The Shift with Mike & Joe

From Marine to Mindset Coach: Dale Walls on Leadership & Discipline | The Shift Ep. 17

“Whether you’re in charge of others or not, you’re always in charge of someone — and that someone is yourself.”
 
In this episode of The Shift, we sit down with Dale Walls, a former Marine turned entrepreneur, leadership consultant, and host of The Lion’s Guide Podcast. Dale opens up about the lessons that shaped his journey—from boot camp to building a leadership consultancy—and how embracing discipline, responsibility, and self-leadership transformed his life.
 
We talk about:
• The difference between leading others and leading yourself
• How Dale overcame the chaos of his early entrepreneurial years
• Why leadership starts long before you’re “in charge”
• Tactical frameworks he teaches business owners to scale with clarity and integrity
 
Dale’s mission is to equip people to live their best lives, lead with purpose, and leave a legacy—and this conversation is packed with mindset-shifting insight you’ll want to take notes on.
 
From bootcamp lessons to the boardroom, Dale breaks down how military principles shaped his leadership style, how to cultivate discipline without burnout, and how to unlock the high-performing version of yourself.
 
🎧 Full episode now available
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Rebuilding Identity Through Music: Nicholas Ray’s Story (Army Vet Turned Alt-Country Artist) - EP 16 The Shift with Mike & Joe

In this episode, we sit down with Nicholas Ray, a local alt-country artist and Army veteran who’s diving into his music career after recently returning home from Kosovo. He shares stories from his military service, what inspired his songwriting, and how he’s building a creative life post-deployment.
 
We talk about growing up homeschooled, rediscovering identity through music, and the beauty of authentic storytelling in songwriting. There’s also plenty of laughter — Joe forgot to hit record (again), Mike roasts him, and we debut our ridiculous new podcast theme song… vocally.
 
We’re officially back on our biweekly schedule, and we’ve got awesome guests lined up soon: Dale Walls, Keith Edmonds, Steve Boucher, and more.
 
🎧 Available now on all major platforms.

Episode 15 | Shea Springer of Sweetfoot Studios

EPISODE 15 – Shea Springer of Sweetfoot Studios: DIY Recording, Studio Life & the Art of Sound
 
In this episode, Mike & Joe sit down with local musician, producer, and self-taught engineer Shea Springer — owner of Sweetfoot Studios in Easton, Maryland. From building a control room in his basement to running cables through the living room, Shea shares how he transformed a split-level home into a fully functional recording studio.
 
We talk about room acoustics, mic techniques, tracking full bands in a house, and what it’s really like running a creative business from home. Shea also opens up about lessons learned, favorite sessions, and how his wife helps run the operation behind the scenes.
 
After a short hiatus, we’re back on track with our biweekly release schedule — and we’ve got more incredible guests on the way!

Episode 14 | Colby Sard

In this engaging episode of *The Shift with Mike and Joe*, the hosts welcome local musician Colby Sard for an in-depth conversation about his journey as a full-time musician, his experiences gigging around the Chesapeake Bay area, and his path to sobriety. The episode covers a wide range of topics, from the challenges and perks of performing live music to the realities of staying sober while working in the music scene. Key highlights include: - Colby shares humorous and candid stories about his gigs, including memorable tips and navigating tricky venues like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge commute. - The hosts discuss the unique pressures musicians face on stage, such as dealing with distracted audiences, live streaming performances, and the balancing act of playing popular covers versus original music. - Colby opens up about his six months of sobriety, the struggles of performing sober for the first time, and how sobriety has changed his perspective on music and life. - The conversation delves into the mental health aspects of addiction and recovery, emphasizing coping strategies, self-forgiveness, and the importance of taking sobriety one day at a time. - They also explore the behind-the-scenes work of booking gigs, working with agents, and the realities of making a living as a musician. - Mike and Joe share their own reflections on sobriety, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal well-being, and the evolving culture of sobriety in the music industry. - The episode includes lighthearted banter about music gear, favorite songs to play, and creative uses of AI tools like ChatGPT for designing flyers and managing projects. - The hosts discuss podcast production insights, distribution platforms, and the evolving landscape of video podcasts.

Episode 13 | Steven Dunn

🎙 Episode 14 – Steven Dunn | Fishing, Gigging & Figuring It Out
In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with local legend Steven Dunn—gigging musician, charter boat captain, and full-time hustler on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. From navigating the waters of the Chesapeake to playing shows across Delmarva, Steve shares what it’s like balancing two unorthodox careers, building a business with his dad, and learning the art of not burning out.
 
Also covered:
🎣 Life on the water
🎸 Gig life and self-employment
🧠 Mental health, sleep, and the occasional loop pedal
😂 Footwear debates, food rants, and a ChatGPT confession
Whether you’re a creative, a fisherman, or just someone figuring it out—this one’s got something for you.
Watch, laugh, relate. And maybe book a charter.

Episode 12 | Joey Mitchell

In this episode of The Shift, Mike and Joe sit down with Joey Mitchell, a seasoned upright and electric bass player deeply rooted in the Eastern Shore music scene. Joey shares his journey from touring in England to performing with bands like Swampcandy, Mixed Business, and the Joey Harkum Band. He discusses his unique perspective as a sideman who also excels in booking music venues, offering insights into the dynamics of the music industry from both the stage and behind the scenes. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of balancing performance with venue management, highlighting Joey’s multifaceted role in the music community. It’s a candid and insightful discussion that sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of a musician’s life.

Episode 11 | with Austin Smale of Tiger Lily

In Episode 11 of The Shift, Mike and Joe sit down (again) with Austin Smale, owner of Tiger Lily in Easton, MD, for a second—and even better—round of conversation after technical issues spoiled their first recording. Austin shares his entrepreneurial journey from blending birthday cakes at a senior home to running one of Easton’s most creative restaurant concepts. They dig into the realities of restaurant ownership, from staffing struggles to noise ordinances, and explore everything from tip culture and hiring practices to business coaching and SEO. Austin also opens up about personal growth, the importance of routine (shoutout to the gym), and why the Tiger Lily patio is a game-changer. Oh, and yes—Joe’s infamous noise complaint story resurfaces. It’s an insightful, funny, and wide-ranging chat with one of the area’s most driven young business owners.

Episode 10 | with J. Coursey Willis

In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, singer-songwriter and local legend J. Coursey Willis joins us for a wide-ranging conversation filled with stories, laughs, and deep dives. We talk about his early musical influences (spoiler: La Bamba and a broom), his journey from NSA employee to full-time creative, and how he balances music, nonprofit work, and entrepreneurship. Josh shares insights into productivity, delegation, building an email list, and staying focused in the chaos of self-employment. We also get into the history of Kent Island, wild stories from the local music scene, and the fine art of saying no. Oh, and there’s some wine, cemetery tours, and talk of methylene blue… it’s a ride.

Episode 9 | with Rohry Flood of Cult Classic Brewing

In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, the guys welcome special guest Rory Flood—musician, event mastermind, and marketing genius behind Kent Island’s iconic brewery and music venue, Cult Classic. The conversation takes a hilarious and insightful journey through Rory’s background in music, event planning, and the origin story of Hot Tub Limo and his current band Equals B. They dig into Rory’s philosophy on business, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how creative ideas (like Wingo and custom beer collabs) come to life. Mike and Joe also get nostalgic about growing up on the Shore, share their undying love for Eve 6, and of course, debate Mike’s hair rating. There’s plenty of laughs, music talk, behind-the-scenes stories, and entrepreneurial nuggets. A must-listen for creatives, musicians, and anyone curious about building a community around art and business.

Episode 8

In episode 8 Mike & Joe go back to the basics, with no guest.  They chat about Mike's lobster shirt, the ratio of good looks to talent in terms of success, and Joe puts Mike to sleep talking about technical camera jargon.