This week, I catch up with a former boss, Cleveland Cavaliers television producer, Brent Valenti. Brent has produced live Cavalier basketball for the last fifteen years. I served on his home crew for years in the truck.

We talk leadership, how to make it in sports television, what to learn from failure, and how to keep a family together while you're spending time on the road.

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Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

ESPN Director, Adam Bryant, joins me this week on the call, as we talk what it takes to work in sports broadcasting, being an African-American in the tv industry, and you'll hear my old nickname with the worldwide leader.

Adam has directed some of the biggest events in sports, from the NBA Playoffs to the WNBA Finals, bowl games, and all kinds of other events.

You can hear him talk about his start in tv from cold calling tv stations in the yellow pages to today.

A great director, but an even better person. Take a listen to this week's call.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

On part two of our fascinating call, Dr. Grady talks about how she went from grad school to getting a full-time professor role, the impact of AI on higher ed, her amazing work with corrections ed, and some great career wisdom.

You'll also hear about my ridiculous freshman comp story at Ohio University.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

Dr. Maura Grady joins me this week as we talk about higher ed careers, but also more than that as usual. It's not just her career path to higher ed, but what she learned along the way about herself, how to not attach outcomes to identity, and what drove her to English. All of this and more in part one of a two week conversation with one of the best and smartest people you'll find anywhere.

The truth is that both Maura and her husband, Tim, have taught me so many things. They've done so like all good teachers do, without judgment or "condescending me" (that's a movie quote for those of you out there, b/c Dr. Grady also teaches about such things).

Also, a talk with a college professor who teaches on movies had to be dubbed with the line from the higher ed classic, Animal House.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

If you can’t be yourself in the interview… you don’t want the job.

This episode is a real conversation about authenticity, career alignment, and why so many people feel stuck in work that doesn’t fit.

We get into:

• Red flags in interviews (on both sides)
• Why people change jobs more than ever
• The danger of tying identity to your title
• How to actually find meaningful work

No fluff. Just honest perspective.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

Every once in a while you meet someone who reminds you that the most meaningful work does not come with a flashy title. It comes through presence, curiosity, and the ability to truly listen.

Matt Trukovich is a barber, but what happens in his chair goes far beyond a haircut. From factory floors to cleaning bathrooms to running an MMA promotion, his journey is built on saying yes to opportunities others might overlook. Along the way, he has developed a philosophy rooted in purpose, empathy, and the dignity of all work.

In this conversation, we explore identity, masculinity, growth, and what it means to build a life with intention. Matt shares how travel reshaped his worldview, why many men struggle with purpose, and how learning to “enjoy the toil” can change everything.

This episode is about more than a career. It is about becoming the kind of person who shows up, listens well, and keeps evolving.

If you have ever wondered what your work really means or where your path is heading, this one will stick with you.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

Ashley Davis joins the Caller ID Podcast to share her journey from intern to full-time HR Generalist at School Specialty—and what the transition from college to the professional world actually feels like.

In this conversation, Ashley reflects on how her internship at the Career Center for Life Calling at Ashland University helped shape her direction, the moment she realized HR—and especially recruiting—was the right fit, and how mentorship played a key role in her growth from a quiet freshman into a confident young professional.

We talk about the realities of starting your first full-time job, navigating uncertainty, handling rejection, and building a resume that actually opens doors. Ashley also offers a candid perspective on Gen Z in the workplace and why young professionals deserve opportunity, not stereotypes.

If you’re a student, recent graduate, or someone trying to figure out your next step, this episode will give you both clarity and encouragement.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

In Part 2 of this conversation, B.Davis and Dr. Jason Barnhart turn to the topic of friendship and the challenge of being truly known. Drawing from Jason’s upcoming book, they explore why meaningful friendships can feel so difficult, especially for men, and how our tendency to fix rather than listen gets in the way of real connection.

Jason shares personal stories about vulnerability, emotional growth, and the role friendships play in shaping who we become. They also connect friendship back to calling, showing how deep relationships are essential to understanding ourselves and living with purpose.

This episode is an honest look at what it takes to build lasting, meaningful friendships and why it matters more than we often admit.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.