From Civil Engineer to Cookie Empire with Brad Kaplan

From Civil Engineer to Cookie Empire with Brad Kaplan

Author: Brett Kaufman April 6, 2026 Duration: 1:16:33

Brad Kaplan had never baked a cookie from scratch when he Googled "pumpkin desserts" for Thanksgiving 2018. Six years later, he owns two Lion Cubs Cookies locations in Columbus with a third on the way.

This is the story of how an impulsive kid from Cleveland who became a reluctant civil engineer discovered his true calling through controlled experiments in his kitchen. Brad shares the three jumps every entrepreneur must make, why removing distractions revealed his passion, and the three scoreboards that determine success at every stage of life.

Whether you're considering a career pivot or starting your own business, Brad's journey offers honest insights into what it really takes to build something from scratch.


There's a quiet hum beneath the noise of daily life, a place where genuine understanding begins. Innerspace: Deep, Meaningful Conversations with Brett Kaufman tunes into that frequency. Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Brett Kaufman, this podcast creates a grounded environment for exploring the subtle forces that guide us. The discussions move beyond surface-level advice, delving into personal transitions, moments of unexpected clarity, and the inner signals we often learn to ignore. Brett approaches each conversation with a thoughtful curiosity, whether examining setbacks or breakthroughs, to uncover how these lived experiences fundamentally shape our paths. It’s a series for anyone interested in the interconnected realms of mental fitness and spiritual self-improvement, framed not as lectures but as calm, reflective dialogues. Listening feels like gaining a deeper awareness of the quiet mechanics behind our actions and choices in health, relationships, and purpose. This podcast offers a consistent space to pause and consider what truly moves us from within.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Innerspace: Deep, Meaningful Conversations with Brett Kaufman
Podcast Episodes
195. Choosing Gratitude Through Adversity with Nicole Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:05
"There's something bigger than you or I, an energy that is more powerful. I think that being able to recognize the fact that there is something more powerful than my being and that's a good thing that we don't have all t…
192. Choosing Resilience & Personal Wellness with Kate Borges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:54
"I learned from my father that in life we have these convincing experiences. And sometimes they're just the most mundane, stupid little thing. But it's a convincing experience where you're like, I don't know what's next,…
A Tribute to Ken Jordan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:35
This week, I’m re-releasing a previous episode featuring my friend Ken Jordan who passed away recently. I’m saddened at the loss of Ken who was such a beautiful soul, a wonderful man and a bright light in this world. Ken…