The DeCesare Group Podcast

Hosted by Jim DeCesare

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Episodes

117

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Are you interested in South Central Kentucky's latest economic development and business activities? Then, you will not want to miss The DeCesare Group Podcast hosted by Jim DeCesare, a Kentucky Association of Economic Development Hall of Fame member. The DeCesare Group Podcast is a companion to the SOKY Economic Development and Business newsletter. In each episode, we'll talk to individuals who know about South Central Kentucky's latest economic development and business activities. You'll hear from industry leaders, business owners, and other experts in the field as they share their insights and perspectives on the economic and business landscape.

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60 recent

August 17, 202627 min

Rob Clayton, Warren County Public Schools

A brand new school year has just started, and our guest is Rob Clayton, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools. https://www.warrencountyschools.org/ Clayton talks about the opening of the long awaited IMPACT Center and what it will mean to the students of Warren County. https://impactcenter.warrencountyschools.org/ He also shares what it’s like to lead the fourth largest – and arguably the most diverse – school district in Kentucky. He gets into how decisions are made regarding capital projects and how his team is carefully planning for even more growth as we get closer to 2050. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/

August 3, 202634 min

Jason Gumm, Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veteran’s Center

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, Jim DeCesare sits down with Jason Gumm, Administrator of the Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center. https://veterans.ky.gov/Veterans-Centers/Pages/Bowling-Green.aspx Gumm discusses the long-awaited opening of the state-of-the-art facility, which will provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care for 60 Kentucky veterans. Located on approximately 25 acres in the Bowling Green Intermodal Transpark, the 80,000-square-foot, single-story center represents a major investment in veteran care across the region. Drawing on nearly 30 years of nursing home management experience, Gumm shares what it means to lead the new veterans center, a role he describes as both an honor and a blessing. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/

July 20, 202632 min

Dylan Stanke, Easyr

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dylan Stanke, founder of Easyr, http://easyrjobs.com a verified job discovery platform for Louisville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and Lexington. This episode focuses on entrepreneurship, solving real-world problems, and how Dylan turned personal frustration into a platform that’s helping thousands navigate the job market with confidence. He also talks about one thing most people misunderstand about today’s job market—and what job seekers should be doing differently right now. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

July 6, 202633 min

Dr. Michelle Trawick, Chancellor SKYCTC

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Michelle Trawick, Chancellor of SKYCTC. https://southcentral.kctcs.edu/ This week’s guest just completed her first year as Chancellor of South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College. Dr. Michelle Trawick has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including nearly 20 years at WKU, her undergraduate alma mater. After earning awards for teaching, research, and student advising as a faculty member, Dr. Trawick moved into administration, serving at both WKU and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A first-generation college student from Logan County, Dr. Trawick understands firsthand the life-changing impact higher education can have on individuals, families, and communities through both technical training and academic opportunities. She talks about the growth happening at SKYCTC, what people misunderstand about community and technical colleges in 2026, and how AI is impacting higher education. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group, visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ , and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

June 22, 202631 min

Sam Terry, Kentucky Historian

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Historian Sam Terry. https://samterryskentucky.com/ As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, Sam Terry shares his thoughts on what Kentuckians should better understand about this state’s role in shaping the nation, which historical figure from Kentucky he believes deserves far more national recognition, and what patterns from the past are repeating themselves in America today. Terry is a historian, author, speaker, and the creator of a popular blog sharing Kentucky history. While serving as managing editor of his local newspaper, his syndicated weekly column, “My Kentucky,” evolved into “Sam Terry’s Kentucky,” a daily blog featuring a mini lesson in Kentucky history for each date on the calendar. Now eight years later, the blog serves up a daily dose of history to over 46,000 subscribers. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

June 8, 202630 min

Kelley Paul, Children's Author

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Kelley Paul, wife of U.S. Senator Rand Paul. As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, Kelly has written two children’s books that tell the story of America’s founding and revolutionary history. Good Night Little American and Good Night Young American came out on June 2nd and tell the story of America’s founding and revolutionary history in an engaging child-friendly adventure. https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510788145/good-night-little-american/ From the shores of Plymouth Rock to the signing of the Constitution, children will explore the pivotal moments and heroes that define the American spirt. Kelley, who wrote True and Constant Friends in 2015, and co-authored The Case against Socialism with Rand in 2023, talks about the difference in writing a children’s book and how she was able to simplify America’s founding story. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

May 25, 202634 min

John Gregory, Kentucky Center for Leadership

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with John Gregory, Executive Director at the Kentucky Center for Leadership. John has more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, dedicated to developing individuals, strengthening teams, and building cultures where employees can thrive. His expertise spans Human Resources, Training, Leadership Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Find out how you and your business can benefit from the exciting programs offered at the Kentucky Center for Leadership, located inside WKU’s Innovation Campus. More information can be found at www.KC4L.org . Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

May 11, 202632 min

Dr. Evelyn Thrasher, Gordon Ford College of Business

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Evelyn Thrasher, Dean of WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business. https://www.wku.edu/business/ In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, twelve WKU graduate programs landed among the best in the country—including five from the Gordon Ford College of Business. Dr. Thrasher breaks down the recognition and talks about the impact Amy and David Chandler Hall as well as the Living and Learning Communities is having on student success on the hill. She gets into the biggest gap between what students think they need to succeed in business and what matters once they graduate, what leadership really means in today’s business environment and how WKU is making sure students are prepared for how fast business is changing- technology, AI, remote work – all of it. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

April 27, 202631 min

John Harnage, Kentucky Thermal Institute

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with John Harnage, owner of Kentucky Thermal Institute. John is being recognized nationally this week after being named the 2026 Small Businessperson of the Year for Kentucky by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It’s one of the nation’s highest honors for small business leadership. Kentucky Thermal Institute is based at the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus in Bowling Green. John talks about the beginning of the institute dating back nearly twenty years and why thermography is now poised to be one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. You can find more information at www.kythermal.institute . Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

April 13, 202635 min

Alex Downing, Franklin Bank & Trust

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Alex Downing, President and CEO of Franklin Bank and Trust. https://www.fbtco.com/ Downing talks about his transition from accountant to leading the College Heights Foundation to leading Franklin Bank and Trust. He’s also has a lifetime of memories (and memorabilia) from WKU where his father served as president from 1969 until 1979. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .