On Pointe

Episode 112: Kirk Elmquist joins John for a thoughtful conversation about what truly makes a place stand out. Drawing from decades of experience across tourism, community development, and leadership, Kirk shares why the success of southwest Missouri isn’t built on attractions alone, but on something deeper: a culture of hospitality, generosity, and pride in taking care of others. From the intentional design of unforgettable experiences to the power of family, faith, and community, this episode explores how meaningful environments are created, not just for visitors, but for the people who call them home. If you’ve …

Episode 111: John DiJulius joins the podcast for a candid conversation on what separates average companies from world-class companies. Having helped brands like The Ritz-Carlton, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks elevate their customer experience, John shares how his journey—from building a family salon to advising global organizations—shaped his belief that exceptional service is never accidental. Together, he and John explore why price complaints are often experience failures, why humanity will matter even more in the age of AI, and how small daily disciplines create lasting impact.

Episode 110: The Munie Kids join John for an honest conversation about building a business while raising a family. Together, they reflect on what it was like to grow up alongside the company, the values that carried from home into work, and the lessons learned about trust, sacrifice, and presence. The episode explores how intentional leadership, shared purpose, and grace over time can lead to success at work and at home, without losing what matters most.

Episode 109: Brett Gordon joins John for a candid conversation about partnership, leadership, and building a business rooted in shared values. Brett reflects on his entrepreneurial path, the lessons learned from starting from scratch, and how humility and trust shape strong teams. Together, they discuss sustaining culture through growth, preparing for what’s ahead, and why meaningful relationships remain at the heart of long-term success.

Episode 108: Wayne and Carolyn Munie join John for a rare multigenerational conversation that reaches back nearly seven decades to explore the foundations of family, resilience, and a life shaped by faith and quiet determination. Married for almost 68 years, they share how they first met in the 1950s, the early struggles of young marriage, raising five children, navigating loss, and the discipline-driven parenting style that shaped their family. This heartfelt, wisdom-rich episode reminds us that legacy isn’t measured in accomplishments, but in the stories we carry, the love we show, and the quiet, consistent …

Episode 107: Tim Moloney joins John for an inspiring conversation about shaping the next generation of leaders in the green industry. Drawing from nearly two decades in landscape design and his current role as a professor at the University of Missouri, Tim shares how real-world experience transforms the classroom—and why teaching pride, ownership, and accountability matters most. Together, they explore the future of horticulture education, the power of internships, and how passion continues to drive purpose in an evolving industry.

Episode 106: Jeremie Kubicek joins John for a candid conversation about leadership, culture, and what it takes to prepare for Focal Pointe’s annual meeting this November. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how John is thinking about strategy, vision, and the future — plus insights from Jeremie’s decades of leadership experience and his unique approach to support and challenge.

Episode 105: Verne Harnish, founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and author of Scaling Up, joins John for a candid conversation about growth, grit, and gratitude. Verne shares why most companies stumble in the “valleys of death,” how focus and boldness shape success, and why mentorship matters at every stage. He also reflects on pursuing big goals later in life—and what it means to keep playing to win.

Episode 104: Greg Herring, data analyst and CEO of The Herring Group, joins John for a powerful conversation about leadership, loss, and finding purpose in service. Greg shares how humility, perspective, and heart shape the way he leads—and why meaning matters more than titles.

Episode 103: Joel Sullivan joins John for a conversation about leadership, growth, and gratitude in the green industry. From expanding his company to mentoring others, Joel shares what it means to build something lasting—and why staying people-first matters most.

Episode 102: Molly Munie joins the podcast with John for an open and honest conversation about their life together—29 years of marriage, four kids, and a business that took years to get off the ground. Molly shares what it’s really like being married to an entrepreneur: the uncertainty, the sacrifice, the laughter, and the love that held it all together. From the early years scraping by on a teacher’s salary to the quiet pride of watching their kids succeed, this episode is full of heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

If you’ve ever …

Episode 101: Bruce Wilson, a Lifetime Achievement Award winner and legendary green industry entrepreneur and mentor, brings his inspiring backstory to a conversation with John Munie about character. Bruce grew a small $1M company into a $100M industry giant, and along the way, inspired and shaped the careers of so many others. Bruce opens up about key influences, pivotal lessons in leadership, and how gratitude—not ego—shaped his definition of success.

From recruiting high-potential team members to navigating acquisitions and starting a respected consulting firm, Bruce’s insights are grounded in decades of hands-on experience. He reflects on …

Episode 000: John’s experience working for, and with, high performing people has led him to the belief that true success is best defined by one’s level of gratitude.  Each podcast will explore that journey and provide a view into the personal story behind the success story.  The hope is to improve the human experience for business owners, leaders, or anyone who may feel the weight of trying to create a life well lived for themselves and others.