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Next Level Leader

Next Level Leader

Hosted by Craig Pratt

BusinessSocietyCulture
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Episodes

51

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Host Craig Pratt is on a mission to highlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help others live on the next level.

Listen to episodes

51 recent
August 7, 2026Episode 5141 min

Episode 51: Holes Fore Hope - Abundance Above All

Craig is joined by Holes Fore Hope Board members, past scholars & club leaders as we take a trip down memory lane…Holes Fore Hope was officially launched in December of 2018. Since that time we've hosted 3 galas, 6 golf events, 7 scholarship breakfasts. In the last 7 years we awarded 200 educational scholarships while fulfilling 60 benevolence requests. This economic impact is approaching a $500k reinvested back into the game we all love and most importantly the incredible team members who make the clubs so special!    This episode will pull on your heart strings if you love the game of golf and helping others…2026 is a breakout year for the mission as we celebrate our largest scholarship class and our 3rd "Spirit of the Game " award winner Minneapolis Golf Club. This is another proof point that our "Abundance Above All" mindset is best served when investing in human capital!

January 13, 2026Episode 5054 min

Episode 50: Family, Friends and Fairways

Marty Lass, PGA Head Golf Professional — Edina Country Club • Ferris State University PGA Golf Management Graduate • Respected PGA Leader Marty Lass is a distinguished PGA Professional and seasoned leader in the golf industry, currently serving as the Head Golf Professional and Director of Golf at Edina Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, one of the region's premier private clubs. With a career spanning more than three decades at Edina Country Club, Marty has become a cornerstone of the club's golf culture, known for his commitment to player development, championship-level standards, and fostering a welcoming golf environment for members and guests alike.  A graduate of Ferris State University's PGA Golf Management Program, Marty earned his Bachelor of Science while completing the rigorous requirements for PGA of America membership — a foundation that has shaped his professional philosophy of blending strong business acumen with exceptional golf operations and instruction. He also served in the early 1980s as one of the first officers (Secretary/Treasurer) of the PGA Golf Management Alumni Association, indicating long-standing engagement with the PGA and support of future golf professionals.  Marty is recognized not only for his operational leadership but also for his contributions to the broader golf community. Among his honors, he received the Steve Weidner Award from the Minnesota PGA Section, a prestigious distinction celebrating individuals whose contributions to the game go "beyond normal day-to-day activities" and reflect exemplary service, leadership, and impact within the golf industry.  Throughout his career, Marty has been deeply involved in professional development, mentorship, and community engagement — helping grow the game at all levels and nurturing the next generation of PGA professionals. His legacy at Edina Country Club and within the Minnesota PGA remains influential, respected for its blend of competitive spirit, educational commitment, and genuine love for the game.

August 22, 2025Episode 4945 min

Episode 49: Goshen meets Mankato

Angie & Dan Bastian were looking to put aside some money for their kids' college fund when they started a small kettle corn business out of their garage.  Initially selling popcorn at outdoor events, including Minnesota Vikings games, the couple soon took their popcorn to Trader Joe's, Target, and Costco – gaining a crash course in how to operate a business along the way.   Angie retired from being a nurse practitioner and Dan from a history teacher and baseball coach to run their company full time.  And after years of commitment and sacrifice, the Bastian's sold their business Boom Chicka Pop in 2017 to Chicago-based Conagra Brands for $250 million. In this candid conversation, you will get to learn more about their childhood, what has shaped their beliefs, lessons learned about life and business…Both Angie & Dan have generous hearts and continue to share their time, talents and treasures helping others reach for the stars.

August 18, 2025Episode 4856 min

Episode 48: The Real Girls Guide to Midlife, Marketing, and Making It Happen Your Way

Angela Burk is an award-winning high-tech marketing leader, author, and the fierce voice behind The Real Girls Guide to Over 55. With three decades of experience scaling companies from scrappy pre-IPO startups to Fortune 500 powerhouses, she's built a reputation for strategic acumen, creative drive, and delivering results that actually move the needle. At Confluent, ServiceNow, NetApp, and beyond, she's led high-performance teams across corporate marketing, revenue operations, demand generation, and strategic communications - always with the courage to ask the questions no one else will. In midlife, Angela pivoted from the C-suite to consulting and storytelling, channeling her leadership chops into a mission: reclaiming the narrative for women navigating hot flashes, career shifts, hormone havoc, empty-nest chaos, long-distance love, reinvention after divorce, and identity redrawn post-55. Her Substack and forthcoming book blend gritty memoir with expert insight, creating a no-BS guide for women who refuse to shrink. Speaking to a generation that's held it all together - for kids, partners, and careers - Angela champions the unapologetic pursuit of a life directed on your own terms. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she splits her time between there and Australia. Mom to three boys and stepmom to four more, she's building a movement for women who want hot takes, true stories, and fearless advice - served with wit, grit, and zero apologies from those who've lived it.

May 12, 2025Episode 4742 min

Episode 47: Writing my story one chapter at a time

Beth Kieffer Leonard is a distinguished national leader in the accounting profession, recognized for her trailblazing role as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field.    In this episode, Beth emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices in both her professional and personal life. She believes in the power of leadership to impact people, clients, and communities positively. Her approach to leadership is centered on providing opportunities for others and giving back to the community. This is evident in her service to the University of MN, a co-founder of the  Minnesota chapter of the Women's Business Development Center, several leadership positions within the Jewish community, including past President and Campaign Chair for the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. She also serves on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

May 9, 2025Episode 4649 min

Episode 46: You Wouldn't Believe Me if I Told You (with Jay Delsing)

Born on October 17, 1960, Delsing grew up in the North County area of St. Louis. His father, Jim Delsing, was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for several teams, including the New York Yankees, from 1948 to 1960. Jay learned golf at the now-demolished North Shore Country Club near the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge. Delsing attended UCLA, where he played alongside future PGA Tour stars like Corey Pavin and Duffy Waldorf. He became a two-time All-American and ranks third in UCLA men's golf history with seven tournament victories. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in economics.  Turning professional in 1984, Delsing competed in nearly 700 PGA Tour events over 25 years. While he didn't secure a victory on the PGA Tour, he had two runner-up finishes and earned over $3.6 million in prize money. His best finishes were a tie for second at the 1993 New England Classic and the 1995 FedEx St. Jude Classic . Delsing also made significant achievements on the Nationwide Tour, winning twice, and set course records with rounds of 61 and 62 .  After retiring from competitive golf, Delsing transitioned into broadcasting. In 2014, Fox Sports added him to its broadcast team, where he contributed to coverage of major golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open .  Since 2019, Delsing has hosted Golf with Jay Delsing, a radio show and podcast airing on 101 ESPN in St. Louis. The show features interviews with prominent golfers and sports figures, offering insights into the game and its personalities . Delsing has been inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to golf and the community.  He is also deeply involved in youth golf initiatives. In 2005, he helped establish The First Tee of Greater St. Louis, a program aimed at introducing young people to golf and its core values. Through his Jay Delsing Golf platform, he offers corporate entertainment and hospitality experiences, further promoting the sport .

March 31, 2025Episode 4547 min

Episode 45: Fatherless No More

Tim Johnson is a former NFL Super Bowl champion, Sports Illustrated All-Pro, NCAA Football All-American, and Penn State national champion. Previously named National Faith-Based Leader of the Year by the John C. Maxwell Organization, he serves as senior pastor of Orlando World Outreach Church, president of the Orlando Serve Foundation, and founder of the Fatherless No More initiative. Tim travels the globe speaking to thousands in churches, pro athlete facilities, jails and prisons. Johnson is husband to Le'Chelle, and father to Christa, Kayla, Karrah and Shaun.

January 24, 2024Episode 4443 min

Episode 44: When life sends you a message that leads to your calling….

Matt Buresh is a fourth generation funeral director in a family business that began in Detroit, MI in 1897. He currently owns and operates six locations in Northeast Michigan as one of the oldest family owned funeral homes at 127 years.  This is his story about facing adversity at a young age and how it helped him to find his calling, define his character and build a foundation for how to care for others. A former athlete and medical student found that God would lead him to the family profession he now treats as a ministry.  The path evolved into foster care to continue his mission to give a life, share a life, change a life and save a life.

January 16, 2024Episode 4346 min

Episode 43: The Power of Love

When you are dealt with the extraordinary in life, the people in your corner truly do matter.    Nick Oprish tells his story from growing up in Bloomington, MN to a degree at the University of St Thomas, meeting his wife Melissa and being blessed with 3 beautiful kids and a career in corporate America.     In 2019 his journey took an unexpected turn that made him double down on his determination and resilience not only to survive but to make the most out of the next chapter of his life.     This is his story of life, love, gratefulness, hope and resilience of the mind and body.

August 31, 2023Episode 4255 min

Episode 42: Two Hands on the Broom

From bricklayer to the CEO of a thriving National IT Consulting firm, Richard shares his lessons learned through his Forbes published book, "Relationship Equity." His no nonsense, common sense approach to life will undoubtedly inspire you to challenge the way you think.

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