Dr. Victor Van Berkel lost his father to lung cancer — the deadliest cancer in the U.S., in part because it’s so difficult to detect early. That loss inspired Breath Diagnostics, a start-up using breath samples and microchip technology to identify cancer. But groundbreaking science doesn’t always translate into a sustainable business. After years of stalled leadership and mounting debt, investor Ivan Lo stepped in — buying the debt, restructuring the company and becoming CEO. When a Mayo Clinic partnership revealed they needed to fix some technical issues first, they hit pause to get it right — even if it meant going it alone for a while.

In this episode, Ben Walter and Kathleen Griffith speak with Victor and Ivan about making hard bets, the real costs and rewards of scientific startups and why leading with conviction sometimes matters more than consensus. These are The Unshakeables.

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Terry Iverson grew up in the family machine tool business, eventually becoming the third-generation CEO of Iverson & Company. But as American manufacturing declined, Terry knew the legacy he inherited wasn’t enough — he needed to create something new.

In this episode, Ben Walter and Kathleen Griffith sit down with Terry to talk about what it means to walk away from a century-old business, and why he created CHAMPION Now! to rebuild interest in American manufacturing, using songwriting, youth outreach and hands-on education as tools for change. This one’s about legacy, reinvention and the long game of saving an industry. These are The Unshakeables.

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Transitioning your business isn’t something that happens overnight — it takes thoughtful planning to make sure everything goes smoothly. In this special episode of The Unshakeables, Ben sits with Adam Frank, Head of Wealth Planning and Advice, at JPMorgan Chase as they break down the steps every business owner should take to prepare for the future, whether passing a business on to a family member, a partner, or selling to a third party. Ben and Adam discuss the importance of setting up a solid succession plan while also managing the financial, legal, and emotional side of transition.

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