The Grit to Growth Podcast

What happens when life takes an unexpected turn—and the pressure is at its peak? In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Brett Waltner, a seasoned attorney and partner at Myers Billion, to talk about high-stakes decision-making and emotional resilience in legal crises. Brett shares insights from his early career as a prosecutor to his current role helping clients navigate everything from criminal defense to custody battles.
Listeners will appreciate Brett’s calm, clear-headed approach to intense situations, his practical tips for keeping emotions in check, and his commitment to helping clients think clearly—even when things get heated. Whether you're facing a legal issue or just want to hear from someone who knows how to stay grounded under pressure, this conversation delivers wisdom, perspective, and heart.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this heartfelt and practical episode, Levi sits down with Robert and Kay Lee Fukui, co-founders of i61 and creators of the “Thriving in Tandem” framework. Drawing on personal stories and years of professional experience, the Fukuis share why business success shouldn't come at the cost of your most important relationships.
From managing cattle ranches and church congregations to corporate marketing and small business consulting, Robert and Kay Lee reflect on their unique upbringings and how those backgrounds shaped their mission to help married entrepreneurs balance business and home life.
Together, they talk through the common traps couples fall into—like unresolved conflict, busyness, and wearing too many hats—and how weekly meetings, focused priorities, and heart-level connection can lead to a more profitable business and a stronger marriage.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this inspiring episode, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Sanaa Abourezk, owner of a beloved Mediterranean restaurant in Sioux Falls. From her roots in Damascus to launching a business in South Dakota, Sanaa shares how food became her bridge to culture, community, and change. They discuss her path from agricultural engineering to launching a restaurant against the odds, her philosophy on eating intentionally, and why her vegan burger is drawing attention in the Sioux Falls Burger Battle.
Sanaa also opens up about teaching others through Instagram, potential Shark Tank dreams, and upcoming efforts to fight childhood hunger through fun, community-centered events.
Whether you're a foodie, entrepreneur, or simply someone who believes in gathering around the table, Sanaa’s story will warm your heart and feed your soul.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this enlightening episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Jennifer Schriever to explore what sustainable weight care really looks like. With over two decades in family medicine and a board certification in obesity medicine, Dr. Schriever brings a unique and compassionate approach to a deeply misunderstood topic.
She shares her journey into obesity medicine, the science behind weight as a chronic disease, and how Sanford Health is leading with a personalized, whole-person model of care. The conversation dives into everything from the impact of childhood experiences on eating habits to the evolving world of weight-loss medications.
Learn why “eat less and move more” is only a fraction of the equation and how mindset, history, hormones, and support systems all play a vital role in long-term health. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your health journey or simply curious about what comprehensive weight care looks like today—this episode will leave you informed and inspired.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it really take to build a sustainable workforce for the future? In this episode, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Denise Guzzetta, Vice President of Talent and Workforce at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, for a compelling look into the programs, strategies, and partnerships driving long-term workforce success in South Dakota.
Denise shares her journey from finance and corporate leadership to regional workforce development, and how she’s building bridges between schools, students, and employers. From STEM camps to career connections, Denise breaks down how early exposure, immersive learning, and community collaboration are preparing young people for real-world careers—and helping businesses find and grow local talent.
If you're a business leader, educator, or simply someone passionate about community development, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa talks with Jon Sanders—a pastor, coach, firefighter, and serial entrepreneur—about what it means to serve people through business while staying true to your calling.
Jon shares his powerful journey from a full-time firefighter to a multi-business owner, including the founding of Entree Pastors, an initiative that helps pastors build financial freedom by becoming entrepreneurs. He opens up about wrestling with his calling, embracing a multi-passionate identity, and building businesses that meet real community needs.
You’ll hear how Jon went from financial insecurity in ministry to building successful ventures like Dakota Small Jobs and 605 Blinds. He explains why pastors often struggle with money, and how shifting mindset, understanding personal strengths, and building a business with purpose can help them thrive—both in ministry and in life.
Jon also unpacks his MAPS framework, walks through the mindset shifts necessary for pastors to build sustainable income, and casts a compelling vision for future growth through business acquisitions.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

When Jennifer Johnson’s health forced her to rethink food, she didn’t just adapt — she transformed her entire lifestyle and eventually built a thriving business from it. In this episode, Levi Te Slaa chats with Jennifer about how a personal dietary shift turned into Gluten Free Please, a beloved gluten-free baking mix company that’s making waves in kitchens everywhere.
Jennifer shares her journey from 25 years in banking to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. She talks about the challenges of navigating food allergies, the real story behind starting her business, and the products people can’t get enough of — like her double chocolate brownie mix and nostalgic Pizza Hut-style pizza crust.
They also discuss the growing awareness around gluten-free living, how Jennifer is building a community around her brand, and what’s ahead in 2026 — including a new website, YouTube tutorials, and the surprising success of her new gluten-free sourdough bread.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this inspiring conversation, Jill Janecke shares how her roots on a Minnesota hog farm laid the foundation for a lifelong mission to serve rural communities through mental health care. Jill opens up about the grit it took to launch Rising Hope Counseling in Pierre, South Dakota, with just one client—and how it’s now grown to 30 locations across four states.
We dive deep into how understanding the brain and building awareness can be transformational not just in therapy, but in leadership, work culture, and daily life. Jill shares the power of EMDR therapy, why “hope” became the heart of her practice, and how therapy in rural America is evolving through hybrid and telehealth models.
Whether you’re a therapist, a leader, or someone who believes in second chances and strong communities, this episode will move you.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to lead a medical team through a child’s emergency and be a calm, confident presence for families during their worst moments?
In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Donald “Don” Ellis, a pediatric emergency medicine physician now based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Don shares his journey from Delaware to building a pediatric emergency program in the Dakotas—something he describes as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve an underserved region.
Don unpacks what makes pediatric emergency care so unique, how it differs from general emergency medicine, and why he insists on a first-name basis with his team to eliminate barriers to communication when seconds matter. From the launch of a new pediatric ER wing to the role of "Child Life" specialists and an upcoming emergency medicine residency, Don’s work is reshaping healthcare access for children in the Upper Midwest.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What do NFL players, firefighters, and everyday adults all have in common? They want to move better, feel better, and live pain-free. In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Mark “Coach Rozy” Roozen, a veteran strength and conditioning coach with a remarkable journey spanning NFL sidelines, hospital wellness centers, and high school gyms.
Coach Rozy shares how his upbringing in small-town South Dakota shaped his passion for movement and health. You'll hear how he brought American football to Europe, built strength programs in Texas and South Dakota, and developed Live Pain Free—a program helping professionals overcome repetitive use injuries.
Whether you're an elite athlete or just want to pick up your grandkids without pain, Coach Rozy has insights for you. He breaks down how patterns, progression, and practical programming can transform performance and wellbeing across all ages and professions.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.