#25 Ian O'Leary

#25 Ian O'Leary

In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with entrepreneur, firefighter, martial arts instructor, coach, and leadership expert Ian O'Leary for a powerful conversation about purpose, perseverance, faith, and helping others discover their gifts. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Ian was raised in a close-knit family where faith played a central role. The son of a minister, he spent much of his childhood immersed in spiritual experiences while developing a passion for sports. After winning a state football championship in high school, Ian pursued baseball at the collegiate level, eventually helping lead an underdog Division II program to a national championship appearance. His journey would take him from corporate management to entrepreneurship, personal training, martial arts instruction, network marketing leadership, and eventually into the fire service, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter and EMT. Along the way, he became one of only a handful of instructors worldwide certified to teach Bruce Lee's martial art, Jeet Kune Do. But Ian's story is about much more than professional accomplishments. He opens up about some of the deepest challenges of his life, including divorce, the heartbreaking loss of twin nephews to a rare genetic disorder, caring for his father during his battle with dementia, and navigating the long-term health challenges faced by his wife, Kristina, following her diagnosis with long COVID. Through tragedy, uncertainty, and sacrifice, Ian shares how faith, family, and purpose became the anchors that carried him forward. Today, Ian and Kristina lead Champian International, a company dedicated to helping individuals discover their purpose, maximize their potential, and overcome life's obstacles. Their mission is rooted in personal experience and a belief that every challenge can become part of a greater story. This episode is a conversation about resilience, leadership, personal growth, and finding hope when life doesn't go according to plan.

#24 Terry Roberts

In this episode, Stafford sits down with Terry Roberts, a man who spent decades navigating the corporate world with companies like IBM, Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic only to walk away and bet on himself. After realizing in his mid-50s that corporate advancement had a ceiling, Terry made a hard pivot. No safety net, no guarantees. Just a decision to learn real estate from scratch. Over the next several years, he built a portfolio strong enough to replace his income and step away from corporate life on his own terms. Now semi-retired, Terry shares what that transition really looked like; the uncertainty, the discipline, and the long game most people aren’t willing to play. This is a conversation about reinvention, knowing when to pivot, and building something that actually gives you freedom. Outside of business, Terry is a family man first. He’s been married to his college sweetheart Gina for over 40 years, with three daughters, a growing crew of grandkids, and a life centered around family, faith, and Mississippi State athletics. You’ll usually find him at a game, at the lake house on the Tombigbee, or in the shop working with his hands. He also co-hosts the Cardiovascular Matters podcast alongside Dr. Craig Walker, where they dig into heart health and real-world medical insights. This one’s about what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building your own path.

#23 Jesse R Phillips

In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with Jesse Phillips, a Marine, filmmaker, photographer, writer, and what can only be described as a true warrior poet. Jesse is the kind of man you don’t forget after you meet him. He’s got a quiet intensity, a natural charisma, and a presence that feels like it belongs on screen. But underneath all of that is something deeper. Jesse is a man of faith, a devoted husband and father, and someone who genuinely cares about people and their stories. A lot of Jesse’s work is centered around sitting down with veterans and giving them a space to be heard. Not polished. Not scripted. Just real. And if you had to boil it all down, that’s who he is at his core he is a storyteller. We talk about his journey from the Marines to filmmaking. What it means to carry both strength and vulnerability. The influence of his father—the original “warrior poet”. And how faith, family, and purpose all tie it together.

#22 Dakota Greer aka The Apizza Guy

In this episode of Breaking Bread with Stafford Shurden, I sit down with Dakota Greer, better known as The Apizza Guy. Originally from Grenada and now based in Oxford, Dakota started out reviewing pizza but quickly built a following by expanding into full restaurant reviews across North Mississippi and beyond. Outside of content, Dakota is also a nurse, which gives him a unique perspective on balancing a demanding real-world career with building a brand online. What started as a side project has turned into something much bigger. We get into what it’s really like being a creator today. The good, the bad, and the misunderstood. From dealing with public perception to the pressure of putting yourself out there, we talk honestly about the challenges that come with reviewing other people’s work and living in the spotlight, especially in smaller communities where everybody knows everybody. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the camera, or what it takes to build something from nothing in the content world, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

#21 Brian Hadad

In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with Brian Hadad, one of Mississippi’s most recognizable voices in sports media. Known for his work covering Mississippi State athletics, Brian has built a reputation for thoughtful analysis, honest commentary, and a deep understanding of college sports in the South. Over a plate of good food and real conversation, Stafford and Brian talk about sports, media, Mississippi culture, and the passion that fuels college athletics across the state. Brian shares insights from his career covering the Bulldogs, what it’s really like inside the world of sports media, and how the landscape of college athletics has changed dramatically in recent years. The conversation also explores the power of sports to unite communities, the unique role Mississippi plays in the national sports conversation, and what fans often don’t see behind the scenes. It’s an honest, engaging conversation about sports, media, and Mississippi.