Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Going Big with Paul Atkins: Why Public Companies Have Been Disappearing—and What Comes Next

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins joins host Kevin Gentry on Going Big! to discuss his "minimum dose" philosophy of regulation—and why information overload can be just as harmful as too little disclosure.They cover the decline of public markets and Paul's push to revive IPOs, the role of institutional ownership and politicized shareholder activism, and why he believes crypto belongs under U.S. oversight with clearer rules rather than pushed offshore.

Going Big with Heather Rice-Minus: Hope Behind Bars and the Power of Second Chances

Most people never step inside a prison. But what if some of the most compelling stories of change in America are happening there?
 
In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry interviews Heather Rice-Minus, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, about what she has seen in prisons across the country and why she believes hope can grow in the hardest places.
 
The conversation traces the origins of Prison Fellowship through the story of Chuck Colson, whose conversion and time in prison helped spark a movement that now serves incarcerated men and women, supports families, and partners with churches nationwide.
 
Heather shares vivid, personal stories from inside prison walls, including a woman known as “Turtle” who is serving a life sentence yet has become a leader and mentor to others. She also challenges the “us vs. them” mindset and explains why defining people by the worst thing they’ve ever done can block real restoration.
 
The episode also explores the scale of incarceration in the United States, the impact on children and families, and the growing focus on second chances through community engagement and practical next steps.
 
Heather closes with a quote from Colson that captures the theme of the conversation: “My greatest humiliation being sent to prison was actually the beginning of God’s greatest use in my life.”

Going Big with Arthur Brooks: Finding the Meaning of Your Life in an Age of Emptiness

Millions of people say life feels empty, even when they’re achieving more than ever. Why is that happening, and how do you reverse it?In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Arthur C. Brooks — Harvard professor, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading voices on happiness and meaning — to unpack what Brooks calls the “meaning gap.”Arthur shares his own journey of reinvention: from professional musician to public policy leader, and then a deliberate pivot into the science of happiness, purpose, love, and faith.They explore how modern technology can keep people trapped in “complicated problems,” while the biggest human questions live elsewhere — and why so many people feel they can’t even ask the right questions anymore.Along the way, Arthur gives listeners practical tools they can use immediately: a simple decision framework (excitement vs. fear vs. deadness), daily “phone protocols” that protect relationships, and a concrete way to reconnect with meaning when you’re feeling stuck.They also discuss Arthur's new book, The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, and his upcoming virtual event tied to the launch.
Join Arthur’s free “The Meaning of Your Life Virtual Experience” on March 27, a live, immersive journey designed around the groundbreaking findings in his new book, The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness. Throughout the day, Arthur will be joined by an extraordinary lineup of guests for deep, unscripted conversations that go far beyond the surface. Together, they will pull back the curtain on why the modern world—with its rapid technological and cultural shifts—has effectively rewired our brains to make meaning feel so elusive.
 
Learn more about The Meaning of Your Life Virtual Experience at themeaningofyourlife.com

Going Big with Mayor Lily Wu: From Learning English at 8 to Leading a Major American City

On this special episode of Going Big!, released on March 16 -- Wichita's "316 Day" -- Wichita Mayor Lily Wu joins host Kevin Gentry for a conversation about civic leadership, immigrant grit, and what it looks like to “go big” as a true outsider.Without prior election experience — and without the backing of either major political party — Wu ran for mayor of Wichita in 2023 and won decisively. She explains why she believed the city needed a new direction, and how focusing on the core services of local government helped her connect with voters across the community.Wu also shares her family’s immigration story: born in Guatemala to parents originally from mainland China, she immigrated to Wichita as a child. She reflects on learning English after arriving at age eight, the responsibility she felt to help her family adapt, and how those early experiences shaped her work ethic and leadership style.The episode explores Wu’s approach to governing through presence and listening, including her commitment to extensive public engagement across Wichita. She also discusses the role of mentors and community organizations in her development, and why she encourages young people to get involved early.Wu speaks candidly about leading through crisis and grief, the importance of verified information in public moments such as the tragic 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision, and how faith and prayer factor into her decision-making and resilience.
This conversation is for anyone interested in local leadership, public service, mentorship, and the personal journey behind a bold decision to step forward and serve.

Going Big with Andy Kessler: Productivity, Profits, and Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

What does it mean to find your unique skill set when technology is moving faster than most people can process? In this episode, Kevin Gentry sits down with _Wall Street Journal_ columnist and innovation optimist Andy Kessler to break down how high performers and high agency leaders can thrive through the biggest technology shift of our time.
Andy lays out a simple but powerful framework for Going Big today: become relentlessly productive by doing more with less, pursue profit as a signal that you are creating real value for society, and most importantly, learn to spot major trends early so you can get the wind at your back. Kevin and Andy unpack how fast the world has changed since the smartphone revolution, why most people miss the first signals of disruption, and how to “see signposts in the fog” by thinking in five to ten year increments with scale, cost curves, and market elasticity in mind.
They also dig into what “high agency” really means in 2026, why artificial intelligence is a productivity powerhouse that rewards action over credentials, and how the democratization of tools is about to reshape careers across coding, customer service, medicine, law, retail, and education. Andy shares his own unconventional career journey, from Bell Labs engineer to Wall Street analyst to investor to writer, and explains why the best careers are not plotted, they are built by staying curious, staying loose, and learning how to learn.
If you want a more practical way to think about artificial intelligence, innovation, and your next big move, this conversation will help you stop fearing the waves of change and start riding them.