Episodes

  • CEOs You Should Know - Yea Media Group & The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show

    CEOs You Should Know - Yea Media Group & The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show
    May 27 2026
    What does it take to stay at the top of radio for over three decades—and build a media company around it?

    In this episode of CEOs You Should Know Dallas, iHeartMedia Dallas Market President Chris Long sits down with the voices behind The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show: Kellie Rasberry, Big Al Mack, and JC Chavez—along with YEA Networks CEO George Laughlin, for a candid and entertaining conversation about longevity, leadership, and legacy in media.

    From sneaking into first concerts and landing unexpected breaks in radio to building one of the most recognizable morning shows in the country, the team shares the unconventional journeys that brought them together—and what has kept them connected for more than 20 years. They reflect on the influence of Kidd Kraddick, whose commitment to authenticity and storytelling continues to shape the show and its culture today.

    The conversation explores how the media landscape has evolved, from traditional radio to podcasts, social platforms, and viral fame, and what it really takes to build a lasting connection with an audience in an era of instant visibility. George offers insight into scaling YEA Media Group, balancing creative talent with business discipline, and creating a culture where people—and personalities—can thrive.

    At the heart of the discussion is Kidd’s Kids, the beloved charity that has become the show’s defining legacy, providing life-changing experiences for families with children facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

    Along the way, the group shares stories of early career risks, lessons in staying relevant, and why authenticity, adaptability, and strong relationships remain the foundation of their success.

    Guests: Kellie Rasberry, Big Al Mack, JC Chavez (The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show), and George Laughlin (CEO, YEA Networks)



    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    53 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Ben Spell - Good Ranchers

    CEOs You Should Know - Ben Spell - Good Ranchers
    May 20 2026
    What happens when a worship leader with no business background decides to challenge an entire industry?

    In this episode of CEOs You Should Know Dallas, iHeartMedia Dallas Market President Chris Long sits down with Ben Spell, Founder and CEO of Good Ranchers, to explore his unlikely journey from church music ministry to building one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer meat companies in the country.

    Ben shares how a moment in a church parking lot sparked a deeper calling to create something meaningful, leading him to launch a business with no formal plan, no industry experience, and a strong commitment to integrity. What began as a side hustle selling meat out of a truck quickly evolved into a mission-driven company focused on transparency, American-sourced products, and customer trust.

    The conversation dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, including navigating rapid growth, embracing imperfection, and building a company culture rooted in purpose. Ben also reflects on the challenges of scaling during COVID-19, transitioning to e-commerce, and leading a team while growing a young family alongside the business.

    Along the way, he shares insights on hiring for heart over resume, recognizing opportunity in uncertainty, and why giving back remains central to the company’s mission.

    Guest: Ben Spell, Founder and CEO, Good Ranchers
    Website: www.GoodRanchers.com


    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    46 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Shani Raviv - SportsPredict.com

    CEOs You Should Know - Shani Raviv - SportsPredict.com
    May 14 2026
    What if sports predictions were not about betting, but about skill?

    In this episode of CEOs You Should Know Dallas, iHeartMedia Dallas Market President Chris Long sits down with Shani Raviv, Founder and CEO of SportsPredict.com, to explore how she is building a new category at the intersection of sports, data, and competition.

    Shani shares her unconventional path, from growing up in Israel to serving nearly eight years in an elite Israeli intelligence unit, where she developed her expertise in data and decision-making under pressure. After earning a law degree and MBA, she went on to launch a tech startup grounded in those same principles. She also reflects on early influences, including tagging along to business meetings as a child and attending her first concert, the Backstreet Boys.

    The conversation dives into the vision behind SportsPredict, a free to play platform where fans compete by making sports predictions and proving their ability to read data, not risk money. Shani explains why predictive thinking is becoming a critical skill in an AI driven world and how her platform could uncover talent far beyond sports.

    Along the way, she shares insights on building a global team, leading with openness, moving fast without chasing perfection, and staying connected to users while scaling a business.

    Guest: Shani Raviv, Founder and CEO, SportsPredict
    Website: www.SportsPredict.com

    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    52 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Enrique Ramirez - Buff City Soap

    CEOs You Should Know - Enrique Ramirez - Buff City Soap
    May 7 2026
    What does it take to turn a small, handmade soap shop into one of the fastest‑growing retail franchises in the country?

    In this episode of CEOs You Should Know Dallas, iHeartMedia Dallas Market President Chris Long sits down with Enrique Ramirez, CEO of Buff City Soap, to explore the rapid rise of a brand built on fresh ingredients, customer experience, and scalable growth.

    Enrique shares how Buff City Soap evolved from a niche concept into a nationwide franchise, while staying true to its roots of handcrafted, plant‑based products made daily in-store. He breaks down the realities of hyper-growth, what it takes to build and support a successful franchise system, and how strong culture and operational discipline drive long-term success.

    Along the way, the conversation covers leadership lessons, navigating change, retail innovation, and why creating a memorable in-store experience is more important than ever. Enrique also gives insight into the future of Buff City Soap and the strategy behind its continued expansion.

    Guest: Enrique Ramirez, CEO, Buff City Soap
    Website: www.BuffCitySoap.com


    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    46 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Mark Faber - Texas Motor Speedway

    CEOs You Should Know - Mark Faber - Texas Motor Speedway
    Apr 29 2026
    What does it take to go from cold‑calling with a typewriter to leading some of the most recognizable venues in sports?

    In this episode of CEOs You Should Know Dallas, iHeartMedia Dallas Market President Chris Long sits down with Mark Faber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Texas Motor Speedway, to explore a career built on persistence, mentorship, and navigating change at the highest levels of sports and entertainment.

    Mark shares his path from Kansas City to an Orange Bowl internship, a front‑row seat to the legendary Herschel Walker trade with the Dallas Cowboys, and leadership roles helping develop major venues including Kansas City’s Sprint Center and Las Vegas’s T‑Mobile Arena. Now back in North Texas, he breaks down what it takes to lead a legacy facility through transformation, grow new audiences, and build a culture grounded in respect and accountability.

    Along the way, the conversation touches on musical influences, formative mentors, lessons from selling through losing seasons, and why long‑term success is built in the “cracks and gray spaces” long before the wins show up.

    Guest: Mark Faber, CEO, Texas Motor Speedway
    Website: www.TexasMotorSpeedway.com


    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    48 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Jack Griffin & Fred Gans - Garages of America

    CEOs You Should Know - Jack Griffin & Fred Gans - Garages of America
    Apr 22 2026
    What happens when a real estate developer who built 75 storage facilities teams up with a former race car driver who once competed against A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti? You get Garages of America, one of the most unique and fastest‑growing concepts in the automotive enthusiast world.

    In this episode, iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth Region President Chris Long sits down with co‑founders and co‑CEOs Jack Griffin and Fred Gans for a conversation that moves from suburban office buildings in the 1970s to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and ultimately to building a thriving business around one simple truth: hobbies are social.

    Jack shares how a post‑career leap into professional racing shaped his approach to risk, community, and the car culture he knows inside and out. Fred talks about surviving the S&L crisis, building dozens of storage facilities across the country, and why replicable design and disciplined development became the backbone of their partnership.

    Together, they break down how Garages of America grew from an idea discovered in Denver into a multi‑market business built on community, camaraderie, and the booming collector‑car lifestyle. They discuss navigating COVID‑era construction delays, learning to manage outsourced teams, and why their buyers often regret only one thing: not getting a bigger garage.

    Plus: the first concerts that set the tone for two very different career paths (Kansas for Fred, The Lettermen for Jack), the surprising social science behind car collecting, and what it means to launch a company at 69 and still be improving it every day.

    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    45 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Peter Simek - Earth X

    CEOs You Should Know - Peter Simek - Earth X
    Apr 17 2026
    Peter Simek's path to leading one of the world's premier environmental platforms started with poetry, couch surfing in Rome, and tracking down an ecstasy kingpin on a mountaintop in Georgia.

    In this episode, iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth Region President Chris Long sits down with the CEO of EarthX for a conversation that moves from investigative journalism to traveling the world with a giant dinosaur puppet for the United Nations to reimagining what an environmental organization can be from its home base in the heart of Texas oil and gas country.

    Peter shares how nearly two decades as a journalist taught him the leadership skill he leans on most: shutting up and listening. He talks about why founder Trammel Crow says you can't preach to the choir if there's no choir, how EarthX evolved from a 120,000-person Earth Day street festival at Fair Park into a global convening platform, and what it means to lead a fifteen-year-old startup through its next chapter, including a new policy institute focused on nuclear energy and an urban biodiversity plan for Dallas.

    Plus: a first concert that might crack the all-time rankings (Page and Plant at Madison Square Garden), and the nineteenth-century botanist story he's told enough people about that now he has to finish writing it.


    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
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    38 mins
  • CEOs You Should Know - Rick Welts - Dallas Mavericks

    CEOs You Should Know - Rick Welts - Dallas Mavericks
    Apr 9 2026
    Rick Welts has one of the most remarkable careers in professional sports history, and it began at age 16 as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics. In this episode, iHeartMedia Dallas–Fort Worth Region President Chris Long sits down with the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks for a wide-ranging conversation spanning five decades of basketball, business, and leadership.

    Rick shares what it was like to be the 35th employee at the NBA league office in 1982, making cold calls no one returned, and helping transform a struggling league into a global marketing powerhouse.

    He takes us inside the creation of NBA All-Star Weekend, the 1984 Slam Dunk Contest that changed everything, and the challenge of marketing the 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team to the world. From leading the Phoenix Suns through one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NBA history, to helping build the Golden State Warriors dynasty and opening Chase Center, to answering the call to come to Dallas, Rick breaks down what it really takes to rebuild culture, earn a fanbase’s trust, and build something that lasts.

    Plus, Rick shares where he was sitting during the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, what Cooper Flagg means for the future of the Mavericks, and why a new arena in Dallas is more than a building. It is a district designed to create lifetime memories.

    A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. A pioneer. And now, a Maverick.

    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond. Hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas–Fort Worth. Follow, rate, and subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on.


    CEOs You Should Know DFW features candid conversations with leaders shaping business in North Texas and beyond, hosted by Chris Long, Region President of iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth. Follow, Rate, and Subscribe on the podcast platform you are listening on!
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins