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F'ing Up
F’ing Up is a podcast that peels back the highlight reel of success. Hosted by Deanne Rhynard, each episode features accomplished guests who share the messy, real, and often uncomfortable parts of their journeys—the moments that shaped their eventual success.
In a world where social media sells the illusion of overnight success, F’ing Up reminds listeners (especially those early in their careers or considering a major pivot) that growth is never linear. Deanne invites guests to drop the polished narrative, explore their stumbles, and reflect on what those experiences taught them in real time.
Because the truth is: what we often label as failure is usually just part of the climb.
After all, we’re all F’ing Up.
ABOUT THE HOST
Deanne Rhynard is a Success Mentor and the Host of The F’ing Up Podcast, where she translates failure into clarity, confidence, and momentum. Known for her grounded honesty and sharp emotional intelligence, she helps people cut through noise, confront blind spots, and define success on their own terms.
Before launching F’ing Up, Deanne spent nearly two decades as a Chief People Officer and startup advisor, helping companies navigate the messy, high-pressure stages of growth and scale. She shaped culture and leadership at organizations including Performio and Olo—the restaurant-tech pioneer where she scaled the team more than 30x, led the company through an IPO and two acquisitions, and built a remote-first culture well before the rest of the world caught up.
Her background spans people operations, corporate relations, and management roles at the UVA Darden School of Business, KKR, Marriott, and several early-stage startups. This breadth gives her an uncommon ability to read people quickly and understand what unlocks their potential—whether they’re early in their career or leading from the C-suite.
Deanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Walla Walla University and lives in Washington State with her husband and three sons.
F'ing Up
F'ing Up with Hunter Smith - S2 E14
Hunter Smith has experienced rocket ship success, both in the world of music and craft beer. Most recently, he built a brewing company and hospitality group that soared, until COVID hit. He found himself holding the pieces of a wildly successful venture that suffered the effects of something unexpected.
About Hunter Smith
Hunter Smith is the founder and former President of Champion Brewing Company and Champion Hospitality Group.
Hunter attended Northeastern University for Music and performed as a musician in the north east before returning home to Virginia in 2009.
Hunter completed a BS in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Certificate of Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute in Chicago and started Champion Brewing Company in downtown Charlottesville in 2012. Hunter has also become an active member in the Charlottesville community as a board member for the Music Resource Center, Piedmont Housing Alliance, New Hill Development Company, and in June of 2018 was appointed to the City of Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review by City Council.
Hunter also works in an advisory role at his family's winery in Nelson County and as Co-Chair of Government Affairs for the Virginia Craft BrewersGuild.
Hunter is often recognized as the grandson of C. Ray Smith, a long-tenured professor and interim dean of UVa's Darden School of Business.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers’ own and do not represent the
views, thoughts, and opinions of the companies or individuals referenced during this recording. The material and information presented is for general information purposes only.
