Y’all Street

Ep. 43: Chad Brown – Veteran, Conservationist & Founder of Love Is King

Fresh off his appearance on Oprah's Life Is Better With Dogs, Chad Brown joins Tarek to share the remarkable journey that transformed his life and inspired a movement dedicated to healing, mentorship, and service. A Navy combat veteran, conservationist, and founder of Love Is King, Chad opens up about his struggles with PTSD, homelessness, anxiety, and a suicide attempt following his military service—and the unexpected path that led him toward recovery. Through fly fishing, time spent in nature, and the companionship of his service dog, Axe, Chad discovered a renewed sense of purpose that would eventually lead him to found Soul River. What began as an effort to connect veterans and at-risk youth through outdoor experiences has since grown under the broader mission of Love Is King, creating opportunities for mentorship, conservation, leadership development, and personal transformation. The conversation explores resilience, the healing power of community, and why serving others is often the key to healing ourselves. Chad also shares how storytelling, nature, and human connection continue to shape his work and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Ep. 42: Matthew Iommi – Co-Founder & CEO of Fetii

In this episode, Evan sits down with Matthew Iommi, co-founder and CEO of Fetii, the group rideshare platform transforming how large groups move around cities. Broadcasting from Austin, Texas, Iommi shares the unlikely origin story of buying a party bus off Facebook Marketplace while attending Texas A&M and how that decision evolved into a company now transporting more than 2.2 million passengers annually. The conversation explores how Fetii modernized the outdated group transportation industry, survived the COVID-19 pandemic through a critical business pivot, and ultimately earned backing from Y Combinator and billionaire investor Mark Cuban. Iommi also breaks down the company's unique growth strategies, including the famous "God Mode" marketing playbook, and discusses how Fetii is leveraging proprietary AI tools to optimize transportation networks, predict demand, and redefine the future of group mobility.

Ep. 41: Leigh Veidman – Head Coach of Spokane Velocity FC

Tarek is joined by Leigh Veidman, head coach of Spokane Velocity FC, to discuss the growth of professional soccer in Spokane and the evolving landscape of the sport across the United States. Veidman shares his journey growing up in inner-city Liverpool, overcoming adversity, and receiving a second chance that ultimately changed the course of his life and coaching career. The conversation explores Spokane Velocity’s rapid success as a club, the structure of the U.S. soccer pyramid, and the often nonlinear pathway players take to reach the professional level. Veidman also dives into his coaching philosophy centered around “people before players,” emphasizing leadership, resilience, culture, and understanding the individual behind the athlete. Beyond the field, the episode examines the future of soccer in America, including the impact of the upcoming World Cup, the growth of the USL, and the development of the next generation of coaches and players in the United States.

Ep. 40: Evan Baehr – Founder of Arena Hall & co-author of Get Backed

In this wide-ranging episode of Y’all Street, Tarek sits down with Evan Baehr - entrepreneur, co-founder of Able, and founder of Arena Hall, to discuss his approach to building companies and creating meaningful community. A graduate of Princeton, Yale, and Harvard Business School, Evan's career spans venture-backed startups and early experience at the White House. Evan shares why he believes startups are one of the most effective ways to bring together talent, capital, and ambition to drive real impact. They explore the role of storytelling in early-stage investing, where conviction in the founder often outweighs a fully developed business model, and break down the mindset behind entrepreneurship through the idea of “the man in the arena” – valuing those who step into the challenge and build, regardless of outcome. The conversation also dives into the decline of community and the rise of loneliness, introducing the concept of social capital as the relationships and networks that support people in real, tangible ways. Evan explains how Arena Hall, his latest project in Austin, is designed to rebuild that foundation by creating a physical space centered on connection, collaboration, and intentional hospitality. From startup building to community design, this episode highlights how people, ideas, and environments shape the way we live, work, and build for the future.

Ep. 39: Lorne Whitmore – Managing Director of Sales, Royal Canadian Mint

This week on Y’all Street, Tarek sits down with Lorne Whitmore, Managing Director of Sales at the Royal Canadian Mint, one of the most advanced and trusted minting institutions in the world, to explore how the organization operates at the center of global precious metals markets. As a crown corporation wholly owned by the Canadian government, the Mint runs two primary facilities in Ottawa and Winnipeg, managing everything from gold refining to large-scale coin production for countries around the world. Lorne breaks down the primary business lines of the Mint, including its globally recognized Maple Leaf bullion coins, an expansive numismatics program producing highly detailed collectible coins, and its role as a custodian for precious metal ETFs. The conversation also dives into the technical side of refining gold to “four nines” purity and beyond, the use of advanced technologies like AI in production and quality control, and the robust security features that protect against counterfeiting, including micro-engraving and digital tracking systems. They also cover broader market dynamics, from the impact of tariffs and trade agreements to how fluctuations in metal prices influence investor behavior and supply chains, offering a comprehensive look at how the Royal Canadian Mint balances innovation, security, and global scale in this evolving financial landscape.

Ep. 38: Joseph Cabrera – Head of Brand at American Operator

In this episode, Evan sits down with Joseph Cabrera, Head of Brand at American Operator, a company focused on transitioning small businesses from retiring owners to a new generation of local operators. He explains how their model challenges traditional private equity by prioritizing long-term ownership, community impact, and giving operators the chance to earn equity over time. They dive into the “soul” of small businesses—why they matter beyond profit and how losing them to corporate rollups strips communities of their identity. Joseph also shares how his experience at West Point Military Academy and service in Afghanistan shaped his leadership style, along with his belief that real teams are built through shared hardship, not comfort. The conversation highlights the challenges of business succession and why a growing number of young Americans are turning toward hands-on, meaningful work over traditional corporate paths.

Ep. 37: Michael Lane – Head of Asset Management & EVP at SEI

In this episode, Evan sits down with Michael Lane, Head of Asset Management and Executive Vice President at SEI. Lane is responsible for the business and growth strategy for SEI’s Advisor and Institutional businesses in North America while also leading the firm’s investment management teams globally. He breaks down how SEI operates across financial advisors, institutional clients, and wealth platforms, sharing insight into managing a business that oversees trillions in assets, the importance of scale and diversification, and how maintaining a client-first approach drives long-term success. Lane reflects on his upbringing in Corning, New York, where being raised by a single father instilled independence and resilience early on, and how starting his career as a commission-based financial advisor pushed him to build trust, create value, and establish credibility quickly. Drawing from his experience at firms like Dimensional and BlackRock, he highlights key lessons around discipline, precision, urgency, and operating at the highest level within large, complex organizations. The conversation also explores the role of AI in wealth management, why human relationships remain essential in such a personal industry, and how young professionals can stand out by seeking opportunity, building strong networks, and earning their way through consistent effort. The episode ultimately offers a clear look into leadership, career growth, and the mindset required to succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving industry.

Ep. 36: Willie Bloomquist – ASU Baseball Head Coach & Former MLB Player

Immediately following Arizona State’s series at Globe Life Field in Texas, Tarek is joined by Willie Bloomquist in his office overlooking ASU’s stadium to explore what goes into building and sustaining a high-level program in today’s evolving college sports landscape. The conversation highlights the rich tradition of ASU baseball, including its College World Series appearances, national championships, and legacy of Major League talent. Bloomquist shares how the rise of NIL and the transfer portal has reshaped recruiting and competition, creating a more complex and demanding environment than ever before. He dives into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing culture, discipline, and a commitment to the process over outcomes. Drawing from his 14-year MLB career, he reflects on the transition from player to coach and the experiences that shaped his leadership style. The discussion also explores the importance of mental toughness, using failure as a tool for growth, and identifying athletes who bring effort, attitude, and competitiveness beyond raw talent. The conversation ultimately offers a clear look into the mindset and standards required to compete—and win—at the highest level.

Ep. 35: Steve Orr – Managing Director and CIO at Texas Capital

In this conversation, Tarek is joined by Steve Orr, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Texas Capital. With more than three decades of portfolio management experience and credentials as both a CFA and Chartered Market Technician (CMT), Orr brings a deep perspective on markets, macro trends, and investment strategy. In the conversation, he breaks down the explosive growth of the “Texas Triangle” - Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio - and how the region is evolving into a global financial hub as firms like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs expand their presence in the state. Orr also walks through his team’s “Four Rs” investment process, discusses current market signals through both technical and fundamental analysis, and shares his outlook on equities, bonds, and digital assets like Bitcoin. Throughout the discussion, he explores the larger forces shaping markets today - from demographic shifts and artificial intelligence to government policy and the broader economic momentum driving Texas’ rise as the center of “Y’all Street.”

Ep. 34: Richard Rawlings – Founder, Gas Monkey Garage & Fast N’ Loud

On this episode of Y’all Street, Tarek sits down with Richard Rawlings, entrepreneur, media personality, and founder of Gas Monkey Garage. Rawlings reflects on a journey that began in Fort Worth, where he delivered newspapers with his father and started buying and selling cars as a teenager. Before turning 21, he served as a firefighter, police officer, and paramedic in Coppell, all while running side hustles in the car business. After leaving public service, he found success as a top salesperson and eventually the owner of a printing company, where he sharpened his instincts for design, marketing, and brand building. In 2003, he sold that business to launch Gas Monkey Garage with the goal of building a globally recognized automotive lifestyle brand. Nearly a decade later, that vision reached millions when Fast N' Loud premiered on Discovery Channel. In the conversation, Rawlings shares the bold moves that fueled the brand’s rise - including setting a transcontinental speed record in the legendary Cannonball Run - and explains why modern entrepreneurs should think like media companies, building loyal audiences through content, direct-to-consumer businesses, and relentless brand focus.