Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

What if the obstacles standing in front of a young person do not have to determine the course of that person’s life? Ian Rowe, author and senior fellow at American Enterprise Institute, has spent three decades working across education, philanthropy, government, and the private sector trying to answer that question.

 

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Rowe to explore his concept of agency: the combination of free will and moral discernment that allows people to make choices about the lives they will build. Rowe shares the personal story that shaped his thinking, including the moment at age 12 when he challenged his parents’ decision about his school and the later decision to leave a conventional career path after Harvard Business School for a $25,000-a-year position at Teach for America.

 

Rowe also explains the four institutions he believes are essential to cultivating agency in young people: family, religion, education, and entrepreneurship. He discusses Vertex Partnership Academies, the first graduating class from the school he co-founded, and his plans to build additional virtues-based schools that combine rigorous education with career preparation.

 

Listen to the full episode of Going Big! to hear Ian’s story and consider how we can help young people recognize their own agency, overcome obstacles, and become the architects of their own lives.

What if losing the biggest opportunity of your life was actually preparing you for something much bigger?

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Nick Freitas, an Army Green Beret, former Virginia legislator, two-time congressional candidate, and media entrepreneur whose platform now reaches millions of people. Nick shares the story behind his unconventional journey, from military service and public office to two painful electoral defeats and the unexpected media career that followed.

The conversation explores faith, family, responsibility, overcoming adversity, military leadership, entrepreneurship, and the difference between measuring success by outcomes versus obedience. Nick also explains how the team he built through his political campaigns eventually helped launch a rapidly growing media operation, and why he chose to partner with Blaze Media while preserving his independence.

For anyone who has experienced disappointment, questioned whether a setback had meaning, or wondered how to identify the next chapter of their life, Nick’s story offers a compelling perspective on what it means to keep going big when the original plan doesn’t work.

What does it take to turn good ideas into lasting policy change?

 

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Matt Brouillette, longtime public policy leader and founder of Commonwealth Partners, to explore his journey from teaching history in San Diego to working alongside legendary state-policy leaders Larry Reed and Joe Overton, eventually leading the Commonwealth Foundation and launching a new organization focused on winning political and policy battles in Pennsylvania.

 

The conversation goes deeper into Matt’s new book, You GOTTA Win Pennsylvania!, and his argument that the states are the critical battleground for America’s future. He discusses the importance of durable state-level infrastructure, school choice, energy policy, litigation, coalition building, taking risks, learning from defeat, and maintaining a long-term view when victories do not come quickly.

 

For anyone interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, philanthropy, public policy, or how bold ideas become lasting change, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to keep going and build for the long haul.

What does it take to lead with integrity when compromise seems inevitable?

In this episode of Going Big!, Kevin Gentry sits down with attorney, historian, and author Frank Atkinson to explore one of the most important questions facing leaders today: Can you remain true to your principles while navigating politics, public service, and positions of influence?

Drawing from his newly released novel, The Lion's Den: Renewing Our Democracy by Renewing Ourselves, Frank shares how the biblical story of Daniel, the leadership of George Washington and James Madison, and decades of firsthand experience in government shaped his understanding of courage, character, and servant leadership.

Together, Kevin and Frank discuss why compromise is sometimes necessary—but why conviction must never be abandoned. They examine the role of virtue in public life, the importance of preparing for difficult moral decisions before they arrive, and why renewing our institutions begins with renewing ourselves.

Whether you serve in government, business, the nonprofit sector, or your local community, this conversation offers timeless lessons on leadership, perseverance, and the responsibility each of us has to strengthen the future through our own choices.

You can get your copy of Frank's new novel, The Lion's Den: Renewing Our Democracy by Renewing Ourselves, on his website: https://www.frankatkinson.com/

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Joe Scarlett, retired CEO of Tractor Supply Company, to explore the leadership principles behind one of retail’s most remarkable turnarounds. For nearly 30 years, Joe helped transform Tractor Supply from a struggling retailer into a Fortune 500 company with more than 2,500 stores nationwide. But Joe believes the company’s greatest achievement wasn’t its growth—it was the culture that made that growth possible.

 

Joe shares how listening to frontline employees, empowering others to make decisions, building trust with partners, and creating a culture of accountability helped reshape an entire organization. He also reflects on the mentors who influenced him, the lessons he’s learned about humility and delegation, and why he has always considered himself a “head coach” rather than simply a CEO.

 

Whether you lead a business, a nonprofit, or a team of any size, this conversation offers practical insights on building organizations where people thrive, culture drives performance, and leadership is measured by the success of others.

 

You can find more of Joe's advice on life, leadership, and giving back, by signing up for his newsletter at joescarlett.com