The Midnight Founders Podcast

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

Episodes

4 days ago

38 min

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.

Aug 7, 2026

39 min

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.

Jul 30, 2026

39 min

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.

Jul 23, 2026

40 min

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.

Jul 16, 2026

43 min

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.

Jul 13, 2026

39 min

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.

Jun 25, 2026

1hr 2 min

What separates companies that survive from those that become category leaders?
In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Stephen Smith and Thomas Wilkinson, the leaders behind Ollin Ventures, a Utah-based venture capital firm investing in the next generation of AI-native startups. As founders, operators, and investors, Steve and Thomas bring a unique perspective on what it takes to build enduring companies in today's rapidly changing business landscape.
We discuss how Ollin evaluates founders, why they believe the future belongs to AI-native businesses, the biggest mistakes early-stage entrepreneurs make, and what separates fundable ideas from scalable companies. They also share lessons from working with dozens of startups, raising capital, navigating uncertainty, and building businesses that create lasting value.
Whether you're launching your first venture, raising capital, or simply fascinated by the startup world, this conversation offers an inside look at how successful founders think, execute, and grow.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, venture capital, AI, and the mindset required to build something that lasts.

Jun 18, 2026

40 min

In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Devon Millington, CEO of QVR and a leader dedicated to transforming how disability care is delivered. With a background in behavior analysis and years of experience building organizations that serve vulnerable populations, Devon shares what it takes to scale mission-driven companies while staying focused on people.
We dive into the challenges of leading through uncertainty, building systems that create real impact, and the lessons he's learned as an entrepreneur navigating rapid growth. Devon also opens up about the connection between leadership, personal development, and creating organizations that prioritize both accountability and human connection.
Whether you're building a company, leading a team, or looking to make a meaningful difference through your work, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, and creating lasting impact.

Jun 4, 2026

44 min

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Shurian, an entrepreneur whose journey has been defined by resilience, reinvention, and relentless determination. As an 8-time founder, 4-time business exit entrepreneur, mentor, advisor, and leadership coach, Chris has spent nearly four decades building companies across construction, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and more.
Chris shares the lessons he's learned from building and scaling businesses, navigating setbacks, leading through adversity, and helping other founders make better decisions when the pressure is highest. From entrepreneurial wins to hard-earned battle scars, this conversation dives into what it really takes to build a meaningful business and a fulfilling life.
Whether you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or leader looking for clarity in your next season of growth, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, powerful stories, and insights you won't want to miss.

May 28, 2026

36 min

Albert Foster from Express Evaluations joins the Midnight Founders Podcast to share how he built a business around trust, relationships, and helping people navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. In this episode, Albert talks about the world of appraisals and evaluations, what most people misunderstand about the real estate industry, and the lessons he’s learned while growing a company in a competitive market.
The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, leadership, building credibility, and why consistency matters more than hype when creating a long-term business. Whether you’re in real estate, business, or simply trying to build something meaningful, this episode is packed with practical insights and founder-focused wisdom.

The Midnight Founders Podcast

The Midnight Founders Podcast is focused on telling the behind-the-scenes stories for what makes a successful entrepreneur. Just like Donavan Mitchell spends countless hours practicing step back jumpers to become a master at his craft. You are in the trenches spending countless hours to become a master at your business. We are inspired by this, we believe that is what it takes to be a midnight founder, and we want to share your story.

Our podcast is casual, every conversation is different, so we like to take the conversation wherever it leads. As such, we don’t really follow a script, but we really want to know who you are as a founder, and what makes you tick? We also want to know what keeps you up at night, what are the problems you are currently trying to solve? As entrepreneurs we know that there are challenging times where you don’t have anyone to fall back on to meet the deadline or finish the task, all the weight is on your shoulders.  One question we ask every guest that we want you to think about is:  What is the gnarliest experience you have had as an entrepreneur? Stories about you and your business are engaging and pull the listeners in.

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