In a recent episode of From Caving In to Crushing It, hosted by Drew Deraney, listeners were treated to a deeply personal and transformative conversation with Mitch Levinson—an entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and founder of the nonprofit organization Joey’s Journeys. The episode is a powerful reminder of how adversity can be a catalyst for growth, purpose, and impact.
The Three Types of Men and Mitch’s Defining Moment
The episode opens with host Drew Deraney laying a philosophical foundation: life isn’t always linear. Sometimes, unexpected adversity knocks us off course. He describes three types of men: one who ignores life’s challenges, one who feels victimized by them, and one who transforms those obstacles into opportunities. Mitch Levinson embodies the third.
Mitch recounts a pivotal moment early in his career. After a mass layoff during the dot-com bust, he faced uncertainty with a young family to support. Rather than retreat, he picked up the phone and transparently informed his clients of his situation. His honesty and work ethic paid off—three Fortune 1000 companies offered him consulting work, which eventually led to him founding his own agency.
“I started my first business with 30 hours sold because they trusted me and knew my work.”
Building a 25-Year Business
What began as solo consulting grew into a successful digital marketing agency. Mitch expanded his team, added clients, and built a boutique firm that thrived for 25 years before being absorbed by a larger company. This merger was more of a partnership than a sale—the acquiring firm integrated Mitch’s entire team and services.
However, this transition brought new challenges. A strategic shift by the parent company eventually led to Mitch’s business unit being dismantled. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Mitch used the moment to reflect and ask: What’s next?
The Birth of Joey’s Journeys
Inspired by his stepson Joey, who is on the autism spectrum, Mitch decided to create something that combined community service with personal fulfillment. He founded Joey’s Journeys, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with special needs through inclusive travel experiences.
“There are families who don’t travel because of special needs—and those who do often face enormous challenges.”
Mitch noticed that traditional vacations can be isolating or stressful for families with children who have disabilities. His charity builds travel communities that provide shared caregiving support, peer interaction for siblings, and opportunities for every family member to relax and grow.
One particularly powerful example was a trip to a Mexican flea market. For Joey, the experience helped him practice saying “no,” navigate social interactions, and understand value—essential life skills made accessible through real-world exposure.
Redefining Family and Personal Growth
Mitch’s journey is also a story of blended families and emotional evolution. As a stepfather to a child with special needs, Mitch learned that personal growth is mutual.
“He’s teaching me as much as I’m teaching him. His attitude is infectious—always positive, always moving forward.”
Joey, now 21, works at a car wash and has a passion for vehicles. While he may never drive due to the cognitive demands of it, his life is full of purpose, activity, and learning.
Advice to the Younger Mitch
Toward the end of the episode, Drew asks Mitch what advice he’d give his younger self. Mitch’s words are rooted in integrity:
“Always do the right thing. Be true to yourself. And surround yourself with people who speak positively about you when you’re not in the room.”
Whether for a young child or an aspiring entrepreneur, Mitch’s guidance is universal.
Final Thoughts
Mitch Levinson’s story is not just about business or parenthood—it’s about resilience, values, and turning adversity into action. His nonprofit, Joey’s Journeys, is more than a charitable cause—it’s a movement to give hope, community, and joy to families who need it most.
For more about Mitch’s leadership journey, visit mitchlevinson.com. To learn about his nonprofit, go to joeysjourneys.org.
