The Midnight Founders Podcast

Hosted by The Midnight Founders

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Episodes

196

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The Midnight Founders Podcast is focused on telling the behind-the-scenes stories for what makes a successful entrepreneur.

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60 recent

September 10, 2026Episode 20142 min

Crystalee Beck - Comma Copywriters & The Mama Ladder

In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Crystalee Beck, founder and CEO of Comma Copywriters and founder of The Mama Ladder. After being laid off while pregnant, Crystalee decided to stop climbing the traditional corporate ladder and build her own—one that allowed her to pursue ambitious business goals without sacrificing her family. Since launching Comma in 2016, Crystalee has grown it into a million-dollar, award-winning content agency while building a team around a “life-first” philosophy. She also created The Mama Ladder to help mothers build businesses and create greater freedom with their time and money. We talk about starting a business from scratch, scaling a service-based company, building a team you can trust, knowing when to let go, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and why success doesn't have to come at the expense of the life you actually want. Crystalee's story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest turning points in entrepreneurship come from the moments you never planned for.

September 3, 2026Episode 2001 hr 3 min

Bradden Blair & Henry O’Connell - Open Technology Ventures & Canary Speech

Bradden Blair & Henry O’Connell | Midnight Founders Podcast What does it take to turn breakthrough technology into a real company? In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Bradden Blair, who is involved with Open Technology Ventures, and Henry O’Connell, co-founder and CEO of Canary Speech, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, emerging technology, and building companies around ideas that can change the world. We dive into what it takes to identify promising technology, bring the right people together, commercialize new ideas, and navigate the uncertainty that comes with building something from the ground up. Bradden and Henry share their experiences building in the world of emerging technology, the lessons they've learned along the way, and what separates an interesting idea from a company capable of creating real impact. Two founders. Two perspectives. One conversation about what it really takes to build.

August 27, 2026Episode 19944 min

Nate Hughes - Zift

In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Nate Hughes, co-founder and CRO of Zift, to hear the story behind building a company in the fast-moving world of payments and financial technology. Nate shares his journey as an entrepreneur, the lessons he’s learned from years in the payments industry, and what it really takes to build, grow, and lead a company. We dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and the mindset required to keep pushing forward when things don’t go according to plan. Whether you're building a company, thinking about starting one, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes of a growing business, Nate’s story offers plenty of insight and inspiration. Welcome to Midnight Founders.

August 20, 2026Episode 19841 min

Peter Fife - Residia AI

Peter Fife, founder of Residia, joins the Midnight Founders Podcast to talk about building technology that solves the everyday headaches of owning and managing rental properties. In this episode, Peter shares the journey behind Residia and how the company is using AI to simplify things like property inspections, maintenance coordination, rent collection, and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with being a landlord. We dive into what it takes to identify a real problem, turn it into a business, build a product from the ground up, and navigate the uncertainty that comes with launching a startup. Peter also shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and his vision for how technology can make real estate ownership simpler. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, real estate, AI, or building a company around solving real problems, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

August 13, 2026Episode 19738 min

Eric Dahl - Athlete5

On this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Eric Dahl, founder of Athlete5, a platform built to help elite athletes navigate one of the biggest transitions of their lives: what comes after sports. Eric shares how his experience across business, leadership, marketing, and athletics led him to create Athlete5 and why so many athletes struggle with identity, purpose, and direction when their playing days come to an end. We dive into the lessons that translate from sports into business, finding purpose beyond competition, building a new identity, and creating a life that’s successful both professionally and personally. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply navigating a new chapter in life, this conversation is all about using what you've learned in the past to build what comes next.

August 7, 2026Episode 19639 min

Brady Jensen - Summit Construction

In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Brady Jensen, Founder and CEO of Summit Construction. Brady shares his journey from getting started in construction to building a company that has completed more than 200 home projects across Utah County. We talk about entrepreneurship, navigating the ups and downs of the construction industry, building a reputation around integrity and transparency, and what it takes to create a business that lasts. Brady also shares lessons he’s learned from over 18 years in the industry and the importance of putting relationships at the center of business. If you’re building a company, leading a team, or looking to learn from an experienced entrepreneur, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

July 30, 2026Episode 19539 min

Jennifer Yeo - Presidio Real Estate

Jennifer Yeo has built more than a real estate company—she's built a brand rooted in leadership, resilience, and raising the standard. As the founder and CEO of Presidio Real Estate, she has grown one of Utah's largest brokerages while navigating market crashes, entrepreneurship, and even the spotlight of reality television. In this episode of Midnight Founders, Jennifer shares the story behind building Presidio from the ground up, the leadership principles that helped her scale a company with hundreds of agents, and why integrity has remained at the center of every decision. We also dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, taking calculated risks, building a lasting culture, and what it really takes to lead when the pressure is on. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone looking to build something meaningful, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom on growth, resilience, and creating a legacy that lasts.

July 23, 2026Episode 19440 min

David Anderson - SALT.

What happens when decades of experience in the emergency room shape the future of preventative wellness? This week on Midnight Founders, we sit down with Dr. David K. Anderson, Chief Medical Officer at SALT. Hydration & Wellness. After more than 30 years as an emergency physician, Dr. Anderson has seen healthcare at its most critical—and now he's helping shift the conversation from treating illness to proactively improving health through accessible, patient-centered wellness. In this conversation, we dive into the evolution of modern healthcare, the science behind IV therapy and preventative wellness, what it takes to build trust in a rapidly growing industry, and how medical leadership and entrepreneurship can work together to improve lives. Dr. Anderson also shares lessons from decades in emergency medicine, the importance of rigorous medical standards, and why the future of healthcare is moving beyond the walls of the hospital. Whether you're interested in healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, or living a healthier life, this episode is packed with practical insights from a physician who has spent his career on the front lines of medicine.

July 16, 2026Episode 19343 min

Jason Christensen - Blue Unicorn

In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Jason Christensen, co-founder of Blue Unicorn, to explore what it really takes to build a product people can't stop talking about. Jason shares his journey from building and exiting a successful business to launching Blue Unicorn alongside Dr. Luke Tolley and creating a protein bar that challenges everything consumers expect from healthy food. We dive into the realities of bringing a physical product to market, earning shelf space, building a brand from the ground up, and balancing growth with purpose. Blue Unicorn's plant-based, allergen-friendly protein bars are manufactured in Utah and have quickly gained traction by focusing on taste just as much as nutrition. Whether you're launching your first startup, building a consumer brand, or looking for practical lessons from someone who's been through multiple entrepreneurial journeys, this conversation is packed with insights on persistence, product-market fit, leadership, and creating something people genuinely love. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and building the "unicorn" product everyone says can't exist.

July 13, 2026Episode 19239 min

Thomas Wilkinson - Cove

What happens when personal pain becomes the driving force behind a company that's changing lives? In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Thomas Wilkinson, founder and CEO of Cove, a company pioneering non-invasive technology designed to help people improve focus, reduce stress, and support mental wellness. Thomas shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped his mission—from losing his brother to addiction to overcoming his own struggles with anxiety—and how those moments inspired him to build a business focused on restoring hope through innovation. We dive into what it takes to build a mission-driven startup, the challenges of bringing breakthrough technology to market, balancing purpose with growth, and why the best companies solve problems their founders have lived firsthand. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or searching for purpose in your work, this conversation is packed with powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and creating meaningful impact.