Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Welcome to Going Big!—the podcast that’s all about transforming your marketing and fundraising. Hosted by Kevin Gentry, Going Big! has consistently ranked as a top podcast on iTunes in its category and is the proud recipient of the 2024 MarCom Gold Award for Non-Profit Podcast and the 2024 Viddy Gold Award for Non-Profit and Marketing Podcast. Each episode features conversations with some of the most influential business leaders, CEOs, and nonprofit visionaries. Together, we uncover the strategies that drive extraordinary results—pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and making a significant impact in organizations and communities. Whether you’re a seasoned leader, an aspiring changemaker, or simply passionate about creating positive change, Going Big! delivers valuable insights and inspiration to elevate your leadership, your giving, and your organization’s success. Tune in to discover how to go big with your leadership and make a lasting difference. Listen to Going Big! on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and YouTube. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and visit TenXStrategies.com for more great content and resources.
Episodes
Episodes



Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Going Big isn’t just about taking risks—it’s about turning your passion into something that impacts others. In this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Neal Wavra, a hospitality visionary who took a bold leap to create something extraordinary.
From growing up in Chicago, where family meals were the heartbeat of connection, to working in world-class restaurants like Charlie Trotter’s and Blackberry Farm, Neal always believed that food was more than just sustenance—it was an experience. That belief led him and his wife to open Field & Main, a restaurant dedicated to farm-to-table excellence and fostering community through hospitality.
When COVID threatened the restaurant industry, Neal didn’t retreat—he went bigger, finding new ways to serve guests and sustain his team. Now, he’s shaping the future of Virginia’s wine industry and expanding his impact through Fable Hospitality Group.
This conversation is all about taking risks, following your passion, and going big—in business, in service, and in life.



Monday Feb 24, 2025
Going Big with Art: How Polly Gentry Transformed Tragedy into Impact
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
What does it truly mean to Go Big? For artist Polly Gentry, it meant taking a personal moment of grief and transforming it into a mission of honor, remembrance, and action. After witnessing the heartbreaking events of the 2021 Afghanistan troop withdrawal, Polly was moved to create a one-of-a-kind tribute—her Flags of Honor series, with each piece dedicated to one of the 13 fallen service members.
But Polly didn’t stop at expression—she took her impact even further. Determined to make a tangible difference, she auctioned her art to support military families through the Folds of Honor Foundation, proving that creativity, when paired with purpose, has the power to change lives.
On this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Polly to explore how she discovered her artistic gift later in life, the moment she realized her work could serve a greater cause, and why taking bold action with your talents can ignite change beyond what you ever imagined. This conversation is a reminder that Going Big isn’t just about ambition—it’s about using your unique gifts to leave a lasting impact.



Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
On this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, a leader whose career has been defined by taking bold risks and reshaping America’s economic policies.
From his early days as an economics professor to becoming a key architect of the Reagan Revolution, Gramm shares his journey of challenging the status quo, fighting for lower taxes, and making tough decisions that changed the course of history. He opens up about his daring decision to resign from Congress, switch parties, and run again, proving that true leadership means standing firm on principles—even when the odds are against you.
This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, bold decision-making, and what it truly means to go big. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or changemaker, Phil Gramm’s insights will inspire you to take action and make a lasting impact.



Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries has spent his life Going Big—whether as a civil rights leader, mega-church pastor, financial educator, or faith-driven entrepreneur. In this episode of the Going Big Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Dr. Soaries to explore his journey from community activism to leading a financial revolution through the dfree®️ Movement, empowering thousands to achieve true financial freedom.
From breaking free of debt to building lasting wealth, Dr. Soaries shares his game-changing approach to financial empowerment and how personal responsibility and faith intersect with social justice. He reveals the lessons that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and how believing in yourself is the first step to Going Big in any area of life.
If you're ready to take control of your finances, think bigger, and make a lasting impact, this episode will inspire and equip you to take bold action. Don’t miss it!



Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
On this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Billo & Pinto Naravane, founders of Rasa Vineyards in Walla Walla, Washington. Their story is one of passion, precision, and perseverance—leaving behind successful careers in tech to pursue their dream of creating world-class wines.
They share how their scientific backgrounds shaped their approach to winemaking, the risks they took to break into the industry, and how they’re redefining Washington wine with their ultra-premium, terroir-driven vintages. From lessons in entrepreneurship to insights on crafting transformational wines, this conversation is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to turn their passion into a bold new venture.
Tune in to hear their incredible journey and learn what it truly means to go big! 🍷✨

Kevin Gentry founded TenX Strategies to help great causes transform their effectiveness by 10xing their fundraising. He previously served as Vice President at Stand Together and also Vice President for Special Projects at Koch, where for more than 20 years he helped build the fundraising and marketing capabilities of organizations dedicated to the principles of a free society. With previous leadership roles at the Institute for Humane Studies, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and the Leadership Institute, Kevin brings a wealth of experience to solve big problems and a passion for advancing meaningful causes.