Built for Purpose: How Ed Lynch Turned Tragedy Into Jobs for People With Disabilities

What Happens When You Build a Workforce Around Purpose, Not Just Productivity

In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Isaac, and Mike welcome a very special guest: Rich Rider, the recently retired Warehouse Production Manager at Clean Logic. Rich spent nearly five years helping build one of the most mission-driven production teams in the country, working alongside employees with disabilities to hit numbers that would impress any logistics veteran. But as Rich puts it, the numbers were never really the point. This episode is a tribute to what happens when leadership, culture, and purpose collide in a warehouse. Rich shares how a job he thought was about moving boxes turned into one of the most personally transformative experiences of his life, and why he would not have it any other way. We explore: ▫️ How Rich went from a 40-year logistics career to learning that limitations are mostly perceived, not real ▫️ Why Mike's first interview question was not about numbers at all, and what it revealed about Clean Logic's culture ▫️ The on-the-floor lessons Rich learned by simply asking his team what they needed, including letting a blind employee find a blind teacher ▫️ How Clean Logic achieved over 1,000 safe work days in a fully operational warehouse with forklifts, pallets, and real production pressure ▫️ The proudest moments Rich carries with him into retirement, from promoting team members to seeing a young worker named Tyrese finally find his stride SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT… 📱 Follow @drivenbypurposepodcast on all platforms 🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com 🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org 👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro 👤 Mike Ghesser — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ghesser-b837a552 👤 Evan Rosenblum — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evan-rosenblum-141601237 RESOURCES… ▫️ Learn about the Inspiration Seal — inspirationfoundation.org ▫️ Clean Logic accessible products — cleanlogic.com

Entrepreneurs: Don’t Slow Down This Summer Until You Hear This

Summer can be a dangerous season for entrepreneurs if you treat it like downtime. In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Isaac Shapiro shares why summer can be one of the biggest opportunities of the year for founders, business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs. From using “summer Fridays” to get ahead, to planning for the second half of the year, to protecting family time without losing momentum, this episode is a masterclass in balancing ambition with intentional rest. Isaac and Evan dig into: ▫️ Why summer can be a strategic growth season for entrepreneurs ▫️ How successful founders use quieter months to prepare for big wins ▫️ The danger of hustle culture without recovery ▫️ Why recharging can make you a stronger leader ▫️ How to think about vacation, family, and business without guilt ▫️ Practical mindset shifts for entrepreneurs building for the long term One of the biggest takeaways: Rest is not the enemy of growth. Used correctly, it fuels it. If you’re building a business, launching something new, or trying to grow without burning out, this episode is for you. SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT… 📱 Follow @drivenbypurposepodcast on all platforms 🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com 🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org 👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro 👤 Mike Ghesser — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ghesser-b837a552 👤 Evan Rosenblum — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evan-rosenblum-141601237 RESOURCES… ▫️ Learn about the Inspiration Seal — inspirationfoundation.org ▫️ Clean Logic accessible products — cleanlogic.com

$70K in Inspiration Foundation Tech Grants Changing Lives | Jeremy Grandstaff Interview

What if technology could completely change how you experience the world? In this episode of Driven By Purpose, we sit down with Jeremy Grandstaff, Executive Director of the Inspiration Foundation, to explore the cutting edge of technology transforming the blind and visually impaired community. From early tools like the Apple IIe to today’s AI-powered Meta glasses, Jeremy breaks down how assistive technology is evolving faster than ever—and what that means for independence, employment, and everyday life. We also dive into the Inspiration Foundation Tech Grants, a growing initiative funding the next wave of innovation that’s helping level the playing field for people with disabilities. This episode isn’t just about tech. It’s about access, opportunity, and what’s possible when innovation meets purpose. In this episode, you’ll learn: ▫️ How assistive technology has evolved over the last 35 years ▫️ What Meta glasses and AI tools can actually do in real life ▫️ How blind individuals use tech to navigate the world independently ▫️ The biggest gaps still holding the disability community back ▫️ Why storytelling and visibility matter for employment ▫️ How tech grants are accelerating real-world impact ▫️ Where the future of accessibility is headed Key Moments: ▫️ 00:00 Why assistive tech matters more than ever ▫️ 02:00 Early technology for the blind community ▫️ 05:00 The shift from basic tools to AI-powered solutions ▫️ 07:00 How Meta glasses actually work ▫️ 09:00 Real-world navigation using AI ▫️ 12:00 The Inspiration Foundation Tech Grants ▫️ 16:00 Why accessibility is still misunderstood ▫️ 22:00 The limitations of AI and how to adapt ▫️ 28:00 Expanding support beyond visual impairment ▫️ 30:00 The future: scaling impact and funding innovation Why This Matters: Technology is rapidly closing the gap for people with disabilities—but access, awareness, and funding still lag behind. This episode shows what’s possible when innovation is paired with purpose—and why the next wave of accessibility could change everything. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share to help expand access and opportunity. SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT… 📱 Follow @drivenbypurposepodcast on all platforms 🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com 🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org 👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro 👤 Mike Ghesser — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ghesser-b837a552 👤 Evan Rosenblum — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evan-rosenblum-141601237 RESOURCES… ▫️ Learn about the Inspiration Seal — inspirationfoundation.org ▫️ Clean Logic accessible products — cleanlogic.com

Built for Purpose: How Ed Lynch Turned Tragedy Into Jobs for People With Disabilities

What happens when purpose meets action? In this powerful episode of Driven By Purpose, we sit down with Ed Lynch, founder of Mychal’s Learning Place, a growing organization dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities. What started as a deeply personal mission inspired by his daughter has grown into a multifaceted operation that includes after-school programs, job training, a commercial bakery, and a fully operational café employing individuals with disabilities. Ed shares the emotional story behind his “why,” the challenges he faced building something from scratch, and how he scaled a mission-driven organization into a sustainable, community-backed business. This conversation goes beyond inspiration. It’s about action, leadership, and building a future where inclusive employment is the norm. In this episode, you’ll learn: ▫️ The origin story behind Mychal’s Learning Place ▫️ How tragedy shaped Ed’s mission and vision ▫️ Why inclusive employment is still misunderstood ▫️ How a cookie program turned into a full bakery and café ▫️ The real impact of creating opportunities for people with disabilities ▫️ What it takes to scale a purpose-driven organization ▫️ How businesses and communities can get involved Learn more about Mychal’s Learning Place at www.mychals.org [http://www.mychals.org] SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT… 📱 Follow @drivenbypurposepodcast on all platforms 🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com 🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org 👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro 👤 Mike Ghesser — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ghesser-b837a552 👤 Evan Rosenblum — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evan-rosenblum-141601237 RESOURCES… ▫️ Learn about the Inspiration Seal — inspirationfoundation.org ▫️ Clean Logic accessible products — cleanlogic.com

What We’ve Learned About Purpose & Disability

50 episodes. Countless stories. One mission. In this milestone episode of Driven By Purpose, we reflect on the journey so far and what we’ve learned along the way. From powerful personal stories to game-changing conversations with leaders and entrepreneurs, this episode is about growth, purpose, and impact. This isn’t just a look back. It’s a look forward. ▫️ The most impactful moments from the first 50 episodes ▫️ How the show has changed us personally ▫️ Why purpose is at the center of everything we do ▫️ The real impact on families, businesses, and the disability community We talk about the guests who inspired us, the lessons that stuck, and the mission that continues to drive us forward. ▫️ Building inclusive workplaces that actually work ▫️ Creating opportunities for people with disabilities ▫️ Sharing stories that matter ▫️ Turning conversation into real-world impact This episode is a reminder that we’re just getting started. What You’ll Take Away: ▫️ Why purpose matters more than ever ▫️ The power of storytelling in driving change ▫️ How businesses can lead in inclusion ▫️ The importance of community and shared experiences ▫️ What’s next for Driven By Purpose Subscribe and join us as we build the next 50 episodes and beyond. SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT… 📱 Follow @drivenbypurposepodcast on all platforms 🧼 Clean Logic — cleanlogic.com 🌟 Inspiration Foundation — inspirationfoundation.org 👤 Isaac Shapiro — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isaac-shapiro 👤 Mike Ghesser — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-ghesser-b837a552 👤 Evan Rosenblum — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evan-rosenblum-141601237 RESOURCES… ▫️ Learn about the Inspiration Seal — inspirationfoundation.org ▫️ Clean Logic accessible products — cleanlogic.com