Episode 007: Beyond “Million Dollar Marco”: Betting, Business & Life Lessons

Episode 12: Content & Digital Marketing Playbook Behind CPX Pickleball | The Plug Pod ft Kyle Sulkar

Kyle Sulkar (Sulkar Media, CPX Pickleball) breaks down how he used digital marketing, including Facebook ads, content, and now AI, to build one of the first direct-to-consumer pickleball paddle brands from the ground up. Before pickleball, Kyle spent a decade running an advertising agency, flipping cars, and testing (and failing at) multiple e-commerce products. This episode is his full playbook: what worked, what didn't, and how he thinks about digital marketing today. We cover the real difference between marketing and advertising, how AI is changing content creation and customer service, and the specific digital marketing decisions behind launching CPX Pickleball.

Episode 011: How to Buy Your First Home (The RIGHT Way) | The Plug Pod ft. Tigi Tasso

Thinking about buying a home but don't know where to start? In this episode, Jeff Kohl sits down with Tigi Tasso — Designated Managing Broker at John Green Realtors and member of the Main Street Realtors Board of Directors — to break down everything you need to know about the home buying (and selling) process. Tigi pulls back the curtain on what really happens from your first conversation with an agent all the way to the closing table — and why so much of it surprises first-time buyers. **In this episode:** - How to pick the RIGHT agent (and why part-time agents can cost you) - What a buyer consultation actually looks like - Buyer agency agreements and who pays the commission - Making offers, earnest money, and multiple offer situations - Home inspections, attorney review, and the 10-day negotiation window - Appraisals, comps, and what happens when a home doesn't appraise - Closing costs, transfer taxes, and fees nobody warns you about - Final walkthrough tips and what "broom clean" actually means - The #1 mistake buyers make between contract and closing (hint: don't buy a car) - What shocks new homeowners in the first 1–3 years - Why waiting for rates to drop or a market crash may cost you more Whether you're a first-time buyer or just haven't been through the process in a while — this one's for you. **🎙️ Guest:** Tigi Tasso | John Green Realtors | Main Street Realtors Board of Directors --- *Like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest home buying question!*

Episode 010: From Assembly Line to CEO | The Plug Pod ft Joe Chura

Jeff Kohl and Pat Schiller are joined by Go Brewing founder Joe Chura to share his journey from working on the Ford assembly line to building and selling a $200M+ tech company — and ultimately starting over with Go Brewing. He breaks down the realities of entrepreneurship, from imposter syndrome and burnout to acquisitions, mental health, and finding purpose beyond success. A raw conversation about grit, risk, reinvention, and why sometimes the best move is to just go.

Episode 009: The Future of Learning with LEAP Innovations’ Scott Frauenheim

On this episode, Jeff sits down with Scott Frauenheim, CEO of LEAP Innovations and Distinctive Schools, to talk about how personalized learning, AI, and classroom design are reshaping education. Scott explains the difference between public, private, and charter schools, why so many teachers are burning out, and how LEAP partners with schools to make learning more engaging and relevant for today’s digital-native students. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just curious about where school is headed, this conversation offers a clear look at the future of education.

Episode 008: Gene Therapy, Rare Disease & the Future of Medicine with Pat Girondi

When Pat Girondi’s son was diagnosed with thalassemia, a rare and often fatal blood disorder, his life changed overnight. A former commodities trader and South Side Chicago native, Pat left everything behind to search for a cure—eventually founding San Rocco Therapeutics, a company now leading the fight to make gene therapy more affordable. In this conversation, he shares how a father’s determination became a global mission, the obstacles of battling big pharma, and the hope that’s driving the next wave of medical breakthroughs.