a $9B Enterprise47:02 | Medical Education, Research, and Clinical Trials50:36 | Breakthroughs in Neurobionics & HIV Prevention52:04 | University-Owned Businesses & Innovation Ecosystem53:16 | Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Impact on Utah County54:50 | Collaborative Vision Across Utah’s Higher Ed Institutions55:22 | Proxima: Creating Healthcare Career Pathways57:54 | UVU, First-Gen Students & The Promise of Education59:11 | Executive Education & Adapting to a Changing Market59:26 | The Future of College Sports & Athlete Compensation01:03:20 | Sustainable Models for College Athletics
113. Jared Sine: Highlight Episode
33:52||Season 1, Ep. 113In this week’s episode, Jared Sine sits down with Casey to share his journey from managing the challenges of Hirschsprung’s disease to becoming a top legal and strategy executive at companies like Expedia, Match Group, and GoDaddy.Jared reflects on the role faith has played in shaping his career choices and personal life. He discusses balancing work, family, and staying true to his values, even in high-pressure environments. Jared also opens up about the importance of trusting in divine guidance during career transitions and personal trials, showing how faith has been a consistent anchor in his life.This episode is packed with insights on leadership, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. Jared explains how mentorship and surrounding yourself with like-minded, value-driven people can accelerate both personal and professional success, demonstrating the power of a strong community.
113. Casey Baugh: What I Wish I knew in my 20s
19:42||Season 1, Ep. 113Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or behind in your 20s or 30s? In this powerful solo episode, Casey Baugh shares a personal roadmap to breaking free from stagnation and building a life of momentum, meaning, and success. Now 43, Casey reflects on the pivotal lessons and habits that helped him transition from uncertainty to building wealth, purpose, and personal power.From early mentorship at Vivint to the miracle morning routine that reshaped his days, Casey outlines the exact steps that helped him create consistent wins. Whether you’re seeking clarity in your career, energy in your habits, or direction for your future—this episode delivers real, actionable insights to help you get moving and stay moving.Learn how to:• Simplify focus and take massive action• Build atomic habits that transform your mornings• Ask the right questions to unlock opportunity• Use momentum to multiply success• Reframe your 20s as a launching pad—not a finish lineChapters00:00 | Introduction: Stuck in Your 20s01:11 | The Power of Intentional Choices02:00 | Why Mentorship in Your 20s Matters03:41 | The Life-Changing Decision to Join Vivint03:53 | Focus: Doing One Thing Well05:05 | Simple Goal, Big Results05:58 | John Maxwell’s Law of the Big Mo06:50 | Take Massive Action, Not Perfect Action07:48 | Ready, Fire, Aim: Just Start08:34 | The Most Important Question: What’s My Biggest Opportunity?09:43 | Starve Problems, Feed Opportunities10:59 | Saying No to Good for the Sake of Great11:35 | Habits Matter More Than Motivation12:07 | Sunday Planning: The #1 Weekly Habit12:37 | Miracle Mornings: Casey’s Morning Routine14:05 | Cold Plunges, Meditation, and Momentum16:07 | Training Confidence Through Hard Choices17:35 | Stack the Daily Wins18:59 | Bill Ackman’s Comeback Blueprint20:03 | The Compound Effect of Daily Choices20:28 | Final Thoughts: Build a Life That Compounds
112. Bruce Roberts: Highlight Episode
37:19||Season 1, Ep. 112In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Bruce Roberts, whose journey ranging from being a CrossFit community leader to a 26-year military veteran is nothing short of inspiring. Casey and Bruce reminisce about their shared history at CrossFit Hyperion and the deep sense of community, discipline, and hard work that defined the gym’s culture.Bruce opens up about his time in the military, including his work with special forces and his deployments in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and beyond. He shares the lessons he learned about leadership, focusing on leading by example, fostering trust, and the power of treating people with respect. His journey reveals the challenges and rewards of guiding others in some of the world’s most intense environments.Bruce continues to serve others through humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and Ukraine. This conversation is full of powerful insights on leadership, service, and the importance of leaving a lasting, positive mark on the world.
111. Kyle Reyes: Highlight Episode
32:21||Season 1, Ep. 111In this week's episode, Casey reconnects with good friend and educator Kyle Reyes. They dive into the transformative power of education and the role of mentorship. Kyle shares his journey from a struggling student with a 0.68 GPA to a leader in higher education, revealing how finding relevance and purpose can change the course of a life. This discussion highlights the importance of creating environments where every individual feels seen, heard, and empowered.Kyle also reflects on his experiences at UVU, the impact of diverse mentors, and how empathy can bridge gaps across differences. Whether you're navigating your own educational journey or supporting someone else's, this episode offers valuable insights on unlocking potential and inspiring others.
111. Cam Bawden: The 1% Pursuit, Ambition, Alignment, and Authenticity
49:54||Season 1, Ep. 111In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Cam Bawden, serial entrepreneur, pilot, and founder of Green Mango Pest Control and Coconut Cleaning, for a deep dive into what it really means to live and lead like the 1%.Cam shares his journey from door-to-door sales in the Arizona heat to scaling multi-million dollar home service companies and creating a movement centered on faith, family, and intentional growth. He opens up about the mindset shifts that redefined his version of success, the daily systems that keep him grounded, and the power of pursuing alignment over applause.Together, they explore what happens after the financial exit, how to stay hungry when you no longer have to, and why authenticity is the real differentiator among the top 1%.This conversation is equal parts strategy and soul; a masterclass in building a life that compounds in business, relationships, and impact.00:00 | Introduction & Background01:00 | From Pest Control to Purpose02:30 | Starting Green Mango & the Power of Persistence05:00 | Weekly Planning & Life Transformation07:45 | Post-Exit Realizations & Staying Hungry10:00 | Giving as a Daily Practice13:00 | Building Wealth vs. Preserving Impact15:30 | Childhood Lessons & Work Ethic18:40 | Early Entrepreneurial Struggles21:00 | The Turning Point at Year 724:30 | Scaling Through Franchising with Coconut Cleaning27:30 | The 1% Club & Mentorship Mindset30:50 | Marriage, Alignment & Communication36:00 | Family Planning Systems & Quarterly Retreats41:00 | Friendships, Heroes & Endorsements46:30 | Faith, Obedience & Daily Devotionals48:00 | Final Reflections & Future Vision
110. Alex Bean: Highlight Episode
34:46||Season 1, Ep. 110In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Alex Bean, entrepreneur and author. We explore the untold stories behind one of Utah’s most remarkable tech successes, Divvy. From the early days of Divvy’s inception to its rise and eventual sale, Alex shares a candid look at the intense highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey. But what happens after the adrenaline of the startup grind fades?Alex opens up about the profound personal and professional shifts that occurred after stepping away from the company, revealing the challenges of finding new purpose and fulfillment post-exit. We delve into the emotional complexities of navigating life after a major financial windfall, the unexpected strain it can place on relationships, and the search for a lasting legacy.Whether you’re an entrepreneur at the start of your journey or someone who has already reached the summit, this episode offers invaluable insights on how to build a life that goes beyond business achievements, focusing on relationships, contribution, and leaving a lasting legacy. Tune in to “Case Studies” to discover how Alex Bean is forging a new path and what it truly means to live a life of purpose after success.
110. Jon Adams: The Miracle That Saved Me After Losing Everything
01:24:54||Season 1, Ep. 110In this powerful episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jon Adams, a partner in a billion-dollar wealth management firm, for one of the most heartfelt and faith-filled conversations in the series. Jon opens up about growing up in his grandfather’s truck, learning grit and integrity on the family sod farm, and discovering entrepreneurship through pure initiative long before he built a career in finance.The heart of this conversation centers on unimaginable loss. At age 34, Jon’s wife, Janelle, passed away suddenly, leaving him to raise four young children alone. What follows is a story of grace and divine timing; of friends and family who showed up when he could not stand on his own, and of faith that deepened through tragedy. Jon shares sacred experiences that reshaped his understanding of God’s presence, the power of community, and the beauty of second chances when he later met and married singer-songwriter Callie Reed.This is an episode about faith in the dark, love that endures, and the quiet miracles that follow when you keep walking toward the light.00:00 | Meeting Jon & the Adams brothers02:31 | Farm-raised grit & the first land flip08:42 | Hustle play: Jazz floor seats → warm leads18:50 | Radical honesty in wealth management22:30 | Partners, roles, and why differences work23:04 | High-school best friends to marriage (Jenelle)26:29 | Early marriage, duplex, and the first job29:12 | Hospital shock: ITP diagnosis & teeter-totter care33:10 | The hardest call: intubation & final goodbyes44:04 | “I’m here to talk to Jon”: stake conference mercy56:04 | The song, Callie Reed, and a second chance59:45 | “Faith in His timing” (sometimes it means now)01:16:43 | Lessons on grief, God, growth, and becoming