Small Stones Podcast

Incremental change leads to real growth in life and business. Join Business Coach Andrew Schory and his guests as they explore personal and professional growth as leaders and discuss current marketplace trends.

Small Stones Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Andrew Schory, with 29 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Andrew Schory hosts Small Stones Podcast, a business show with 29 episodes published.

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  Episode #29

  Marty Fulkerson, Executive Pastor

  Oct 6, 202625 min

  Episode Summary In this episode of the Small Stones Podcast, host Andrew Schory sits down with Marty Fulkerson — Executive Pastor at Grace Heartland Church, Elizabethtown City Council Member, President of the Hardin County Fair Board, licensed realtor, and auctioneer. Marty is a true community servant whose career has spanned radio, marketing, small business ownership, banking, real estate, auctioneering, public service, and now ministry. The conversation covers the business side of running a church, what effective local government really looks like, how faith and public service are more alike than different, and the personal journey from sitting in the pews to genuinely walking with Christ. A warm, wide-ranging conversation about giving, serving, and leaving your community better than you found it. Guest Information About Marty Fulkerson Marty E. Fulkerson has built a life defined by service across nearly every sector of his community. His career has taken him through radio broadcasting, marketing, small business ownership, commercial banking, real estate, auctioneering, and public service — and he currently serves as Executive Pastor at Grace Heartland Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. As Executive Pastor, Marty handles the full operational side of the church: finance, HR, vendor contracts, budgeting, insurance, and building and grounds management. His role allows the lead pastor to focus entirely on shepherding, counseling, sermons, and discipleship — a model Marty believes makes churches more effective and believes should be emulated even in smaller congregations through strong board and elder support. Marty is also an elected member of the Elizabethtown City Council and is currently in his 32nd year on the Hardin County Fair Board, where he serve s as president. Episode Outline 00:56 — The Hardin County Fair Board: 32 Years of Community Stewardship • Marty is in his 32nd year on the Hardin County Fair Board, currently serving as president since 2019 • Previously served as treasurer and vice president before stepping into the top role • The fairgrounds as a community asset: circuses, FFA safety days, sheriff's office drone training, tractor pulls, and the official home cross-country course for Central Hardin High School 02:06 — Becoming an Executive Pastor: A Call He Never Saw Coming • Marty was working as a commercial lender and serving as chair of the elder board at Grace Heartland when he felt a deep, unnamed restlessness • "I've got a real good paying job, got a wonderful family, been very blessed. But what's going on inside me?" • Lead Pastor Jeff Dolwes told him: "God's got a calling on your life" • The board asked him to step out of a meeting — then invited him to join as Executive Pastor 03:37 — What an Executive Pastor Actually Does • Marty covers the full operational side of the church: finance, HR, contracts, vendor negotiations, budget, insurance, building and grounds • The purpose: free the lead pastor to focus entirely on shepherding — sickness, death, weddings, counseling, sermons, discipleship, and small groups • Smaller churches without a dedicated exec pastor should lean heavily on their board of deacons or elders to absorb that load • Most seminary-trained pastors received no formal business, finance, or contract training — and shouldn't have to 06:00 — Bridging the Business Brain and the Ministry Brain • The tension between running a financially sound operation and the spiritual call to give, serve, and trust • "When finances are tight, He has never not come through" • The risk of cutting expenses: in a church, cutting expenses often means cutting ministries — the very thing that brings people in • A vivid example: an unexpected AC unit failure, a person in need of rent help, and an anonymous gift that covered both the next day • The call to be good stewards while trusting that God will provide — living by faith, not just preaching it 09:20 — What Effective Local Government Looks Like • Marty first tried to run for magistrate at age 21 — and was told by County Judge Executive R.R. "Babe" Thomas that he was too young (the minimum age was 24) • Babe Thomas took him to lunch and gave him foundational advice: make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time • It's also okay to change a decision when new information comes in — integrity isn't stubbornness 10:43 — Why He's Always Been Drawn to Public Service • A desire instilled by mentors and givers who gave not just financially, but of their time and talent • "We want to leave this world better" — a driving philosophy across every role Marty has held • The desire isn't personal gain; it's genuinely trying to help the community grow in the best direction 12:37 — Making a City Council Work: Shared Vision, Private Debate • The Elizabethtown council works from Mayor Gregory's shared vision — council members understand the direction before meetings begin • Lots of pre-meeting discussion, debate, and alternative path evaluation happens before any public vote • Six council members with diverse backgrounds and passions, plus Mayor Gregory and City Administrator Ed Pope — all working it out 14:03 — How Church and City Government Inform Each Other • Both are fundamentally about service — the question is always how to serve people most effectively • Church: serving members, reaching the lost, lightening the load for those struggling • City government: providing services efficiently, meeting citizens' needs • The mayor has regularly reached out to local churches when community needs arise — and they've answered every time • A strong partnership between the city, nonprofits, agencies, and churches is already working in Elizabethtown 16:25 — Radio, Play-by-Play & a Love of Sports • Marty got his start in radio through public address announcing at North Hardin High School basketball games • That led to a play-by-play career alongside broadcasters Dick Curtis and Ron Boone, mentored by Tom Stevens • Favorite sport: basketball (first love), now also football thanks to his son Dawson • How Dawson's love of the NBA pulled Marty into watching games and attending them — then football united them further 18:53 — How He Became an Auctioneer • Taught himself to chant as a kid — just thought it was interesting • While running a sign company, he did signage for a local auctioneer — and started chanting when the auctioneer came to pick them up • The auctioneer asked if he'd been to auction school. He hadn't. "That's pretty good." • Went on to earn his apprentice and principal auctioneer license 20:33 — What He Knows Now That He Wishes He'd Known 25 Years Ago • A deeper relationship with Christ — not just belief, but genuine daily relationship • "I was baptized in 1990 and came to the Lord, but never had a relationship" • His wife R h onda's daily example of walking with Christ changed everything for him • The difference between being a Christian and having a relationship with Christ: like the difference between a work acquaintance and your closest family • "If you're just sitting in the pews, checking the box, and not really having a relationship — you're missing so much more" 22:43 — Speed Round Books & Resources Mentioned • The Mission Always Wins by Tod Bolsinger — on staying mission-focused • Grace Is Greater by Kyle Idleman — on the power and reach of grace in every circumstance • Samuel Haycraft's History of Elizabethtown — local Elizabethtown history; currently reading Host & Show Info Andrew Schory — Host Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results, no matter the size of their business. He is a second-generation family business owner who brings deep operational experience and a passion for authentic leadership to every conversation. Community • Visit smallstonespodcast.com to join the mailing list and subscribe to future episodes • Schedule a custom one-on-one or group coaching session with Andrew Schory at smallstonespodcast.com

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  Episode #28

  Kyle Eberts, Crew Restoration and Construction

  Sep 29, 202633 min

  Episode Summary In this episode of the Small Stones Podcast, host Andrew Schory sits down with Kyle Eberts, President of Crew Restoration & Construction, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. With over 10 years in restoration and construction and a 20-year background in sales — including an early career as a stockbroker — Kyle brings a unique perspective to business leadership. The conversation dives deep into the mental side of running a business: how to meet clients at their lowest moments with empathy and expertise, how to read personality types to lead and sell more effectively, how daily short-form meetings can transform team culture, and why sharing your failures as a leader may be the most powerful thing you can do. Kyle also opens up about discovering meditation, learning from John Maxwell, and the habit of re-reading a great book rather than chasing the next one. Guest Information About Kyle Eberts Kyle Eberts is the President of Crew Restoration & Construction, a full-service, one-stop-shop restoration and reconstruction company serving the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. With over 10 years in the restoration industry, Crew handles everything from the initial mitigation of fire, storm, and water damage all the way through complete reconstruction — and stays with the client throughout the entire insurance claims process. Before entering the restoration world, Kyle spent the early part of his career as a stockbroker, developing the financial acumen, client relationship skills, and fiduciary mindset that now inform how he runs a business dealing regularly with six- and seven-figure insurance claims. He has spent 20 years in sales environments and has become a keen reader of personality types — using that skill to lead his team, train his staff, and serve clients who are often in the most disorienting moments of their lives. Contact & Connect Website: Crew3r.com Episode Outline 00:00 — Introduction • Overview of Crew's one-stop-shop model in the Sioux Falls, SD area — restoration through reconstruction, 10+ years in business 01:12 — Serving Clients at Their Lowest Moments • Crew meets clients after fires, storms, and severe water damage — among the most emotionally disorienting events in a person's life • "This is not a structure or a piece of real estate to them. This is their home. This is their kingdom." • How Crew's social media presence and reputation set the mental framework before the first call • Putting clients at ease: sharing past experience and clear protocols from the very first interaction 02:24 — Navigating the Insurance Process for Clients • Crew stays with the customer through the entire insurance claims process — a key differentiator • Nearly 80% of Crew's clients have never filed an insurance claim before — they don't speak the language • Crew becomes the liaison between the adjuster and the consumer • Strict documentation and parameters on both sides; insurance companies are generally here to help but operate within tight boundaries • Crew's commitment: "We will not charge the customer if we can't get the insurance company to pay" • The gray area of "like kind and quality" — replacing 1976 materials with today's code-compliant equivalents 07:39 — From Stockbroker to Restoration CEO • Kyle's early career in finance gave him a fiduciary mindset that directly applies to restoration • Both worlds require deep expertise paired with the ability to communicate with clients who don't share that expertise • Crew regularly handles $100K–$1M+ claims — finance matters • "The stock brokerage world and the world I'm in today isn't that much different" 10:41 — Math, Estimating & Letting Go of Control as You Scale • Kyle describes himself as a poor math student — but an excellent real-world numbers thinker • As the business has grown, estimating has moved to a dedicated department • Empowering team members to operate as "entrepreneurs" within their own departments • "You really get to see people flourish" — the joy of watching people rise to ownership thinking 12:37 — Building an Ownership Culture • Culture starts with the individual's fire and passion — you can't install it; you can only build on it • "If there's no fire and passion to begin with, there's nothing to build off of" • How Kyle identifies passion in potential hires and team members 14:15 — Reading Personality Types: The Mental Side of Sales & Leadership • 20 years in sales has made Kyle an expert at quickly identifying personality types • Different personalities require fundamentally different training and management approaches • The best leaders and teachers change their style to match who they're teaching • Understanding learning styles — verbal, visual, kinesthetic — and why the secondary style often matters most 17:38 — Creating a Culture Where People Disagree with the Boss • Kyle's honest admission: his team doesn't push back on him enough • The problem with "yes boss" culture — walking out of the room and privately dismissing an idea • Meeting structure as the key to surfacing real, friendly disagreement 19:17 — Meeting Culture • Almost every department at Crew meets almost every day — but meetings are short (10–15 minutes) • Meetings are held over Zoom so every participant is at their own workstation — turning them into working meetings • The daily cadence eliminates random interruptions — no more "got a minute?" moments • When a meeting is skipped, you're only missing 24 hours of connection, not weeks • Daily contact builds genuine familiarity — making difficult conversations easier when they arise • "Bad stuff's going to happen. If I know how to present the bad stuff to you where you can absorb it — it's not a combative fight anymore" 24:10 — Learning from Failure & Sharing It with Your Team • "I have never learned anything from winning" • John Maxwell's Law of the Buy-In — and related laws on failure — as a framework • Leaders who only share their successes cause team members to feel isolated in their own failures • The mental hurdle of failure: once you can get past it, you can put things in perspective • Saying you're sorry as a leader: "There's nothing more important than us saying we're sorry" • The shock employees feel when a boss actually apologizes — and how powerful that moment is 25:45 — Meditation, Slowing the Mind & Making Better Decisions • Kyle and his wife started a meditation practice in the last quarter • "A slow mind makes great decisions. A fast mind makes poor decisions because it's hostile" • It took Kyle a full quarter just to slow down enough to do it properly • Training the mind to slow down means when chaos hits, the skill is already there 29:51 — Speed Round Books & Resources Mentioned • Good to Great by Jim Collins — Kyle's most impactful business book • Simple Numbers 2.0: Rules for Smart Scaling by Greg Crabtree — currently reading; simplifies accounting principles for business owners • Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni — the foundation of Crew's daily meeting culture Host & Show Info Andrew Schory — Host Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results, no matter the size of their business. He is a second-generation family business owner who brings deep operational experience and a passion for authentic leadership to every conversation. Community & Connect • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it. • Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session. • Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com • Connect with Kyle Eberts and Crew Restoration & Construction at Crew3r.com

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  Episode #27

  JP Engelbrecht, CEO, South Central Inc.

  Sep 22, 202631 min

  Episode Summary In this episode of the Small Stones Podcast, host Andrew Schory sits down with JP Engelbrecht, CEO of South Central Inc., a family office with diverse investments. JP opens up about the power of mentorship, the role of faith and values in his leadership, what it takes to build a nationally recognized board of directors, and how becoming a pilot taught him to lead with calm, clarity, and focus. A compelling conversation about authentic leadership, human dignity, and staying grounded in what matters most. Guest Information About JP Engelbrecht JP Engelbrecht is the CEO of South Central Inc. (SCI), a family office with a 25+ year track record of acquiring, owning, and operating businesses across a wide range of industries. JP 's journey started with SCI's legacy assets in radio, television, and audiovisual services — and he never shied away from an adventure along the way, whether that meant climbing 1,000-foot radio towers in the mountains of Tennessee, pulling graveyard shifts as a classic rock DJ, or borrowing $750,000 at age 19 to buy his first business while still a student at Xavier University. Following graduation, JP was quickly thrust into the leadership of SCI at age 22 due to his father's health issues. With a first-generation mentality and a constant drive for improvement, he has successfully led SCI into a new and diversified era of investments spanning manufacturing, fire protection, healthcare, banking, and real estate. As an executive, JP has experience with all manner of transactions while serving the companies under the SCI umbrella. He is also credited with building a first-class, independent board of directors that won Small Business Board of the Year from Directors & Boards Magazine. JP has previously served in leadership roles with the Evansville Regional Business Committee, Evansville Airport, Evansville Commerce Bank, Junior Achievement, the National Association of Corporate Directors, and the International Planned Music Association. JP and his wife, Allison, have four children and live in Evansville, IN, where they are deeply involved in the Catholic Church at Holy Rosary Catholic Parish, Reitz Memorial Catholic High School, and the Evansville Chapter of Legatus. He is a licensed pilot and is reminded of his true priorities every day by his license plate — CHFCP: Catholic, Husband, Father, CEO, Pilot. Contact Website: www.southcentralinc.com Episode Outline 00:00 — Introduction • Andrew Schory welcomes listeners to the Small Stones Podcast • Introduction of JP Engelbrecht, CEO of South Central Inc. • Overview of South Central Inc.'s history in radio, television, and AV services — now a diversified family office 01:07 — JP's Origin Story as a Business Leader • "Coin operated as a child" — figured out early that work earned money and independence • Grew up in the family broadcasting business — "It was showbiz, it was magic" • Took over the business at 22, just two months out of college, when his father faced health issues • Leaned on senior executives and an existing board of directors during the early years 02:35 — Overcoming the Challenges of Family Business Leadership • At 16, his father told him to seek mentors outside the family — unusual but formative advice • How that early counsel gave him permission to look outward for guidance • At 46, still figuring out his leadership style • The value of lifelong learning and continuous growth as a leader 04:22 — Early Mentors Who Shaped Him • Brother John Stout — English teacher at Memorial High School; funny, curious, got JP interested in Chaucer • Brother Eugene Philip — stoic, disciplined, Germanic; a mirror of JP 's own drive • Mace Brockla — chemistry teacher who spent two weeks teaching art history; broadened JP 's worldview • Craig Jacobus — hired at 23 to run the radio group; became one of JP 's most influential mentors despite JP being his boss • "Leadership and mentorship and kindness can come from any place" 08:14 — Knowing Who NOT to Listen To • The "fancy finance folks" — those who crush numbers and chase carry; a longtime source of insecurity • Friend Kyle Fields: "You hire people like me. You're not supposed to be that way." • The danger of surrounding yourself with the wrong crowd and chasing someone else's identity • The ongoing work of understanding and owning your authentic self 11:05 — What JP Looks for When Investing or Acquiring a Business • Current portfolio: Janus Fire Systems, FiberTech Plastics, and Spiral Health • "Leadership is the sword and the stone" — the single most important factor • Every gain and every loss traces back to leadership quality • Must either find great leadership already in place or be able to solve for it — otherwise, walk away 13:08 — Identifying Great Leaders • Character: doing things for the right reasons • Clarity: "Clarity is worth a thousand IQ points" — Ram Charan • Leaders who can see through the mist, set direction, and move the organization forward • The cost of endless committee meetings and decision paralysis 15:19 — Building a Nationally Recognized Board of Directors • South Central has had a board since JP 's father launched one in the 1970s • JP 's innovation: increasing outside directors, building through personal relationship • Process: get to know people, ask if they'd explore a board seat — no pressure, just conversation • Uses a matrix to avoid over-weighting any one expertise (e.g., finance) • Currently 6 outside directors and JP as the only insider • Faith foundation is a key screen: stewardship, not ownership; doing this for God's kingdom • Monthly written reports, quarterly in-person board meetings 18:59 — Catholic Faith as the Foundation of Leadership • Human dignity is the core principle — all people are made in the image and likeness of God • References Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on the dignity of human workers in the age of AI • "GSD" (Get Stuff Done) — work is good, noble, and honorable • Running a business with love and respect does not mean running a country club • Called to serve and take care of the people entrusted to him 21:28 — Aviation and the Lessons of the Cockpit • Learned to fly to be home more for his family while still meeting business travel demands • "It was never a passion; it was a means to an end" — then discovered he was good at it • Flying requires complete compartmentalization: sick kid, business crisis — all of it must wait • The cockpit teaches focused, controlled decision-making — exactly what leadership demands • "If you're flipping out, everybody else is going to freak out. This is not okay." 24:03 — Family, Work-Life Balance & Priorities • License plate: C H F C P — Catholic, Husband, Father, CEO, Pilot — in priority order • Keeps old license plates on the back of his desk — plans to give one to each child as a reminder • Golf (not on the license plate) as a humorous reminder to keep things in perspective • Physical reminders help him return to the right order when priorities drift 27:02 — Speed Round 29:19 — JP's Final Thought: The Call to Leadership • Leadership = Influence (John Maxwell's definition) • Everyone is capable of leadership — coaching a little league team, leading a work team, shaping a family • "It is one of the great calls of this life" • The gentle nudge of influence is available to all of us Books & Resources Mentioned • The Go-Giver by Bob Burg — JP 's most impactful book (outside the Bible); on generosity and value-creation • Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins — currently reading; a 35-year-old classic, recently updated • No Man's Land: Where Growing Companies Fail by Doug Tatum — next on JP 's reading list • Ram Charan — leadership consultant and author; quoted: "Clarity is worth a thousand IQ points" • John Maxwell — leadership author; quoted: "Leadership is one word: influence" Host & Show Info Andrew Schory — Host Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions that lead to meaningful results, no matter the size of their business. He is a second-generation family business owner who brings personal experience — including the challenges and lessons of family business leadership — to every conversation. Community • Visit smallstonespodcast.com to join the mailing list and subscribe to future episodes • Schedule a custom one-on-one or group coaching session with Andrew Schory at smallstonespodcast.com • Share this episode with someone who leads — or wants to lead — at any level Small Stones Podcast Website

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  Episode #25

  Clark Hewitt, Associate Pastor, Grace Heartland Church

  Sep 8, 202629 min

  Episode Summary Clark Hewitt wanted to be a sports medicine professional. God had other plans. Thirty years later, Clark is the Associate Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Heartland Church in Elizabethtown — leading teams of teenagers on domestic and international mission trips, building systems that scale disorganized passion into repeatable ministry, and learning, often the hard way, that the leader in his fifties is very different from the one who started in 1995. In this episode, Andrew Schory and Clark dig into how to build teams where people find their right fit, the difference between coming to a solution and needing to win, why weaknesses don't have to stay weaknesses, and what it looks like to create the kind of quiet space where God can speak to a kid who's been too noisy to hear Him. Guest Information Guest Name: Clark Hewitt, Associate Pastor, Grace Heartland Church Bio: Clark Hewitt is the Associate Pastor of Grace Heartland Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he has served since June 1995. He completed graduate school ministry training and has spent the thirty years since learning — often the hard way — the lessons that formal training doesn't teach: leading teams well, communicating clearly, taking decisive action, and building reliable, repeatable systems to work around his own shortcomings. Clark is passionate about long-term leadership and the kind of deep trust that only comes from staying in one place for decades. He leads domestic and international mission trips for students each year and is deeply committed to creating the kind of quiet, serving environment where teenagers encounter God in ways the four walls of a church cannot replicate. Website: graceheartland.org Email: clark@graceheartland.org Episode Outline A Calling He Almost Talked Himself Out Of (00:37) Clark wanted to work in sports medicine — and convinced himself the ministry calling he sensed in high school wasn't real. By the summer before his senior year of college, God made it clear enough that Clark hasn't questioned it since. He has been at Grace Heartland since June 1995, and describes the thirty years that followed as a graduate course in the things seminary doesn't teach: leading teams, communicating well, and building systems that cover for your own weaknesses. Building a Ministry Team Like an Orchestra (01:33) Clark's team philosophy starts with a simple premise: different players need different roles, and the job of leadership is to match people to the shape of their gifts rather than force everyone into the same mold. His youth ministry uses co-leaders to balance teaching-focused and relationship-focused styles — and on Wednesday nights, kids self-select which table leader they sit with for the whole year. The result: kids find the leader whose temperament fits them, and leaders find their people. Clark's insight: not over-structuring is itself a structure. How Success Earns Freedom — and How to Scale What Works (05:05) Clark's ability to serve on the worship team while youth ministry runs in another building didn't happen overnight. It was built on years of demonstrated fruit, on coverage teams whose quality was so high that "coverage" was an understatement, and on longevity — the accumulated trust that comes from showing up and doing it well over time. Andrew ties this to a scalability principle: a ministry or business that depends entirely on one person isn't scalable. Redundancy and repeatable systems are what make growth possible. Winning vs. Solving: The Leadership Shift That Took Decades (10:41) Clark identifies one of his clearest areas of growth: learning the difference between needing to win a disagreement and working toward a solution. In his twenties and thirties, conflicts could tip into personal victories — getting what he wanted instead of finding what was right. Over time, he developed the patience to listen, understand what someone really wants, and sometimes be the one who moves toward them rather than holding his position. In relational ministry, he notes, stacking up wins at the cost of people is a losing strategy. ADHD, Disorganization, and the Systems That Saved Him (14:19) Clark is candid about a significant early weakness: disorganization and the absence of systems in a growing ministry. His natural bent toward ADHD meant he was juggling too many things mentally and dropping more than he noticed. The solution wasn't to fix the tendency — it was to build systems around it: shared notes, checklists, check-your-work habits, and communication rhythms that made it harder for things to fall through the cracks. What started as a weakness, he says, has become a genuine strength. 44 Teenagers on a Mission Trip: What It's Really About (15:37) Clark's motivation for mission trips is deeply personal: a crisis in his early twenties — the loss of a close friend, a season of searching — culminated during a mission trip where God felt near and the path ahead became clear. He has spent three decades trying to recreate that setting for students. The goal is not efficient labor (he acknowledges it's cheaper to send money and hire skilled workers) but the environment: outdoor, quiet, serving — a space where a heart that has been too noisy to hear God might finally hear Him. This year's domestic trip took 44 teenagers and 12 adults. The international trip the previous year took 46. Building a Mission Trip System: Safety, Scope, and Relationships That Last (21:13) The mission trip model has evolved considerably since the early days. Clark no longer puts kids on roofs — 85% of home repair requests in Eastern Kentucky involve roofing, and the cumulative risk wasn't worth it. Current projects focus on ramps, steps, siding, and insulation: meaningful, safe, and within the team's skill set. What has stayed constant is the relational dimension: Clark is taking a group back in December to visit an older woman they served this summer, whose joy at hearing from the kids again was enough to make the trip worthwhile on its own. Speed Round Highlights (23:54) Books Mentioned • Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend — Clark's most impactful read — on defining where you end and another person's struggles begin, and how that clarity enables deeper, more sustainable care • Jesus Calling by Sarah Young — Clark's current daily devotional — short, presence-focused reflections available in a journal format; particularly suited for morning routines How to Support Grace Heartland's Youth Ministry • Pray — Clark's specific ask: pray for Christian students and teachers at the start of the school year to live out their faith boldly. Schools are a mission field. • Connect with Grace Heartland — visit graceheartland.org or download the Grace Heartland app to explore the ministry. • Follow on social media — Clark's youth ministry maintains its own accounts within Grace Heartland's social presence. Host & Show Info Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time. Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com Community • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it. • Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session. • Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com Share this episode with a ministry leader, a volunteer, a parent of a teenager, or anyone who has ever wondered whether staying in one place for the long haul is worth it.

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  Episode #24

  Jeff Gregory, Mayor, City of Elizabethtown

  Sep 1, 202632 min

  Episode Summary Jeff Gregory is a third-generation Elizabethtown native, a 22-year Kentucky State Police veteran, and the mayor of Elizabethtown, Kentucky — a city that has grown from 14,000 residents to nearly 37,000 on his watch. In this episode, Andrew Schory and Jeff sit down for a candid conversation about what a mayor actually does, how Elizabethtown navigates the growing pains of a city that serves as the regional hub for ten surrounding counties, how city and county government differ, and what Jeff has learned about leadership, humility, and getting out of good people's way. It's a conversation about city building, public trust, and the principle that's driven eight years in office: stay humble, and remember you're only as strong as your team. Guest Information Guest Name: Jeff Gregory, Mayor, City of Elizabethtown, Kentucky Bio: Jeff Gregory is the Mayor of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, first elected in November 2018 and now serving his second term. A third-generation Etonian with deep roots in Hardin County — Jeff spent 22 years in law enforcement, retiring from the Kentucky State Police in 2018 before stepping into the mayor's office. Under his leadership, Elizabethtown has grown to nearly 37,000 residents, built a Steel Grove Amphitheater (opening spring 2027), expanded its industrial base to more than 12,000 jobs, and invested in the public safety, infrastructure, and nonprofit partnerships that serve both residents and the tens of thousands of daily visitors from surrounding counties. Jeff is married to Melissa and is the father of four children: Jay, Ryder, Harper, and Emerson. City of Elizabethtown: elizabethtownky.gov Episode Outline From Trooper to Mayor: Why Jeff Gregory Ran for Office (00:35) Jeff traces a path rooted in three generations of Elizabethtown civic life. He always assumed he'd run for sheriff — until John Ward, his State Police post commander and close friend, had that role well in hand. When the mayoral opportunity emerged, he ran in 2018 and won. He describes the transition from law enforcement to elected office as a natural one: both roles, at their core, are about dealing with people, finding solutions, and making a community safer. The main difference? In law enforcement, he could dictate where a difficult encounter ended. In the mayor's chair, sometimes you just have to take what you get and keep working. 14,000 to 37,000: What Growth Really Costs a City (02:20) Elizabethtown has more than doubled in population since Jeff was a teenager, and the pace has accelerated. Growth brings amenities — the Etown Sports Park, the Steel Grove Amphitheater, expanded retail, regional healthcare, and a community college — but also genuine infrastructure strain. Stormwater is the challenge Jeff names first: Elizabethtown sits in a historic valley with streams and creeks woven throughout, and microburst rains of five inches in two hours are now arriving three to four times a year. Systems designed for a smaller city aren't keeping up, and infrastructure investment is a constant priority. Mt. Pilot to Ten Mayberries: Understanding E-Town's Regional Role (05:29) Jeff's most clarifying framing of the episode: Elizabethtown is the Mt. Pilot to ten surrounding Mayberries. Meade, Breckenridge, Grayson, Nelson, Hart, Larue, and other counties come to Elizabethtown for healthcare, education, employment, and the amenities that residents of those communities once drove to Louisville to access. The city's official population is roughly 37,000 — but its daytime population is estimated at close to 100,000. Traffic congestion is not simply a growth problem; it is a regional hub problem, and the distinction matters for how city leadership plans and communicates. CEO and Board of Directors: How the Mayor and City Council Work (07:47) Jeff's framing is clear and practical: the mayor is the CEO; the city council is the board of directors. The council passes ordinances and signs off on municipal orders; the mayor executes and leads the team that implements. What makes it work is communication — Jeff makes a point of ensuring every council member hears about upcoming decisions before a formal meeting, so they have time to form a position rather than being surprised. His principle: when the legislative body and the executive body are not getting along, the whole organization is unproductive. He will not let that happen. Homelessness, Food Insecurity, and the Limits of Government (12:51) Elizabethtown invests approximately $550,000 annually in local nonprofits — Helping Hand of Hope, Hope Academy, Feeding America, Warm Blessings, Room in the Inn, and others — to address homelessness and food insecurity. Jeff is candid about two things: throwing money at a problem rarely makes it go away, and managing the political divide between constituents who want more intervention and those who see it as wasteful is a constant challenge. His frame is economic as well as humanitarian: the goal is to move people from below the tax bracket to above it, so they are contributing rather than drawing. A coordinated plan for how the city, police department, and nonprofits will work together is close to being announced. "Let Them Eat": How Jeff Builds and Leads His Team (23:37) Jeff's philosophy of leadership comes through clearly in how he deflects credit. He describes his city clerk, city administrator, city attorney, marketing director, and business development director as among the best in the state — and says the one thing he can genuinely take credit for is going out and finding them. His analogy: a great coach's job is made easy by great players. Once you have them, you let them eat — you get out of their way and let them use their talents. Andrew and Jeff connect this to their shared experience as teammates, and to the coaches who modeled it for both of them growing up. Trust the Process: What Jeff Asks of Elizabethtown's Citizens (27:57) Jeff's ask of the community is direct: participate, and trust. His record includes no scandals, no misappropriation, and a clear commitment to saying what they will do and doing it — and owning it when they get something wrong. In a national environment where distrust of government is at an all-time high, Jeff believes that consistent honesty and transparency are the only long-term answer. If you have a concern, come see him. If you don't like something after it's done, come see him. He'll explain the process. Andrew adds the frame: assume positive intent. Speed Round Highlights (25:44) Books Mentioned • Good to Great by Jim Collins — Jeff's most impactful leadership read; he keeps a copy on his desk and applies its principles to city government, aiming for great while knowing perfect is the real target How to Get Involved in Elizabethtown • Serve on a city board or commission • Volunteer at city events — the event staff can always use help, especially as the city's calendar continues to grow. • Bring your skills to the table — call the mayor's office and let them know what you can offer. • Trust the process — and if you have concerns, go directly to the source. Jeff's door is open. Learn more about the City of Elizabethtown at elizabethtownky.gov Host & Show Info Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time. Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com Communit y • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it. • Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session. • Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com Share this episode with anyone who lives in or loves Elizabethtown, or with any leader who needs a reminder that the best thing you can do for a great team is get out of their way and let them go.

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