The Jeff Crilley Show
Jeff Crilley is a former news reporter, who spent more than 25 years in newsrooms across the country. He’s an Emmy Award winning journalist, who decided to make the jump from news in 2008, when he founded his own PR Firm, Real News Public Relations. Today, the firm has more than 100 clients, and Jeff continues to tell the stories of interesting people he meets along the way. These are those stories.
Roxana Valeton, CEO, MedTells | The Jeff Crilley Show
Doctors spend an average of seven to ten minutes per patient—not because they want to, but because documentation demands and misaligned technology force their hand. Roxana Valeton has seen this problem from every angle. She immigrated from Cuba at 21, worked front desk and ultrasound tech roles, and launched her first healthcare company at 25. Now, with over twenty years of operations experience, she's built MedTells, a real-time orchestrator platform that sits on top of existing EHR systems and other tools to unify data and align it with actual clinical workflows.
In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Roxana ex...
Stephen R. Orefice, Host, Field of Dreams Business Podcast | The Jeff Crilley Show
Stephen R. Orefice went from selling ads at Fox Television in New York City to slinging cell phones at the Poughkeepsie Galleria to running a full-service general contracting company in Dallas-Fort Worth. The through line? A relentless sales instinct he credits to growing up in a baseball family—his dad played in the Minnesota Twins system, his brother played D1, and Stephen caught for LIU CW Post before spending fifteen years coaching youth ball.
Stephen is the host of the Field of Dreams Business Podcast, where he's landed guests like Tommy Mello of A1 Garage Doors, and he...
Kelly J. Kitchens, CEO, Kelly Kitchens PR | The Jeff Crilley Show
How does a 14-year-old yearbook editor end up running one of North Texas's most respected arts PR firms for over three decades? Kelly J. Kitchens has the answer—and it involves Paul Rubens, Judy Garland, and an upcoming AI film festival.
Kelly is the CEO (Chief Enthusiasm Officer) of Kelly Kitchens PR, a publicity firm she founded in 1995 after serving as entertainment editor for The Met, a popular North Texas arts and entertainment weekly. She's been recognized as a "master publicist" by both the Fort Worth Business Press and The Dallas Morning News, and journalists regularly refer cl...
Kelly & Richard Archibald, Qavah The Storehouse | The Jeff Crilley Show
Roughly 28,000 children are in the Texas foster care system right now. When a child is removed from their home—often in an emergency—they may arrive at a shelter or foster placement with nothing but the clothes on their back, or sometimes less.
Kelly and Richard Archibald founded Qavah The Storehouse to change that moment. Their nonprofit assembles "first night bags": brand-new backpacks stocked with pajamas, an outfit for the next day, toiletries, and a handwritten note of encouragement. They deliver them to CPS offices and the Children's Advocacy Center so caseworkers can hand a bag to a ch...
Catherine Ogie, Author of Unshakable | The Jeff Crilley Show
Doctors told Catherine Ogie she had a 15% chance of survival. Blood clots in her heart and lungs, three blocked arteries, stomach paralysis—her body was shutting down. She refused surgery and bet everything on faith, lifestyle changes, and becoming her own fiercest health advocate.
Catherine Ogie is the author of the bestselling book Unshakable and a U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. On this episode, she walks Jeff Crilley through the full timeline of her health crisis, starting from the October 2022 emergency room visit where she learned she'd already had a heart attack without knowing it.
...Janet Bernstein, Keynote Speaker & 10x Best-Selling Author | The Jeff Crilley Show
Janet Bernstein quit her corporate job on August 19 and had a bestselling book out by October 10. That kind of urgency doesn't come from ambition—it comes from someone who finally stopped ignoring what was wrong.
Janet is a keynote speaker, ten-time author, and Chief Glow Strategist who helps accomplished women stop shrinking and start leading out loud. On this episode, she sits down with Jeff Crilley to talk about the childhood experiences that turned her into a people pleaser (17 schools will do that), the corporate burnout she refused to call burnout until a single weekend of reading ch...
Dallas International Film Festival Turns 20 | James Faust, Katie Schuck, Austin Flores
The Dallas International Film Festival is turning 20, and Jeff Crilley brings three of the people running it into the studio to talk about what's in store this year — and where Dallas filmmaking is headed.
James Faust, the festival's Artistic Director, has been involved since the beginning. He recounts the early days of partnering with AFI and rattles off a guest list that includes Robert De Niro, Charlize Theron, Jeremy Renner (who showed up with The Hurt Locker before anyone knew it was an Oscar film), and Adrian Brody. Dallas Film Commissioner Katie Schuck explains how Texas's newly fu...
Matt Kramer, President & CEO, The Catholic Foundation | The Jeff Crilley Show
The Catholic Foundation was born in 1955 when a Dallas bishop did something almost unheard of — he gave up control of the money. Matt Kramer, who has led the Foundation as President and CEO since 2013, joins Jeff Crilley to explain how that decision shaped a lay-led community foundation that now manages nearly $370 million in assets.
Kramer walks through the Foundation's record-setting 2024: $52.25 million in contributions and $32 million granted to 900 organizations across the U.S. He shares specific examples of where the money goes — from building a soccer field for kids playing on broken glass in one of Dallas's poorest neig...
Pastor Mike Hayes & Dr. Jeffrey Garner, Real Happy | The Jeff Crilley Show
What if the word "blessed" in the Beatitudes was never meant to sound religious—and actually just means "happy"? That single mistranslation, Pastor Mike Hayes and Dr. Jeffrey Garner argue, has shaped centuries of Christian teaching in ways that moved people further from joy rather than closer to it.
Pastor Mike Hayes founded Covenant Church in Dallas and has led it for 50 years. Dr. Jeffrey Garner is a scholar of spiritual formation who started as Hayes's ghostwriter before being "unghosted" as full co-author. Together they wrote Real Happy: Jesus' Surprising Path to Genuine Joy.
In th...
Jessica Chompff & Charlene Carpenter, The CPA Sisters, CC Group Advisors | The Jeff Crilley Show
Every entrepreneur has a CPA—but how many actually hear from theirs more than once a year? Jessica Chompff and Charlene Carpenter, the sister team behind CC Group Advisors in Dallas-Fort Worth, decided that once-a-year tax prep wasn't good enough. They built their entire firm around monthly client meetings and working exclusively with business owners.
Jessica holds CPA, MST, and CTP credentials and handles deep tax research and strategy vetting. Charlene is the relationship builder and decision maker who got her start at a tax office after having her first daughter. Together they've earned the nickname "the CP...
Jenevy Sims, Author of Proverbs and Profits | The Jeff Crilley Show
Most entrepreneurs keep their faith life and their business life in separate boxes. Jenevy Sims thinks that's exactly backwards—and she wrote a book about it.
Jenevy is the author of Proverbs and Profits, a serial entrepreneur who runs The Evolve Firm (a visual communications company), and the Vice President of Business Professionals of San Antonio, the city's largest networking group. She also sits on the boards of Fashion for Life and Children's Rehabilitation Institute Teleton (CRIT).
In this conversation, Jenevy explains why she believes entrepreneurship is "spiritual warfare with a business plan" and walks th...
Linda Fisk, Founder & CEO, LeadHership Global | The Jeff Crilley Show
Women own and operate businesses at record rates, yet they receive less than 2% of all available VC funding. Linda Fisk has spent a decade trying to change that math.
Linda is the founder and CEO of LeadHership Global, a community of over 10,000 women leaders spanning Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Nairobi, New York, Dallas, Vancouver, and beyond. She's a two-time TEDx speaker, six-time TV producer, international bestselling author, and a returning guest — her first appearance on the show was five years ago.
In this conversation, Linda and Jeff talk about the persistent funding gap for women-owned businesses, wh...
Lori Vann, Self-Injury & International Behavioral Health Expert | The Jeff Crilley Show
Self-injury is far more common than most people realize. Yet many therapists were never formally trained to address it in school.
Jeff Crilley talks with Lori Vann, an international behavioral health speaker and founder of the Institute for Non-Suicidal Self Injury, who has spent 26 years working with clients of all ages who self-harm. Lori has authored four books on the subject, trained school districts and treatment facilities, and appeared alongside Dr. Phil to discuss the link between social media and self-injury in teens.
In this episode:
- Why self-injury is not a suicide attempt...
Elisabeth Gould, Author & Growth Catalyst Coach, Speaking At Her Best | The Jeff Crilley Show
Your harshest critic is usually yourself — so how do you learn to actually love the person in the mirror?
Elisabeth Gould is an author, professional speaker, and Growth Catalyst Coach who runs Speaking At Her Best. She self-published her devotional book, 31 Best Ways to Love Yourself, during the early weeks of COVID in 2020, and she still uses it as her own daily reminder when life gets hard. She's also a Nasdaq futures day trader who recently launched Pretty Girl Swag University (PGSU), a coaching platform aimed at women in corporate America who want to build new income st...
Rosemary Bennett, Ms. Texas Senior America | The Jeff Crilley Show
What happens when a corporate career ends abruptly and a completely different calling shows up?
Rosemary Bennett spent decades in sales leadership before COVID pushed her into involuntary retirement. Struggling to reinvent herself, she took a friend's offhand suggestion and entered the Miss Texas Senior America pageant — something she'd never heard of and had zero experience with. She placed second runner-up the first time, then came back and won the crown in November 2025.
In this conversation with Jeff Crilley, Rosemary talks about rediscovering her identity as a vocal performer after years away from music, what th...
Avi & Nika Dubey, AviNika Jewelry | The Jeff Crilley Show
Most men's jewelry looks the same. Avi and Nika Dubey got tired of that and started making pieces that actually mean something.
Avi and Nika are the husband-and-wife team behind AviNika Jewelry, a custom design house specializing in one-of-a-kind men's rings and statement pieces. Their origin story is personal—Nika designed Avi's wedding ring from scratch after they couldn't find anything meaningful at big-name stores. She comes from a family of artisans; her father makes jewelry in Ukraine and her grandfather has been crafting metal art for over four decades.
In this conversation with Jeff Cr...
Tanya Scott, Life & Executive Coach, Love Is An Inside Job | The Jeff Crilley Show
Tanya Scott started charging kids a quarter for coaching advice on the playground when she was seven years old. Decades later, she's built a career helping leaders, performers, and everyday people move from burnout and brokenness to clarity and resilience.
Tanya is a master certified life and executive coach, a former Tony Robbins senior trainer, and the creator of Love Is An Inside Job and From Rat Race to Sanity. She's trained alongside John Maxwell and Joe Dispenza, worked at Coca-Cola in sales and training, and has over thirty years in the personal development space.
...
Vasili Borissov, CEO | Cool Edge Bits | The Jeff Crilley Show
Because of the war, oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel—and we’re all feeling it every time we pull up to the pump. The reality is, if we can make oil production more efficient and more productive, we have a real opportunity to bring those costs down. That’s exactly why I’m excited about this next conversation. Joining me in the studio is Vasili Borissov, CEO of Cool Edge Bits.
From Last Paycheck to Marketing Hundreds of Businesses | Jon K., CEO of Masterpiece Sites
If your business isn’t easy to find online, you’re already behind. Customers are searching on their phones, scanning reviews, and watching short-form video before they ever walk through your door.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Jon K., CEO & Co-Founder of Masterpiece Sites, a digital marketing agency focused on helping small and mid-sized businesses build a strong online presence. Over the past eight years, Jon has worked with hundreds of clients—from local restaurants and dental clinics to global logistics companies—developing websites, search strategies, and social media systems that dri...
Danielle Hawthorne, Entertainment Host + Co-Founder, Playbook Marketing | The Jeff Crilley Show
How Dallas entertainment host Danielle Hawthorne built a career interviewing the biggest names in Hollywood, then turned her storytelling skills into a business.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with entertainment host and cofounder of Playbook Marketing Danielle Hawthorne to trace her path from an entry-level job at Studio Movie Grill to interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Danielle shares how a last-minute flight to Los Angeles landed her first national junket with Mark Wahlberg and opened the door to years of red carpet conversations with A‑list talent. She reflects on w...
Staci Wright, CEO & Founder, HeartProfit | The Jeff Crilley Show
What if the key to higher performance at work isn’t harder management—but deeper care?
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Staci Wright, CEO & Founder of HeartProfit. A mother of two and serial entrepreneur who has built six businesses over 20 years, including a multi-million-dollar venture, Staci now leads a nonprofit movement focused on transforming workplace culture through compassion-driven leadership.
In this conversation, Staci shares:
- The personal story of her sister’s battle with addiction—and how one caring boss changed everything
- Why the traditional top-down “pyramid” l...
Jennifer Bagley, CEO, CI Web Group | The Jeff Crilley Show
AI isn’t replacing plumbers, roofers, and HVAC technicians—but it is changing how they run their businesses. The companies that adapt are pulling ahead fast.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley talks with Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group and a nationally recognized expert in AI enablement for contractors and service-based businesses. For nearly 20 years, Jennifer has helped trade companies modernize their marketing, operations, and growth strategies. Now she’s leading the charge in bringing practical AI tools to an industry that has historically lagged behind digital trends.
In this conversation, they discuss:
- How...
Blake Lugash, CEO, Realty Capital Partners | The Jeff Crilley Show
Most investors think of stocks and bonds when they hear the word "investing"—but commercial real estate may offer diversification and yield that traditional markets can’t match.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Blake Lugash, CEO of Realty Capital Partners. With more than 30 years of experience in urban real estate development and the successful completion of 15 townhome communities across Texas, Blake leads a firm that partners with developers nationwide to fund opportunistic and value-add commercial projects.
In this conversation, they discuss:
• How Realty Capital Partners mitigates construction, financ...
Dave Barrett, Owner, Heat Wave Lux | The Jeff Crilley Show
Red light therapy is showing up everywhere—from gyms to med spas—but most people don’t know the difference between infrared heat and true therapeutic red light. If you’ve ever wondered whether it actually works, this conversation clears up the confusion.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Dave Barrett, owner of Heat Wave Lux, about what red light therapy really does at the cellular level and why distance from the light source matters more than most people realize. Dave shares how proper red light exposure may support muscle recovery, reduce inflamma...
Dr. Kimberly Olson, CEO | Goal Digger Girl Co | The Jeff Crilley Show
As the owner of a PR firm and a podcast and television network, branding and marketing are at the core of everything I do. That’s why I’m especially excited to welcome my next guest to the studio—Dr. Kimberly Olson, CEO of Goal Digger Girl Co.
Sherry Bronson, AI Trainer & TV Host, Bronson Media | The Jeff Crilley Show
AI isn’t coming someday—it’s already reshaping how businesses write, market, and operate. The question is whether you’ll use it well… or get left behind.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Sherry Bronson, Artificial Intelligence Trainer & Educator, TV host, and founder of Bronson Media. With more than 16 years in television production and media, Sherry now leads Bronson Media Academy, where she helps entrepreneurs and women solopreneurs use AI tools to launch books, build websites, produce video, and automate their businesses.
In this conversation, they discuss:
- How ChatGP...
Kim Fischer, Kim Fischer Collective | The Jeff Crilley Show
I’m especially excited about this episode as I have the opportunity to interview a dear friend and respected professional, Kim Fischer. Kim, founder of Kim Fischer Collective, joins us in the studio, bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in television. It’s truly a pleasure to have her on the show and share her insights with our audience.
WT Greer, Award-Winning Dallas Entertainer & Acclaimed Vocalist | The Jeff Crilley Show
What does it take to build a 40-year music career—and still love the stage? WT Greer has performed for presidents, royalty, and packed arenas, but his journey started with a dare, a tuxedo, and four songs.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with WT Greer, an award-winning Dallas entertainer and acclaimed vocalist who has traveled the world and sung for six U.S. presidents. Known for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence, Greer reflects on the moments that shaped his career and the choices that defined it.
In this ep...
Jim Petersen, PhD, Speaker/Author, J.L. Petersen Inc. | The Jeff Crilley Show
What really makes someone a strong leader—facts, feelings, character, or something else entirely?
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Jim Petersen, PhD—former Navy submarine officer, retired Navy Captain, financial services executive, speaker, and bestselling author. With 22 years of military service and decades in leadership roles, Jim brings a rare mix of discipline, reflection, and practical insight.
In this conversation, they discuss:
- The leadership lessons Jim learned as a nuclear engineer on submarines
- His book The Facts Don’t Matter and the tension between fact-based and fe...
Tori Martin, Country Singer-Songwriter, LuckySky Music | The Jeff Crilley Show
Very few artists make it from small-town stages to the national charts. Country singer-songwriter Tori Martin is building that path one song at a time.
In this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff talks with Tori Martin, a Florida native now based in Texas and Nashville, recording with LuckySky Music. Known for her neo-traditional country sound and “glam cowgirl” style, Tori blends classic country influences with her own modern storytelling voice.
In this conversation, they cover:
- Her early days singing in Texas Opry houses and landing her first paid gigs at 14
- Th...
Mark Bollman IV, Founder & CEO, Ball and Buck | The Jeff Crilley Show
Most of us have bought clothing that looked great online—only to have it fall apart a few months later. What if your wardrobe was built to last decades… and even be passed down?
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with Mark Bollman IV, Founder and CEO of Ball and Buck. Mark started the company in his fraternity house at Babson College in 2008 after getting tired of low-quality products that didn’t hold up. Inspired by years of hunting and time in the field with his father and grandfather, he built a brand...
John J. Clendening & Jeff Baum, Clients First | The Jeff Crilley Show
Dallas–Fort Worth will host more 2026 World Cup matches than any other city in North America. With an estimated $2.1 billion economic impact and millions of visitors expected, the big question is: how can local businesses get a piece of it?
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with John J. Clendening, Founding Principal of Clients First Marketing & Communications, and partner Jeff Baum. Together, they’ve led global marketing and communications teams for seven Fortune 500 companies and are now launching “Team DFW,” a grassroots initiative designed to help small businesses turn World Cup traffic into las...
Brady Zeck, Founder, Trucks for Pups | The Jeff Crilley Show
What can a 17-year-old do to solve a real community problem? In Brady Zeck’s case, he built a nonprofit that’s helping animal rescues get the supplies—and transportation—they desperately need.
Brady Zeck is the founder of Trucks for Pups, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rescuing and transporting dogs in need while supporting animal welfare groups across DFW and beyond. What began as a simple idea at school has grown into a network of more than 300 volunteers providing free labor, logistics, donations, and funding to partner organizations.
In this episode, Brady shares:
- How Tr...
Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO, Barberino's | The Jeff Crilley Show
Men’s grooming has come a long way from the days of a quick shave and a haircut. Today, it’s about confidence, ritual, and showing up well for the people around you.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO of Barberino's, a luxury Italian barbershop brand blending old-world Italian grooming traditions with modern styling. With locations across Italy, New York, Seoul, and now Dallas through Stanley Korshak, Barberino’s is redefining how men approach self-care.\
In this conversation, you’ll learn:Â
- How men’s grooming trends have shifte...
Mad Hatters Tea 2026 | Shane Walker, Reagan Pace & Sheridan Reeder
What happens when high fashion, fine art, and philanthropy collide in one of the most beautiful settings in Texas? You get the Mad Hatters Tea & Luncheon—Dallas’ most fashionable party with a purpose.
On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff welcomes Shane Walker, Stylist to the Stars, along with event chairs Reagan Pace and Sheridan Reeder, to talk about the 38th Annual Mad Hatters Tea benefiting A Woman’s Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Founded in 1989, the event supports the only garden in the United States designed for women, dedicated to women, and funded by the wo...
Lorraine Friedman, Incoming Executive Director, Southwest Jewish Congress | The Jeff Crilley Show
What if one organization could bring together civic leaders, faith communities, artists, and advocates—all to build a stronger Dallas? In this episode, we spotlight a nonprofit that’s doing exactly that.
Lorraine Friedman, Incoming Executive Director of the Southwest Jewish Congress, joins Jeff Crilley to share how the organization is building bridges across North Texas through education, empowerment, and recognition of community leaders. With a mission centered on action and impact, Southwest Jewish Congress has become a catalyst for collaboration across cultures and faiths.
In this episode, we discuss:Â
- The “three E” mission...
Chris LaTurno, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Dallas | The Jeff Crilley Show
Financial literacy and career readiness aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential life skills. With consumer debt at record highs and many Americans unprepared for financial emergencies, the need to equip students early has never been greater.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Chris LaTurno, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas. Since 1954, JA Dallas has been inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy through hands-on programs in financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:Â
• How JA’s BizTown and Finance Park simulations give students...
Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO, Barberino's | The Jeff Crilley Show
Men’s grooming has come a long way from the days of a quick shave and a haircut. Today, it’s about confidence, ritual, and showing up well for the people around you.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Michele Callegari, Co Founder & CEO of Barberino's, a luxury Italian barbershop brand blending old-world Italian grooming traditions with modern styling. With locations across Italy, New York, Seoul, and now Dallas through Stanley Korshak, Barberino’s is redefining how men approach self-care.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:Â
- How men’s grooming trends have shifte...
Tamara Velsher, President, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in the USA (UCC) | The Jeff Crilley Show
When the headlines fade, the need for unity doesn’t. As the war in Ukraine continues, communities here in North Texas are finding meaningful ways to stand together.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Tamara Velsher, President and CEO of the U.S. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. After moving to the U.S. in the early 2000s, Tamara saw how different nationalities often lived and worked in isolation.Â
She founded the Chamber to bring cultures together, support business growth, and create a stronger, more connected multicultural community.
In this conversation, we discuss:Â
•...
Tia Ellis, Founder & CEO, Wildflower Insight | The Jeff Crilley Show
Getting your product into Walmart, H-E-B, Costco, or Walgreens isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about mastering the retail buyer pitch.
In this episode, Jeff Crilley sits down with Tia Ellis, Founder & CEO of Wildflower Insight, a retail strategist who has helped founders sell over $200 million worth of products across all 50 states. After working on the broker side of the industry, Tia now teaches CPG founders how to pitch retail buyers themselves and land purchase orders—without relying on middlemen.
In this conversation, we cover:Â
- The “Golden Retail Rule” and w...