In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Simplifying Beauty founder Kimberly Beckley, a lash artist, salon owner, and soon-to-be academy director with 20 years of beauty industry experience. Kimberly isn’t your typical beauty professional: she’s driven by the idea that real success comes from running a human-focused, sustainable business—not just chasing trends or hustling 24/7. Kimberly opens up about:

 * Her own journey from corporate environments to entrepreneurship, seeking a healthy work-life balance for herself and her staff.
 * The hard truth about the 37% annual attrition rate in cosmetology, fueled by beauty schools that fail to teach real business fundamentals.
 * Why she believes enhancing someone’s natural beauty is about far more than aesthetics; it’s a confidence boost that can ripple through every area of a client’s life.
 * The parallels between beauty-school promises and the broader higher-ed “sell”—and how a lack of practical training can leave people saddled with debt or a failing business.
 * How her new academy will offer not just technical skill-building but also the strategies you need for running a profitable business while maintaining boundaries and sanity.

If you’ve ever been curious about how a heart-driven entrepreneur can rewrite the script for future generations—this conversation is for you.

Topics Explored:

 1. From Corporate Burnout to Lash Artist - How Kimberly transitioned from a stifling 9-to-5 life into cosmetology—and why she wanted more autonomy for family and self-fulfillment.
 2. Why Beauty Schools Fail Aspiring Entrepreneurs - The reality behind beauty programs: great at teaching state-board skills, terrible at teaching business fundamentals.
 3. Building Confidence vs. Selling Trends - Kimberly explains why she’s big on “there she is again” moments—helping women recognize their authentic selves.
 4. Cutting Through the Hustle-and-Grind Myth - Strategies Kimberly uses (like 90-day reset periods) to avoid burnout, stay profitable, and set boundaries, proving you can love your work without sacrificing your life.
 5. Parallels to Broader Education - How the “bill of goods” about limitless earnings in beauty school mirrors the promises some traditional universities make—without giving students the “blueprint” for actual success.

Links:

 * Simplifying Beauty (Salon Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/simplifyingbeauty_salon/
 * Email Kimberly: kimberlybeckley@simplifyingbeauty.com
 * Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-beckley/
 * The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: https://amzn.to/42qGemI
 * Traction by Gino Wickman: https://amzn.to/426FxzX

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

25–Kimberly Beckley: Rethinking Beauty School Dreams

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum chats with Ted Wright, the unstoppable force behind the word-of-mouth marketing agency Fizz. Whether you’ve sipped on a Pabst Blue Ribbon after hearing it was suddenly “cool,” tried chocolate milk as your new post-gym recovery hack, or embraced Intel’s early dual-core chip for gaming, there’s a good chance Ted’s work was behind it. Ted insists that the most human brand wins, so his focus is on finding the right story—one that’s authentic, interesting, and relevant—then allowing everyday advocates to share it.

Topics Explored:

 1. Why Story Matters More Than Ever - Why no amount of paid ads can replace a friend’s recommendation and how 8 in 10 Americans distrust brand statements.
 2. A.I. and Word of Mouth - Ted’s take on how new technology can boost but never replace genuine human conversation.
 3. Backstory of Big Successes - How PBR broke into the hipster scene and chocolate milk became the surprise champion for recovery drinks—all through word-of-mouth.
 4. Math + Art = Great Marketing - According to Ted, marketing starts with data but culminates in creative storytelling that triggers real conversations.
 5. Advocates vs. Influencers - Understanding the difference between intrinsically motivated brand loyalists and pay-to-play online personalities, and how each shapes your brand’s future.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain brands become overnight sensations while others burn millions on ads with little return, Ted’s stories and insights will reshape how you view marketing’s real engine—conversations that spread person to person.

Links:

 * Ted Wright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-wright-3266b73/
 * Fizz (Ted’s Agency): https://fizzcorp.com [https://fizzcorp.com/]
 * Ted’s book: https://amzn.to/4lensrk
 * Ted’s Story-Target-Goal triangle: https://fizzcorp.com/strategy/
 * June Wedd at American Dairy Association Mideast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/june-wedd-0193b29/
 * Neal Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealstewart/
 * No Logo by Naomi Klein: https://amzn.to/3DQGIu0
 * Chris Brandt at Chipotle Mexican Grill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brandt-90b7636/
 * Chris Ullman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisullman/
 * Audacious by Mark Schaefer: https://amzn.to/3XzF6vf
 * Billy Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billymitchell1/
 * Sarah Neely: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmeredithneely/

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

24–Ted Wright – The Timeless Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Jeremy Haselwood—a dynamic marketer, speaker, and two-time author who once poured his heart into making it big in the music industry. Reflecting on experiences from rap battles to marketing consulting for Fortune 500 clients, Jeremy shares how he discovered his “why,” found balance after years of full-throttle hustle, and now helps organizations plan and execute with true purpose.

Topics Explored:

 1. Rap Hustle to Marketing Muscle: Discover how sleepless nights, on-stage setbacks, and raw ambition in Jeremy’s 20s sharpened his resilience and shaped his approach to business.
 2. Finding Your Edge: Learn about Jeremy’s EDGE framework—Eliminate Distractions, Discover Yourself, Generate Goals, and Enact Discipline—and why it’s a game-changer for anyone in transition.
 3. VOSTEK Planning Model: Vision, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Execution, and KPIs. Jeremy explains how this model helps teams get clear on goals and avoid “the devil you know” approach to stuck processes.
 4. Owning the Initiative: Why large organizations often flounder with new tech (like AI) or big ideas—because no one officially owns it. Jeremy’s method of assigning true accountability.
 5. Purposeful Marketing & Self-Care: Balancing relentless drive with well-being. Jeremy reveals how he now ensures that hustle doesn’t mean burnout, and why nonprofits and for-profits alike must focus on people over process.

If you’re ready for a candid, uplifting conversation on bridging personal passion and professional purpose—plus strategies for turning big goals into real results—this episode will spark fresh motivation and clarity.

Links:

 * Jeremy’s Website: https://jeremyhaselwood.com [https://jeremyhaselwood.com/]
 * Jeremy’s books: https://www.jeremyhaselwood.com/books — Finding Your EDGE & The Digital Fundraising Blueprint
 * The Jeremy Haselwood Show (Podcast): https://www.jeremyhaselwood.com/podcast
 * Chris Voss’s ‘Never Split the Difference’: https://amzn.to/4bVl9VS
 * RACI Model (Project Management): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

23–Jeremy Haselwood – From Rap Dreams to Purposeful EDGE

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Lucas Mack—former morning TV reporter, creative agency founder, and head of brand for Kubota. Through personal stories of adversity and triumph, Lucas explains how telling the truth—both to yourself and to others—can become a powerful catalyst for transformation in business and life.

Topics Explored:

 1. Resilience Rooted in Hardship - Lucas shares how surviving a difficult childhood taught him not only grit but also the importance of authenticity.
 2. Finding the Real Story - From local news segments to advertising campaigns, Lucas shows how a deep dive into human motivations and emotions uncovers the hidden spark that inspires customers, employees, and entire organizations.
 3. Leading With Courage - Why surrounding yourself with humble yet bold people elevates team performance—and what it looks like to call out executive assumptions.
 4. Building a Next-Level Brand - Beyond “being number one in your category,” Lucas argues for building a brand that stands for something big—so big that profit becomes the byproduct, not the prime product.
 5. Truth as Freedom - Whether it’s refusing to settle for surface-level answers or owning your own story, Lucas reveals why naming the truth is the only way to break free from cultural constraints and unlock genuine innovation.

If you’re curious how bold honesty, personal resilience, and a well-defined ‘why’ can turn a brand—or any team—into a lasting success, Lucas’s insights will help you bring deeper authenticity to your own work.

Links:

 * Lucas Mack’s website: https://lucasmack.com [https://lucasmack.com/]
 * Connect with Lucas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmack/
 * Lucas Mack’s book: https://www.lucasmack.com/ebooks/everyone-has-a-plan-until-they-get-punched-in-the-face-by-lucas-mack
 * Lucas’s TEDx talk (2019): https://www.lucasmack.com/lucas-mack-speaking
 * Lucas Mack’s podcast: https://www.lucasmack.com/the-lucas-mack-show
 * Mrs’ Baird’s bread: https://www.mrsbairds.com/products
 * Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces: https://amzn.to/43NjVcV
 * The Truman Show (film reference): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

22–Lucas Mack – Every man dies, but not every man really lives

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Juli Rush, whose work spans educating everyone from middle-schoolers to adults in strategic foresight and supporting individuals as a death doula. Drawing on her background in thanatology (the study of death and dying) and her role as Director of the Foresight Activation Lab at the University of Houston, Juli reveals how these seemingly different fields share a surprising thread:

 1. When the Future Dies — Juli explains her framework—Hospice, Vigil, Compost—for guiding both individuals and organizations through endings. It’s not just about literal death; it’s about letting old visions go, so new ones can flourish.
 2. Emotional Intelligence & Scenario Thinking — Facilitating “collapsing” scenarios in strategic foresight can trigger strong emotional reactions. Juli shows how grief techniques help leaders remain resilient and empathetic when confronting unsettling possibilities.
 3. Fostering Resilience in Children — From teaching kids how to map out the future of war to letting them creatively debate AI, she illustrates why early exposure to foresight concepts can build crucial adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
 4. Culture, Systems, and Hard Conversations — Whether it’s organizational “end-of-life” decisions or moral dilemmas around technology, Juli believes in honest—and often uncomfortable—dialogue that unearths root values and reorients us to what truly matters.
 5. Beyond ‘Sustain at All Costs’ — At times, sustaining a job, product, or personal project just to avoid the label failure can be more harmful than letting go. Juli describes how knowing when to say goodbye can transform complacency into possibility.

If you’re curious about how deeper reflection on mortality can spark more vibrant futures—for your team, your community, or yourself—Juli’s integrative approach will challenge assumptions and offer practical frameworks you can apply right away.

Links:

 * When the Future Dies (Juli’s project): https://whenthefuturedies.com [https://www.whenthefuturedies.com/]
 * University of Houston Foresight Program: https://uh.edu/technology/programs/graduate/foresight/ [https://www.houstonforesight.org/]
 * Imagining After Capitalism by Andy Hines: https://amzn.to/41H6GYB
 * Theory U (Otto Scharmer / Presencing Institute): https://www.presencing.org/
 * Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: https://amzn.to/41Wg63N
 * The Association of Professional Futurists: https://www.apf.org [https://www.apf.org/]
 * Juli’s SXSW talk “When The Future Dies: Putting Endings In Our Beginnings”: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/events/PP146642
 * World Future’s Review: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/WFR

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

21–Juli Rush – Foresight, Grief, and the Courage to Let Futures End

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Andy Bales, whose extensive experience spans from the Door of Faith Mission in Des Moines to serving as CEO of Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles—often described as the epicenter of homelessness in the U.S. Andy dives into the forces that lead individuals into homelessness, the hidden traumas that often go unseen, and why providing a roof alone won’t repair lives. Sharing personal stories of heartbreak and renewed hope—from a father coping with his son’s tragic accident to families left with no support network—Andy illustrates how homelessness is more a loss of community than it is a loss of housing.

Together, Eric and Andy explore:

 1. Homelessness as Disconnection – How the lack of any family or friend “safety net” is usually the biggest factor in ending up on the streets.
 2. Life-Changing Encounters – Andy’s pivotal moment—and the regret that led him to a new path of truly seeing people, not just walking past them.
 3. Beyond Housing First – Why a harm-reduction “roof only” model often traps people in cycles of addiction and exploitation by street gangs.
 4. Community & Mentorship – Stories of individuals who found stability through mentorships, job training, and the dignity that comes from paying their own way.
 5. Working With Kids Today – Why Andy now focuses on children at Children and Family Urban Movement (CFUM), preventing future homelessness by instilling reading skills, emotional support, and real hope for the next generation.

If you’re curious about practical ways to help—not just with donations, but by becoming that vital link to real community—Andy offers actionable insights you can bring to organizations in your own hometown.

Links:

 * Children and Family Urban Movement (CFUM): https://cfum.org [https://cfum.org/]
 * Union Rescue Mission: https://urm.org [https://urm.org/]
 * Union Rescue Mission getting a mother contact with her long lost son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_K9NYjriAQ
 * Andy Bales on X: https://x.com/abales
 * “San Fransicko”, a book that Andy features prominently in: https://amzn.to/4h5FlFm
 * Learn about Housing First: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_First
 * Learn about Harm Reduction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_reduction

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

20–Andy Bales – From Poverty to Purpose

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum talks with Dan Reus, founder of Openly Disruptive [https://openlydisruptive.com/], about how creative pivots and unexpected collaborations can drive innovation—whether in theme parks, brand marketing, or entire city ecosystems. Dan’s path stretches from designing roller-coaster experiences to advising corporate leaders on how to align competing teams, and even competitors, around a shared vision of the future.

Together, Eric and Dan explore:

 1. Finding the Real “Why” — How Dan’s endless questioning—and a few unorthodox requests—uncovered the deeper reason behind big-budget ideas.
 2. Innovation as an “Experience Matrix” — Designing everything from car-product launches to public programs by plotting emotional beats and real-world payoffs.
 3. Communities & Coalitions — Why leaders, founders, and even direct competitors can benefit from building bigger pies instead of fighting for the same slice.
 4. MVP vs. Real-World Feedback — Why a purely digital artifact may not cut it—and how small, tangible “prototypes” can glean far more honest responses.
 5. Disruptive Diner — Dan’s live events—past and present—where people don’t just sit and listen, but actively participate to discover fresh insights and alliances.

If you’ve ever worried about launching a new idea only to crash into office politics, budget constraints, or the fear of the unknown, Dan’s practical frameworks and real-life stories show how to unify diverse interests and create a shared path to long-term success—without just “praying” a big idea will magically succeed.

Also, the air nailer story Eric talked about comes from Ted Wright, who is an upcoming guest on this podcast.

Links:

 * Openly Disruptive: https://openlydisruptive.com [https://openlydisruptive.com/]
 * Email Dan for the tear-off pads: dan@openlydisruptive.com
 * Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danreus
 * Episode with Jeremy Nulik: https://unfoldingthought.com/jeremy-nulik-how-vision-shapes-strategy/
 * For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]
 * Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

19–Dan Reus – Don’t Call It A Perpetual Motion Machine

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum chats with Adam Wallace, who has spent a career solving the puzzle of why good plans so often fail in execution. Adam’s background spans broadway technical direction, multi-billion dollar oil projects, enterprise software rollouts, and now a family office portfolio. Across these diverse domains, he’s seen the same patterns: people aim for the “promised land,” but hidden assumptions, outdated incentives, and unspoken constraints stop them from acting on what they say they want.

Together, Eric and Adam explore:

 * From Corporate Fixer to Family Office: How Adam’s narrow skillset in value creation and alignment has turned into multiple investments.
 * Pinpointing the “Why” Behind Stalled Projects: Surfacing the real reasons teams say yes in meetings but fail to follow through.
 * The Power of Constraints: That New Mexico oil well story—where a manager wouldn’t buy enough belts because of a $100k monthly budget—reveals how small barriers derail big visions.
 * Pricing & “Revalue”: Aligning what you do with what customers truly cherish so you can charge more and still deliver better.
 * In-Person Experiences in a Digital Age: Why Adam thinks experiential marketing and live events may be poised for major growth—even as AI transforms how we engage online.

If you’ve ever wondered how organizations can remove “foot on the brake” moments or re-align around value instead of just vision, Adam’s practical stories and insights reveal a path to capturing new opportunities—without the usual friction.

Links:

 * Adam’s website: https://adamwallace.com [https://adamwallace.com/]
 * TGN (Executive Mobilization): https://www.tgn-consulting.com [https://www.tgn-consulting.com/]
 * (Re)Value: Raise Your Prices and Build Your Legacy: https://amzn.to/4k5ZFcf
 * Episode with Andy Hite: https://unfoldingthought.com/14-andy-hite-from-broadway-to-the-boardroom-empowering-leaders-and-teams/
 * Episode with Kevin Hughes: https://unfoldingthought.com/12-kevin-hughes-branding-athletes-and-rewriting-the-rules-of-sports-marketing/
 * Execution Certainty: https://lumeri.com/execution-certainty/
 * GDX Studio: https://www.gdxstudios.com [https://www.gdxstudios.com/]

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

18–Adam Wallace – Overcoming Constraints to Capture Value

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum interviews Bill Jacobs, who has spent over two decades helping nonprofits use data to drive better fundraising results. Bill explains how donor behavior is shifting—especially in today’s economic and cultural environment—and why many nonprofits find themselves behind the curve when it comes to analytics and innovation.

Together, Eric and Bill explore:

 * Fundraising as Both “Art & Science”: Balancing data insights with creative storytelling to grow sustainable donor relationships.
 * The Agency Shake-Up: How private equity and cultural mismatches are reshaping the fundraising agency world.
 * Changing Donor Landscapes: Why donor file counts have been shrinking since 2008, and the growing dominance of major donors.
 * New vs. Established Approaches: Why “testing something new” is so risky in nonprofits—and yet increasingly necessary. Bill: “They support ideas that work. They do not support ideas that fail.”
 * Predicting What’s Next: How AI, rising costs, and generational shifts might transform nonprofit fundraising in the near future.

If you’ve ever wondered how organizations can keep donor pipelines strong amid uncertainty, Bill’s data-driven perspective offers both caution and fresh ideas for navigating a rapidly evolving sector.

The quote that Eric was searching for at one point came from Fred Polak: “The rise and fall of images of the future precedes or accompanies the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society's image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.”

Links

 * AnalyticalOnes (Bill’s Company): https://analyticalones.com [https://analyticalones.com/]
 * Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-jacobs-a617321/

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

17–Bill Jacobs – Game over. Fundraising no longer works?

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum sits down with Eliot Frick, founder of Bigwidesky, to discuss how our deeply ingrained, mechanical view of business and culture can actually limit innovation and true leadership. Eliot explains why some challenges can’t be solved simply by adopting best practices, and how leaders can learn to operate effectively in uncharted territory.

Together, Eric and Eliot delve into:

 * The tension between reductionist “just give me the solution” thinking and the reality of ever-evolving, complex problems.
 * Jobs to Be Done Theory and the famous “milkshake” example—why simply copying best practices misses the mark.
 * The importance of vision, foresight, and genuine human meaning—even for businesses that seem ordinary on the surface.
 * Why marketing and advertising often fail to create real alignment between companies and their audiences.
 * Insights from philosophy, neuroscience, and biology—including references to Iain McGilchrist, Stuart Kauffman, Stephen Jay Gould, and more.

If you’ve ever felt that standard solutions or one-size-fits-all frameworks weren’t enough for the complexities you face, this episode is a must-listen. Eliot offers a refreshing take on how to engage the unknown, inspire grander visions, and rediscover meaning in the process.

Links:

 * Bigwidesky: https://bigwidesky.com [https://bigwidesky.com/]
 * Jobs to Be Done (Milkshake Case Study): https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/clay-christensens-milkshake-marketing
 * Iain McGilchrist’s “The Master and His Emissary”: https://amzn.to/40YxfcL
 * Stuart Kauffman & Exaptation: https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2010/01/intelligent_design_no_darwinia.html

Connect with Eliot:

 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliotfrick/
 * Bigwidesky: https://bigwidesky.com [https://bigwidesky.com/]

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

16–Eliot Frick – Pioneering the Unknown

The Unfolding Thought Podcast asks a provocative question: Why do we—and the groups we form—think and act the way we do? Although we may feel we understand ourselves and others, much of what drives our thoughts, choices, and behaviors remains hidden or overlooked. Through candid discussions and multi-disciplinary explorations, we reveal those unseen forces—biases, contexts, and patterns—and show how they influence individual and collective dynamics.

If you’re a leader or an intellectually curious mind looking for deep, high-value conversations, join us. We’ll challenge common assumptions, illuminate new perspectives, and spark meaningful change—helping you navigate relationships with greater clarity, innovate with confidence, and connect more authentically with those around you.