The Sharpen Podcast

Hosted by Acumen Impact

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Hosted by the innovative growth community of Acumen, the Sharpen Podcast is a conversational platform dedicated to lifting up leadership stories, resources, and learning designed to sharpen, challenge, and inspire business leaders, owners, and CEOs.

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47 recent

June 10, 202633 min

Soul Care, Leadership Pressure, and Sustainable Rhythms

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Merle Mees of Soulcare Matters to talk about the hidden cost of leadership pressure, the warning signs of soul depletion, and the rhythms that help leaders recover clarity, rest, and wholeness.Merle shares his own story of burnout and explains why soul care is not just another responsibility. It is the work of tending to the inner life that shapes how leaders show up for their families, teams, organizations, and calling.Connect with Guest:Learn more about Soul Care Matters or connect with Merle on LinkedIn. Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

June 4, 202630 min

Why Family Business Succession Is About More Than the Business

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Jon Bachura, an Acumen Growth Catalyst in Wichita, to talk about generational leadership transitions, legacy, founder identity, and the future of family enterprise.Jon shares why successful transitions are not only about financial structure or choosing the next operator. They require leaders to think clearly about calling, family dynamics, outside talent, governance, and the deeper purpose behind the business.Connect with Jon Bachura and learn more about the teams he is building in Wichita here. Learn more about Acumen: https://acumenimpact.com

May 21, 202638 min

How Leaders Build Trust and Long-Term Impact Through Consistent Service

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Zack Nicholson, Executive Director at Minding the Gap, to talk about leadership, service, and what it takes to build trust in schools and communities over time.Zack shares his journey from entrepreneurship to ministry to nonprofit leadership, along with practical lessons on serving real needs, leading volunteers, and creating lasting impact through consistency and commitment.Learn more about Minding the Gap hereConnect with Zack Nicholson on LinkedIn

May 14, 202640 min

Building for What Lasts: Succession, Valuation, and Legacy

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Drew Hiss sits down with Duane Donner, founder and CEO of Founder Advisors, to talk about what it takes to build a company that is valuable, transferable, and aligned with a larger purpose. Duane shares how early failure, burnout, and a hard reset in both business and life shaped the way he rebuilt his career and eventually grew an M&A advisory firm focused on stewardship, trust, and long-term impact.Together, Drew and Duane unpack what CEOs and business owners need to understand about succession, deal readiness, valuation, private equity, and leadership depth. The conversation matters for leaders because it reframes transition planning as more than a financial event. It is also a leadership decision about reducing risk, preserving influence, and building something that can last beyond the founder.Learn more about Duane Donner and Founder Advisors hereConnect with Duane on LinkedInTake the Investment Grade AssessmentLearn more about Abide and Lead MinistryInterested in learning more about Acumen visit us here.

May 5, 202628 min

Trusted Advice: Strategy, Structure, and the Levers That Unlock Growth

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper sits down with Clint Overton, founder and managing partner of Boardroom Bullpen, for a conversation about sabbaticals, faith, entrepreneurship, and the role of the trusted advisor. Clint shares how a 21-year career in large organizations, followed by private equity, fractional COO work, and a season of reflection, shaped the way he now helps businesses grow.Dan and Clint also explore the practical side of leadership, including strategy, organizational structure, execution, and the levers business owners can pull to unlock growth. For CEOs and leaders, the episode offers a grounded perspective on building the right support around the business, identifying what gets in the way, and making smarter decisions about how growth actually happens.Learn more about Boardroom Bullpen or The Mercury CollectiveConnect with Clint on LinkedInListen to Call to The Bullpen Podcast

May 4, 202623 min

From Ministry to Market: Building Systems That Actually Serve People

In this episode of The Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Drew Lints, founder of Revflow Growth Partners, to talk about systems, AI, and how to scale a business without losing the human element.They break down common misconceptions about automation, where businesses waste time on manual work, and how to identify the right opportunities for AI. Drew shares his approach to building custom solutions, why one size fits all systems fall short, and how leaders can use process to create more capacity for people, not less.If you are trying to grow your business while staying focused on what matters most, this conversation will help you think more clearly about where to start.Connect with Drew:https://revflowpartners.ioLearn more about Acumen:https://acumenimpact.com

April 2, 2026Episode 4124 min

Relational Capital: Why Trust Still Matters in Business

In this episode of the Sharpen Podcast, Dan Cooper (CEO, Acumen) and Brian Lunt (St. Louis Growth Catalyst, Acumen) discuss relational capital—what it is, how it’s built, and why it still matters in business.As technology continues to increase speed and efficiency, relationships can become secondary. This conversation brings it back to the fundamentals: trust, consistency, and understanding people.They break down what builds trust, what damages it, and the simple habits that keep relationships active over time. The discussion also touches on how leaders shift from building their own success to helping others grow and how that impacts the strength of their network.If you lead a business or a team, this episode offers a practical look at how relationships still influence outcomes, even in a more automated world.

February 26, 2026Episode 4022 min

Risk-Conscious Leadership: Money, Storms & Smart Growth

In this episode of the Sharpen Podcast, Steve Van Diest sits down with Blaine Cheshire, Founder & CEO of Level 10 CFO, to talk about money, growth, and the financial decisions that can make or break a business.They unpack the common lies leaders believe about revenue, introduce the idea of the “Revenue Fairy,” and explain why CFOs aren’t risk-averse—they’re risk-conscious. Blaine also shares hard-earned lessons from walking through a personal health storm while leading a growing company, and why building a business that runs without you isn’t optional.If you're a CEO in the growth stage wondering whether your financial leadership matches your ambition, this episode delivers clarity, wisdom, and practical perspective.

September 25, 2024Episode 1227 min

Integrating Real Estate into Your Business Strategy

In this episode, host Dan Cooper and guest Mike Farag delve into the strategic integration of real estate into business operations. Mike is the owner of Fervor Marketing, a full-service marketing communications agency for Christian nonprofits. Mike shares his journey of diversifying his business portfolio by incorporating real estate, discussing the strategic benefits and challenges he faced along the way. From the inception of the idea to the creation of a purpose-built meeting space called the Bonhoeffer, Mike explains how owning real estate has provided new opportunities for client engagement and business growth. He also offers practical advice on navigating the complexities of commercial real estate, from cost segregation to environmental studies.

March 26, 2025Episode 2320 min

From Operator to Force Multiplier: An Intrapreneur’s Leadership Shift

Jeff Phillips, the Chief Lending Officer at Landmark National Bank and the Market President of Kansas City, shares his journey of becoming an intrapreneur within a banking organization, discovering the balance between working on the business versus in the business. Delve into Jeff's experiences and insights on leading a team, the transition from managing daily tasks to strategic planning, and how to cultivate a culture of learning and connection within a community-oriented financial institution. He reveals strategies for redefining personal success and prioritizing strategic thinking over routine tasks. Jeff and Dan also explore themes of mentorship, leadership, and fostering a supportive work environment driven by shared values and purpose. Tune in to uncover how faith and business intermingle and how you can transform your leadership style to become a force multiplier in your organization.