CASE STUDIES

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with James Clarke - founder of Clearlink and managing partner at Clarke Capital - for an intimate look into the hard-won lessons behind a life of entrepreneurship, stewardship, and service. From his roots as a farm kid in Rexburg, Idaho to helming billion-dollar exits, James opens up about the foundational values instilled in him by family, mentors, and faith. He shares what it really means to lead with “labor and honor,” the ethos he now passes on to his children. Through raw reflections on early failures, pivotal pivots, and defining moments - including a highly publicized company controversy - James offers powerful insights on integrity, resilience, and staying the course. Casey and James explore themes of earned success, navigating public scrutiny, the difference between operators and investors, and why meaningful relationships matter more than ever in business. This is a thoughtful and inspiring episode for anyone building something that matters.Connect with Us:📸 Instagram: case.studies.podcast🎥 YouTube: Case Studies with Casey Baugh🌐 Website: www.casestudiespod.com

In this highlight episode of Case Studies, we revisit powerful moments from Casey’s conversation with Sam Taggart; top-performing door-to-door salesman, founder of The D2D Experts, and a driving force behind redefining leadership and self-investment in the sales world. From painting curbs as a teenager to becoming the number one rep out of 4,000 at Vivint, Sam’s journey is a masterclass in grit, vision, and personal conviction. But this episode goes far beyond sales techniques—it dives into the deeper questions of fulfillment, identity, and purpose. Sam shares how chasing trophies eventually led to a more meaningful mission: uplifting an industry, building a values-driven community, and teaching others to believe in themselves through action and ownership. Whether he’s talking about investing in coaching, navigating spiritual shifts, or leading with abundance, Sam challenges listeners to trust their intuition, invest in their growth, and lead with heart. These highlights are packed with insight for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone chasing excellence while staying grounded in what truly matters.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Casey Baugh speaks with Emily McCormick, founder of the Policy Project, about how personal adversity and unwavering purpose shaped her journey.Emily opens up about growing up caring for her sick mother, losing her at 19, building and exiting a successful company, and finding her calling in policy and community work. Together they discuss identity, faith, motherhood, leadership, and what it takes to transform hardship into lasting impact.This conversation is a powerful reminder to live authentically, embrace discomfort, and pursue what you’re truly called to do.Chapters:00:00 | Introduction and Friendship00:50 | The Power of Supportive Communities01:49 | Raw and Real Conversations04:02 | What Emily is Doing Today: The Policy Project04:56 | How Childhood Shaped Her Mission06:33 | Living with a Chronically Ill Mother08:45 | Her Father’s Example of Love and Loyalty13:07 | Hardship as a Gift and a Teacher14:33 | The Role of Community in Her Life16:10 | Her Siblings and How They Coped19:16 | The Foundation That Saved Her Family20:10 | College Years and Finding Independence22:43 | Choosing Journalism and Study Abroad25:32 | The Last Moments with Her Mother in France27:17 | Processing Loss and Feeling Alone32:09 | Redefining Herself After Her Mother’s Death34:05 | Identity and Core Beliefs36:34 | Discovering Her Strengths and Values39:08 | Embracing the Role of a Matriarch42:15 | Leadership, Learning, and Following Good44:02 | Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership45:26 | Meeting Adam and Building a Life Together46:54 | Graduate School and Expanding Her Perspective49:51 | Entrepreneurship and Shabby Apple52:36 | A Health Crisis That Changed Everything54:46 | Financial Comfort, Identity Shifts, and New Challenges59:43 | From Survival Mode to Answering Her Calling01:00:02 | Restlessness and the Search for Purpose01:03:02 | The Birth of the Policy Project01:05:56 | Why Policy is the Most Scalable Tool for Change01:07:03 | What Emily is Most Grateful For

In this highlight episode of Case Studies, we revisit key moments from Casey’s conversation with Jeremy Guthrie; a 13-year MLB veteran, World Series pitcher, and mission president, for an unforgettable look at resilience, faith, and what it really means to define success on your own terms.Jeremy traces his path from a high school athlete in Oregon to battling the odds at Stanford and making it to the majors, and how setbacks, including getting shelled in AAA, being booed off the mound in Colorado, and an abrupt end with the Nationals, tested everything he believed about himself.Throughout it all, Jeremy’s story reveals a powerful commitment to intention, gratitude, and grounded faith. From pitching in Game 7 of the World Series to running a sneaker business and mentoring hundreds of missionaries, Jeremy shows why purpose goes far beyond a scoreboard.Listeners will come away inspired by his philosophy: that your value isn’t measured by titles, salaries, or applause, but by doing your best, living deliberately, and refusing to let failures define you.

In this live Case Studies event, Casey Baugh sits down with Jeff Kearl—entrepreneur, investor, and brand builder behind Skullcandy and Stance—to unpack the foundational principles of long-term business success. From early mentorship to building culture-first companies, Jeff shares the pivotal moments and hard-won lessons that shaped his journey.Jeff dives into the power of believing in young talent, the pain of early failure during the dot-com crash, and why he swore never to build a business dependent on outside capital again. He shares frameworks for hiring based on cultural alignment, building leadership without ego, and how customer conviction drives real investment decisions. With personal stories, investment insights, and startup war stories, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, intentionality, and brand-building.Chapters:00:00 | Opening & Setting the Stage00:45 | Early Days at Covey Leadership Center02:30 | Lessons from Early Mentors05:15 | Founding Freeport & The Dot-Com Crash08:00 | Building Culture as a Differentiator10:30 | Brand Strength Starts Inside13:00 | From Operator to Venture Capitalist15:00 | Building LogoWorks & Getting Acquired by HP17:45 | The Skullcandy Bet & Power of Counter Positioning20:30 | Pelion Capital & Investing in Digital Scarecrows23:00 | Frameworks for Long-Term Leadership26:00 | Building Stance and Redefining Culture31:00 | Operating Without Ego and Hiring Right37:00 | Fundraising and Bootstrapping Philosophy42:00 | Building Boards and Governance the Right Way48:00 | Investing with Conviction, Not Consensus54:00 | Identifying the Next Big Consumer Trends01:00:00 | Lessons from Failures and Personal Growth01:07:00 | What Makes a Founder Exceptional01:14:00 | Personal Operating System and Decision Frameworks01:21:00 | Jeff’s Advice for Young Builders and Investors01:30:00 | Final Reflections and Jeff’s Legacy

In this shortened highlight episode of Case Studies, we’re revisiting some of the highlights from our conversation with Mark Pope; former basketball head coach at BYU - through a powerful conversation on resilience, reinvention, and the true meaning of growth. From humble beginnings in New York to the storied halls of Kentucky basketball, Mark shares how pivotal mentors, relentless work, and a grounded faith shaped his journey.He reflects on hard-won lessons, from being cut by basketball legends to finding his place on championship teams, and why a willingness to fail became his superpower. Mark’s philosophy of prioritizing “becoming” over mere achievement offers a timely challenge for leaders seeking meaningful impact. The episode explores the power of starting at the bottom, the courage to change paths, and how faith provided an unshakable foundation in the face of rejection and reinvention.Listeners will come away inspired by Mark’s unwavering belief in grit, grace, and the freedom to risk it all, knowing that every setback can seed a new beginning.

Unlocking 10X Growth: Why Less Is MoreIn this solo episode, Casey Baugh dives deep into the groundbreaking principles from 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy. Through personal stories and leadership insights, Casey redefines what it means to scale—by subtracting, not adding.Discover how eliminating distractions, elevating your identity, and aligning with visionary mentors can be the true multipliers for exponential success. Whether you’re a founder, operator, or lifelong learner, this episode challenges you to think bigger, act bolder, and aim for impact.Chapters:00:00 – 01:26 | Why 10X Isn’t About More WorkSubtraction, not addition, fuels exponential growthGreat leaders focus on opportunities, not problems01:26 – 03:32 | Leading with Your Future SelfYour past identity can limit your future potentialVisionary leadership begins with self-transformation03:32 – 07:33 | Visionary Thinking: Lessons from Musk & JobsElon Musk’s $25T dream: RoboTaxis & automationWhy visionary beliefs reshape companies07:33 – 10:13 | Surround Yourself with the Right PeopleMentorship from Todd Pedersen, Brian Murphy, and othersThe right relationships can 10X your belief and output10:13 – 13:35 | Constraints Create Clarity & ActionThe founding of Sandlot & Breeze Airways under pressureDeadlines and clear limits sharpen performance13:35 – 14:05 | Final Challenge: Dream Bigger in 2025Resourcefulness beats resourcesSet goals that force elevation, not comfort

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Nate Randle, CEO of Gabb and former executive at Nike, Vivint, Qualtrics, and the Utah Jazz, to unpack a lifetime of lessons in resilience, leadership, and personal growth. From navigating childhood adversity to steering major brands through crisis, Nate shares how his experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and deepened his commitment to supporting others. They discuss his journey from Nike Golf to running a high-growth company, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the power of relationships in business. Nate also opens up about overcoming personal hardships, including a powerful story of forgiveness that changed his life. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone looking to lead with impact—both in business and in life.Connect with Us:📸 Instagram: case.studies.podcast🎥 YouTube: Case Studies with Casey Baugh🌐 Website: www.casestudiespod.com

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Justin Juntunen - founder of Cedar and Stone Sauna - to explore why the ancient practice of sauna bathing is finding new life in the heart of modern wellness. What starts as a conversation about custom craftsmanship and cardiovascular benefits quickly unfolds into something deeper: a dialogue on slowing down, creating meaning, and pursuing a business with soul.Justin shares his journey from building saunas with his grandfather in Minnesota to leading a company that crafts world-class sauna experiences, from private homes to luxury resorts. More than just heat and steam, his mission is about reconnecting people to their bodies, their breath, and each other. Together, they unpack the science, cultural traditions, and spiritual rituals behind the sauna movement, and why it's resonating with high performers and families alike.From dopamine to discipline, cold plunges to community, this is a powerful conversation on how health practices can become life practices—and why excellence is always handcrafted.Connect with Us:📸 Instagram: case.studies.podcast🎥 YouTube: Case Studies with Casey Baugh🌐 Website: www.casestudiespod.comFollow Justin Juntunen & Cedar and Stone:🌲 Website: www.cedarandstonesauna.com📸 Instagram: @cedarandstone_sauna00:00 – 00:45 | Welcome & Guest Introduction00:45 – 02:30 | Origins of a Sauna Movement02:30 – 05:15 | Daily Rituals & Transformative Benefits05:15 – 08:50 | Science Behind Heat & Cold Exposure08:50 – 12:26 | Resilience, Recovery & Healthspan12:26 – 15:29 | Generational Wisdom & Longevity15:29 – 18:56 | A Multi-Sensory Human Experience18:56 – 22:55 | Kids, Connection & Unexpected Joy22:55 – 28:40 | The Soul of a Business28:40 – 33:34 | From Dream to Reality33:34 – 36:23 | Building with Purpose & Passion36:23 – 41:25 | Asking Bigger Questions41:25 – 45:19 | Craftsmanship & Culture Collide45:19 – 49:57 | Rituals, Rest & Resetting in 202549:57 – 54:08 | Practicing What You Preach54:08 – 59:03 | Long-Term Vision for Life & Business59:03 – 01:04:23 | Longevity, Happiness & Health for All Ages01:04:23 – 01:06:05 | Closing Thoughts & Future Vision