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.

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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.

In this episode, B. Davis sits down with Dr. Jason Barnhart, Professor of Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary, to explore how our sense of calling is shaped over time. Jason shares his journey from youth ministry to the classroom and reflects on how theology, worldview, and life experience all play a role in forming identity.

Together, they unpack what it really means to “listen to your life” and why calling is less about finding the perfect job and more about paying attention to the deeper story God is writing. This conversation touches on career transitions, imposter syndrome, and the tension between who we are and what we do.

If you have ever questioned your direction or wondered how your past connects to your purpose, this episode will help you think differently about calling.

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.

This week on Caller ID, I’m joined by my wife, writer Sarah Wells, on the day her new book Say One Million Times, Wow! Essays on Awe, Faith, and Family from America’s Great Outdoors (and Some Hotel Rooms) releases.

But this isn’t just a conversation about a book—it’s about calling. We talk about what it looks like to build a creative life in the middle of real responsibilities, how identity gets shaped over time, and why you need to listen to your instincts and not settle for a safe road.

Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes of her writing journey, the tension between vocation and family, and how awe isn’t just a feeling—it’s a way of seeing that can reframe your work, your purpose, and your everyday life.

If you’re trying to figure out who you are, what you’re called to, or how to stay grounded while pursuing something meaningful, this one’s for you.

Her new book Say One Million Times, Wow! Essays on Awe, Faith, and Family from America’s Great Outdoors (and Some Hotel Rooms) is available now on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Learn more at sarahmariewells.com.

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.

Firefighter. Cornell grad. Serial entrepreneur. Real estate investor. Risk-taker.

Keith Saffles has lived several lives in one — and each chapter has required bold decisions, deep resilience, and a willingness to start over.

In this episode of Caller ID, we dive into Keith’s journey through public service, entrepreneurship, and real estate, exploring what drives someone to repeatedly step into uncertainty and build from scratch. We talk about fear, faith, failure, timing, and the internal compass that guides big life decisions.

If you’ve ever wrestled with risk, reinvention, or the tension between security and calling, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

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.