POWERS

Episódios

• From One $3M Loan to a $25B Firm - How Madison Realty Capital Was Built with Josh Zegen (# 417) 02.06.2026 1h 25min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Josh Zegen, Co-Founder & Managing Principal of Madison Realty Capital, a $25 billion real estate private credit firm he started with his college roommate in 2004. They dig into how he built one of the largest private lenders in the country starting from a desk in his dad's law office - and why he still thinks of himself as a businessman first and a real estate guy second. Josh got into lending almost by accident. Laid off from a VC firm at 26 when the dot-com bubble burst, he took one mortgage deal nobody else would do, saw how fragmented and non-institutional the market was, and built a fund around it before "private credit" meant anything. Chris and Josh go deep on surviving '08, reinventing the business when capital dried up, and how Madison grew into a platform that now lends to other lenders. They discuss: How Josh went from a laid-off VC associate living back home to founding a $25B firm Surviving '09 - including giving up 50% of the company for a $50M anchor that collapsed at the last minute Why he built servicing, asset management, and capital raising in-house instead of outsourcing The $10B back-leverage book that makes Madison the lender to ~100 other private lenders The $720M single loan behind the largest office-to-residential conversion in NYC Where he sees real estate credit headed - and why he stays away from office, data centers, and anything "binary" Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:52) Rate Volatility and a Stalled CRE Investment Market(09:44) What's Getting Done Today: Construction, Conversions, and Recaps(18:49) Founding Madison: Seeing Opportunity in a Fragmented Market(25:19) The GFC: Gating Investors and Going Vertically Integrated(31:26) The $50M REIT Deal That Nearly Ended Madison—And the Door It Opened(44:28) Why Borrowers Now Prefer Private Credit Over Banks(47:17) In-House Loan Servicing as Madison's Competitive Edge(49:06) The Back Leverage Business: Lending to Private Lenders(55:35) Capital Markets Expansion and Staying True to Real Estate(1:05:55) The Pfizer Deal, Lifecycle Lending, and Madison's Road Ahead(1:15:06) Staying Relevant by Constantly Innovating and Looking for Acquisition Opportunities ----- Presented by Airshare: Trusted across the country for fractional ownership, jet cards, charter, and aircraft management, Airshare gives you a smarter way to fly private - over 25 years of experience, operating their own fleet, with the top safety ratings in the industry. Drive up to the FBO, walk on, and go. Go to flyairshare.com to learn more. ----- Sponsored by: Collateral Partners builds institutional-grade investor materials for private credit, private equity, real estate, and family office firms - the kind of marketing collateral that helps you close capital. Learn more at collateral.com/fort. Relay Human Cloud helps you build a highly skilled global team that operates as a true part of your business - not an outsourced vendor. From accounting to operations, Relay's talent works inside your systems and alongside your local team, unlocking 24-hour productivity and significant cost savings. Learn more at https://www.relayhumancloud.com/powers-podcast/ ----- Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• The Texas Power Grid, AI, and the Race for Data Centers with Rep. John McQueeney (# 416) 26.05.2026 1h 21min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with John McQueeney, State Representative for House District 97 in Tarrant County, Texas and member of the State Affairs Committee covering power grid and electric policy. In the last six weeks alone, John's committee has run three interim data center hearings. He is also drafting the Data Center Responsibility Act for the January 2027 session - the bill that will set the framework for how Texas handles the data center build-out for a generation. Texas has 440 gigawatts of applications in the queue against roughly 110 gigawatts of current peak capacity. Someone has to sort out what's real, what's speculative, and who pays for the grid when it all comes online. John is one of the people doing that work. They discuss: Why the data center industry is losing a PR battle it should be winning The tax story hyperscalers haven't been telling How the large load approval process works in Texas, end to end - from TSP submission to ERCOT study to Approved to Energize What's real vs. speculative in the 440 GW pipeline Behind-the-meter data centers as grid stabilizers What the Data Center Responsibility Act will cover The railroad analogy: why communities that miss this build-out will fall behind for decades Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:27) Why Data Centers Are a "12 Out of 10" for Texas(08:17) A Day Without a Data Center(09:34) Inside Stargate: Lancium, Crusoe, Oracle & OpenAI(14:34) When One Data Center Funds 30% of a City's Budget(17:03) The Vicious Restudy Cycle & the Batch Zero Fix(28:55) 440 GW of Applications Chasing 105 GW of Capacity(35:53) The 75 MW Threshold & Going Behind the Meter(48:36) Drafting the Data Center Responsibility Act(54:19) North Texas's Hidden Risk in Batch Zero(01:08:35) Who Actually Pays for the Grid Buildout?(01:14:32) Data Centers Are a National Security Issue(01:18:12) Data Centers in Space & the Long Arc ----- Presented by Airshare: Trusted across the country for fractional ownership, jet cards, charter, and aircraft management, Airshare gives you a smarter way to fly private - over 25 years of experience, operating their own fleet, with the top safety ratings in the industry. Drive up to the FBO, walk on, and go. Go to flyairshare.com to learn more. ----- Sponsored by Collateral Partners: Collateral Partners builds institutional-grade investor materials for private credit, private equity, real estate, and family office firms - the kind of marketing collateral that helps you close capital. Learn more at collateral.com/fort. ----- Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• Building a $2.2B Aerospace Business From Scratch with Bryan Perkins (#415) 19.05.2026 1h 22min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Bryan Perkins, Founder & CEO of Novaria Group, a Fort Worth-based aerospace manufacturer he started in 2011 and sold to Arcline last November for $2.2 billion. Bryan didn't set out to be in aerospace. He needed a job. But once he was in, he saw a niche nobody else wanted - high-mix, low-volume, esoteric parts that go under the radar - and spent 15 years rolling up 27 companies into one of the biggest businesses most people have never heard of. His North Star from the start was TransDigm, a company he'd been studying since his 20s. Chris and Bryan unpack the full operator's playbook behind that arc, how his thinking has evolved across a family office, KKR, and now Arcline, and where the entire aerospace ecosystem is headed by 2030. They discuss: Why you can't outmanage a bad capital structure - and what most lower middle market PE gets wrong about underwriting How Bryan built a roll-up that produces 80-90% proprietary deal flow, and the patience it takes to do that Why commoditization is an immediate no, and how the "layer cake" of process IP, material science, and unit economics creates moats most people can't see What an arranged marriage with private equity actually looks like, across three different capital partners Why he thinks the world still won't have enough airplanes by 2030, and how the new space economy is reshaping demand The decadal-thinking, "win the day" mindset behind a 15-year compounding machine Timestamps:(0:00) Intro(01:22) "You Can't Outmanage a Bad Capital Structure"(05:00) Underwriting Deals(12:17) Novaria's Strategy in Plain English(15:04) IP Moats Over Commoditization(17:04) Why Making an Aerospace Washer Is Harder Than You Think(21:56) Business Model Business vs. Single-Product Business(27:07) Patience and Decadal Thinking as a Proprietary Deal Flow Strategy(30:49) How Unglamorous Early Jobs Build Real Credibility(38:01) Centralized Controls, Decentralized Operations(44:44) Leveling Up: Founders Who Start with the End in Mind(55:11) What Is an Institutional Compounder?(1:03:05) TransDigm as North Star - Carving a Differentiated Strategy(1:08:41) Why Aerospace and Automotive Factory Playbooks Don't Transfer(1:14:10) The Road to 2030: Demand Surge, Space Economy & New Aircraft Design ----- Presented by Airshare: Trusted across the country for fractional ownership, jet cards, charter, and aircraft management, Airshare gives you a smarter way to fly private - over 25 years of experience, operating their own fleet, with the top safety ratings in the industry. Drive up to the FBO, walk on, and go. Go to flyairshare.com to learn more. ----- Sponsored by Collateral Partners: Collateral Partners builds institutional-grade investor materials for private credit, private equity, real estate, and family office firms - the kind of marketing collateral that helps you close capital. Learn more at collateral.com/fort. ----- Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• The Most Powerful Land Broker in North Texas with Rex Glendenning (# 414) 12.05.2026 1h 22min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Rex Glendenning, founder of REX Real Estate and the man known across North Texas as the "King of Dirt." Rex is a fourth-generation Celina native whose great-grandfather homesteaded 160 acres in 1887. Over the last four decades he's brokered billions in DFW land deals - including the $130M public-private partnership that brought the Cowboys to Frisco - while quietly running a 4-broker shop out of his hometown. Chris and Rex unpack his patience-and-dirt playbook, why he believes DFW is becoming the financial epicenter of America, and how he reads a real estate cycle years ahead of the rest of the industry. They discuss: How Rex originated the Star deal in 60 days - and why Frisco won the Cowboys instead of Irving His foundational theory: why every American city grows north (with one exception) 40 years of plowing every dollar back into dirt Why he believes DFW becomes "Y'all Street" Why he never scaled past three brokers His read on where we are in the cycle Timestamps: (05:20) Learning When to Shut Up in Business and Life(08:53) Growing Up Rural in Salina & the Work Ethic It Built(11:02) Why Every City in America Grows North(14:18) Betting on the Pandemic: $1 Billion in Deals with Just His Wife(23:38) The Star Deal: How Rex Helped Move the Dallas Cowboys to Frisco(30:23) Small Towns vs. Big Cities: The Public-Private Partnership Advantage(40:24) DFW Airport as the Hidden Engine of North Texas Growth(44:06) The H-1B Visa Pullback & Its Real Impact on the Housing Market(48:11) How Rex Thinks About Surviving a Recession(56:23) Will an "Artery Pop" in '26 or '27?(01:00:26) Why Rex Is Worth 6%: Full-Service vs. Order-Taking Brokers(01:04:43) Selling the Same Ranch 7 Times Over 40 Years(01:19:03) What Keeps Rex Up at Night: Reading the Current Market Cycle Support our SponsorsCollateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media:X: https://x.com/fortworthchrisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• Building a $100M CPG Brand With Only 10 Employees - James Beshara (# 413) 05.05.2026 1h 35min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with James Beshara - founder of Magic Mind, angel investor in 150+ companies (Mercury, Alchemy, Gusto, Halo Top), and a Dallas native who built Tilt and sold it to Airbnb. James spent two years tinkering with Magic Mind before he ever called it a business. Today it's a $100M CPG brand and the #1 health shot in natural retail - run with 10 employees, no Slack, almost no meetings, and a founder-CEO split he calls the Palmer Lucky lane. He is also one of the more thoughtful voices on the question every operator eventually wrestles with: what to build, when to build it, and how to know whether you are actually wired for it. They discuss: - How Magic Mind got to $100M with 10 employees, no Slack, and almost no meetings - The Palmer Lucky lane - how to be a founder without being the CEO - Why scratching your own itch beats chasing big ideas on a notepad - His biggest miss as an angel investor - the OpenAI seed round, what one investor calculated as the equivalent of 30 Googles - Wave selection - why standing still is sometimes the highest-leverage move in business - The Bhagavad Gita and surrendering into a duty-bound existence - Apt - the new company he sat on for seven years before building it Timestamps: (04:30) Where Can You Be Most Uniquely Useful? (10:02) The Nootropics Rabbit Hole(15:49) Wave Selection as a Business Philosophy (18:14) Retention is King (29:02) Asynchronous-First Company Culture (41:30) Magic Mind's Core Values (45:53) Cracking the Meta/Instagram Algorithm (52:22) Scaling Beyond E-Commerce (1:07:29) Founders are Sleeping on the Power of Encouragement (1:20:28) The Bhagavad Gita, Lion King & Duty (1:30:10) Surrendering to a Duty-Bound Existence You can receive 50% using the code POWERS50 at Magic Mind: https://magicmind.com/ Apt: https://www.tryapt.ai/ Support our Sponsors Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• The High School That Refunds Your Tuition If You Don't Make $1M with Nat Eliason (#412) 28.04.2026 1h 28min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Nat Eliason - founder, writer, and now launching Founders School, a new entrepreneur high school in New York City. Tuition is $150K a year. The promise: every student hits a million dollars in gross profit by graduation, or the family gets their tuition refunded. The first class is around 20 freshmen. The day is split between AI-driven academics in the morning and business building the rest of the day. This is also the same Nat Eliason who in his spare time built Felix - an AI agent he gave a Stripe account, an email, and an X handle, then told to launch a business overnight. Felix has done $60+K in sales since. Nat has not touched the code. They discuss: - Why the "game of school" is kayfabe and what's finally breaking it - The 16-year-old flying out to California to run short-form video for Al Pacino's new movie - The Munger inversion behind Alpha's curriculum: "why would these kids fail?" - What businesses a 14-year-old should and shouldn't build (and the $500/month software budget) - How Nat masters a new domain every two or three years, and why his $35K smart-contract loss accelerated him faster than caution would have - Felix - what "zero human" actually looks like, and the rules Nat set up to keep himself out of it - The day Anthropic shut off Open Claw and Alpha students reverse-engineered a proxy workaround in hours - Why the founding fathers wrote the Declaration in their early 20s, and what we forgot about teenagers Timestamps (05:55) What Alpha Does Differently From Conventional Schools (11:48) Playing the Fake Game of School (21:46) How Nat Masters New Domains (32:18) Open Claw Deep Dive (43:50) Building the Alpha Entrepreneurship Program (51:43) Freshman Year Structure at Alpha School (1:00:23) How Students Can Pitch for Equity or Debt Funding (1:04:08) Why Establish a New York Location for Year One (1:11:15) Nat’s 10-Year Vision (1:15:11) AI as a Force Multiplier for Teenage Founders (1:16:15) How Alpha Students Quickly Reverse-Engineered a Workaround After Open Claw Went Down (1:24:13) Teen-Parent Conflict as a Symptom of Infantilization Support our Sponsors Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• Building a $3B Family Office From Scratch with Matthew Ogle, Co-founder & CEO of Legacy Knight (#411) 21.04.2026 1h 33min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Matthew Ogle, Co-founder & CEO of Legacy Knight, a $2.8B multi-family office in Dallas, TX that he co-founded in 2019. We dig into how you build a world-class multi-family office from scratch - and why so many wealthy families out there don't actually have one yet. Matthew's path into wealth management didn't start in a boardroom - it started on a tennis court. A summer teaching tennis to a CIO's family at Cape Cod opened the first door, which led him to Credit Suisse's private bank through the GFC and then five years at the Crow family office, helping transform it into one of the first true multi-family offices in Dallas. He opened Legacy Knight's doors in October 2019 with $2.5M of operating capital, 14 seed families, and a contrarian bet - that the new generation of sub-50-year-old entrepreneurs hitting their first liquidity event needed something the bulge brackets couldn't offer. Six years later, Legacy Knight manages over $3B and was named the fastest-growing RIA in Texas. Chris and Matthew go deep on what it actually takes to build a multi-family office the right way - the technology, the hiring, the legacy conversations with families, and why Matthew refuses to grow by acquiring other books of business. They discuss: Why every hire at Legacy Knight comes out of the family office world, not from the bulge brackets How most $100M+ families are still running their wealth on a Google Doc and a handshake with their accountant Why "do nothing in the year after a liquidity event" is half good advice and half terrible advice The most creative things Matthew has seen ultra-wealthy families do with their capital How Matthew thinks about his own kids, legacy, and when to start the wealth conversation Links: Legacy Knight - https://legacyknight.com/ Matthew on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-ogle-ab11873/ Topics: (02:01) Matthew’s First Exposure to Wealth Management (07:58) Joining Credit Suisse (Pre-GFC): Why the "Bulge Bracket" Mattered, How the Private Banking Associate Model Works (13:08) Why Credit Suisse Failed to Serve Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families (20:07) The First Client Meeting: Soft-Tissue Questions (28:57) Tax Timing and Mitigation Strategies (37:57) The Founding Thesis: People and Platform (Building Legacy Knight) (44:46) The Decision to Launch Legacy Knight Independently (54:43) Fundraising Lessons: Managing Expectations and The Importance of Pitch Order (01:01:18) The Full-Service Family Office Model (01:06:24) What a Vertically Integrated Family Office Actually Includes (01:09:07) Proactive Investment Sourcing (01:13:02) Next-Gen Engagement and Family Legacy Planning: How to Involve Children Appropriately (01:21:46) Matthew’s Hiring Philosophy (01:30:05) Time as the Hidden Cost of Unstructured Wealth Support our Sponsors: Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• #410 - Austin Tunnell - Founder of Building Culture - The Power of Developing Beautiful Buildings 14.04.2026 1h 21min

  In this episode, Chris sits down with Austin Tunnell, founder of Building Culture - a real estate development and design-build company based in Oklahoma City specializing in structural masonry construction and walkable, mixed-use urban infill. Austin's path to real estate is one of the more unusual ones we've had on the show. He grew up a football player in the suburbs of Houston, went to work at KPMG out of college, hated it, and joined the Peace Corps. A chance meeting with a master mason in Panama changed the trajectory of his life. He returned to the US and apprenticed for two years laying brick by hand for $12 an hour in rural Oklahoma while his wife cleaned houses to support them. Today Austin designs and develops some of the most beautiful residential and mixed-use projects being built in America, including an 18-townhome, live-work, and mixed-use commercial project currently underway in downtown Edmond, Oklahoma. Chris and Austin go deep on Austin's philosophy of beauty, the case for building things meant to last hundreds of years, and the policy, financing, and culture obstacles standing in the way. We discuss: - How a chance meeting with a master mason in Panama changed the trajectory of Austin's life - The difference between veneer brick and true structural masonry, and why almost no one in the US builds the real thing anymore - Why Austin believes beauty is real, beauty is important, and beauty "connects us to the divine" - Five simple brick details any developer can use to make a veneer building look dramatically better for almost no added cost - How fire codes, building codes, and Euclidean zoning quietly destroy neighborhoods and push developers toward the same ugly apartment complexes - Austin's long-term-hold model for funding new construction infill, inspired by Moses Kagan and ReSeed - Missing middle housing, walkability, and why a 30-unit townhome neighborhood can feel more like home than any class-A apartment building About the guest: Austin Tunnell is the founder of Building Culture, an Oklahoma City-based real estate development and design-build firm focused on beautiful, durable, human-scale neighborhoods. Building Culture specializes in structural masonry construction, walkable urban infill, and mixed-use development. Links: Building Culture - https://www.buildingculture.com/ Austin on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@austintunnell Austin on X - https://x.com/austintunnell Austin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:33) - Austin’s journey with the Peace Corps and how that led him to Masonry (00:12:26) - Why we moved away from Masonry and toward wood frames (00:15:19) - What drew Austin to Masonry (00:19:34) - Learning the craft (00:24:25) - Why humans gravitate toward humanely built things (00:26:51) - What people can do with brick to get more value from a home (00:31:23) - What to ask architects when looking for a Mason (00:32:39) - Training Masons (00:33:28) - Austin’s project in Edmond, OK (00:38:17) - Defining beauty (00:50:03) - The impact of over regulation in construction and zoning (00:55:50) - Austin on scaling his business (00:59:38) - Local, state, and national policies that need to change (01:05:03) - Interior beauty in Austin’s world (01:09:30) - Tax incentives and capital structures (01:16:52) - Building a media business in Real Estate (01:18:05) - Live-work real estate Support our Sponsors Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• #409 - Jason McCann - CEO @ Vari - How a Simple Product Became a Global Brand 07.04.2026 1h 49min

  Today I sit down with Jason McCann, Co-Founder and CEO of Vari - a company that started when his business partner stood at a cardboard box complaining of back pain and turned that moment into a brand that has shipped millions of desks and transformed over a thousand offices. Jason built Vari direct-to-consumer in an industry that had never seen it. He bootstrapped the company while every instinct in the market said raise capital and burn cash. He became the fastest-growing company in Dallas, survived COVID after just putting $15 million into a TV campaign and opening 12 showrooms, and came out the other side as a fundamentally different leader. We go deep on what it actually takes to innovate legacy product categories, how he recruited the former Chief People Officer of Southwest Airlines over a cup of coffee, and why an introvert had to learn to over-communicate when hundreds of families were counting on him. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Links: Vari - https://www.vari.com/ Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mccann-vari/ Support our Sponsors Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:29) - How Vari was started(00:08:42) - How entrepreneurs should think about product development(00:11:24) - How Jason approaches AI(00:24:07) - Developing the standing desk(00:36:53) - Jason’s approach to manufacturing(00:47:16) - How Vari develops new products and services(00:56:59) - Bringing on the head of people of Southwest Airlines(01:04:31) - How Vari thinks about innovation vs. leaving products alone(01:14:55) - The future of work in 2026(01:19:50) - The reindustrialization of America(01:23:36) - Jason’s unique leadership style(01:28:47) - Why Jason only wears black(01:31:52) - What a week looks like for Jason(01:40:46) - How vari runs exec meetings Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• #408 - Jordan Levi - The Largest Cattle Feeder In America 31.03.2026 1h 43min

  In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Levi to explore how he’s built a unique edge in the cattle industry by combining deep analytical thinking with real-world market experience. Jordan walks me through how he approaches cattle trading, the key biological and financial variables that ultimately determine profit and loss, and how he developed his framework without growing up in the business. We spend time unpacking how the cattle market actually works, where volatility comes from, and how operators think about risk across the cycle. We also dive into how he’s embracing AI tools and building custom workflows to stay ahead in a fast-moving, data-heavy environment. We discuss: - How the cattle market works and why volatility creates both risk and opportunity - The key drivers of profitability including feed efficiency, average daily gain, and out weight - The difference between biological intuition and building a data-driven edge in cattle trading - How Jordan processes daily reports and market data to inform trading decisions - How he’s building AI agents to summarize information and streamline his workflow Links: Vote for Jordan to be inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame - https://cattlefeeders.org/poll/2027-cattle-feeders-hall-of-fame/ Jordan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-levi-b107182/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:16) - The Belted Galloway(00:03:51) - The Kosher Cowboy(00:08:05) - Pulling value of the futures forward(00:11:43) - Learning cattle trading(00:16:48) - Daily average gain in cattle(00:18:20) - Jordan’s eureka moment in the cattle industry(00:21:08) - What does trading in animals actually look like?(00:27:05) - How Jordan defines his ROI in trading cattle(00:31:17) - The cattle curve(00:33:37) - The state of the cattle market(00:42:10) - Buying the largest cattle feeder in the world(00:46:09) - Grass vs. grain-fed cattle(00:49:15) - Predictions for the cattle supply over the next 10 years(00:50:54) - The international market(00:53:17) - Trading frequencies and macro thesis(01:00:27) - USA beef vs. international beef(01:05:21) - The cattle supply chain(01:07:32) - The future of auction yards and ranchers(01:09:40) - AI in AgTech(01:12:52) - The biggest problem facing the industry(01:14:42) - Livestock as a commodity that dies and how that impacts trading theory(01:20:51) - Is there a market for new entrants into cattle?(01:21:41) - Beef prices and the impact of a closed border on the industry(01:24:39) - Jordan’s biggest ideas for the industry(01:26:49) - Philanthropic efforts(01:31:24) - A day in the life of Jordan(01:26:42) - Risk management in cattle(01:41:17) - Does what you do show a leading indicator to the broader health of the American economy? Support our Sponsors Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
• #407 - JB Mauney - The Greatest Bull Rider That Ever Lived 24.03.2026 2h 55min

  In this episode, I sit down with JB Mauney to unpack the mindset, discipline, and resilience required to become one of the greatest bull riders in the world. We talk through the realities of competing at the highest level while constantly dealing with injuries, and how mental toughness separates the best from the rest. JB shares how he approached his career with a singular focus, what it meant to fully commit without a backup plan, and how he navigated the abrupt transition out of the sport. This conversation offers a raw look at what it takes to pursue excellence in one of the most physically and mentally demanding professions. We discuss: - The role of mental toughness in separating elite performers from the rest - Why riding through pain was a necessity, not a choice - The philosophy of “make plan A work” and going all in on one path - How injuries and setbacks compound over a long career - Transitioning out of a career with no clear backup plan Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:27) - What does it mean to “work bulls”?(00:06:23) - How can you tell if a bull is good?(00:11:35) - JB’s approach to bull riding(00:16:39) - JB’s early life and bull riding(00:23:07) - Being in control of a bull(00:28:00) - How bulls differ(00:32:07) - What’s happening in the chute?(00:40:44) - JB’s injury list(00:43:10) - What makes the difference between the top bull rider and the 50th best bull rider?(00:51:22) - Mental vs. physical technique(00:55:02) - How much do the bull fighters matter?(00:57:28) - Why causes a rider to be thrown off?(01:01:14) - Riding Bushwhacker and what makes the perfect bull(01:14:35) - When bulls die & retire(01:18:55) - BuckTown(01:22:12) - A typical week for a professional bull rider(01:23:37) - The lacerated liver story(01:30:58) - Why BuckTown is a bull rider’s paradise(01:36:24) - How riding is scored(01:43:43) - How do you “practice” bull riding?(01:51:16) - The cowboy code of riding(01:55:48) - Giving a bull a brand of honor(01:57:55) - How they move bulls around the country for rodeos(02:10:05) - Raising bulls in BuckTown(02:12:46) - JB’s routine(02:16:05) - The ABBI(02:20:37) - The buzz around BuckTown(02:30:20) - When a bull knows who their rider was(02:33:43) - Is there one ride over your career that sticks with you?(02:39:10) - Can a bull get a 50 score?(02:46:55) - Wrapping up Links: BuckTown on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BuckTown-XV BuckTown on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bucktown_xv/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #406 - Carl Edwards - From a $1,500 Race Car to the Hall of Fame (and Why He Walked Away) 17.03.2026 1h 25min

  In this episode, I sit down with NASCAR legend Carl Edwards to explore the unlikely journey that took him from a dirt track in Missouri to the highest levels of professional racing. Carl shares how a childhood fascination with his father’s racing career sparked a relentless pursuit that eventually led to NASCAR success. Along the way, we unpack the strategy behind racing, the persistence it took for Carl to break into the sport, and the pivotal moments that defined his career. We also discuss the surprising decision to walk away from racing at the height of his career and the deeper personal transformation that followed. We discuss: - Carl’s early inspiration from watching his father race and the moment he knew he wanted to drive race cars - The persistence and unconventional path it took to break into professional racing and reach NASCAR - The strategic complexity of racing, from managing tire grip to communicating with engineers and crew - Why Carl chose to retire at the peak of his career and the realization that reshaped his priorities - The identity shift, spiritual journey, and life lessons that came after stepping away from racing Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:23) - Carl’s early days racing(00:09:37) - The strategy behind auto racing(00:13:05) - Why isn’t everyone driving a “1st place” car?(00:19:28) - How important is the pit crew?(00:22:13) - What does a typical week look like for a NASCAR driver?(00:23:56) - Carl’s career storyline(00:39:58) - The conversation that led Carl to consider walking away from the sport(00:51:50) - Rebuilding life after NASCAR(01:02:06) - The impact of Cloud Camp & John Marsh(01:17:08) - Being inducted into the NASCAR hall of fame(01:22:15) - What Carl is doing today Links: Carl's hall of fame speech - https://youtu.be/IQJHH2f9EnI Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #405 - Christopher Zook - Founder of CAZ Investments - Building An $11B Alternative Investment Platform 10.03.2026 1h 32min

  Today I sit down with Christopher Zook to explore how he built and scaled CAZ Investments into an $11B alternative investment platform.   Christopher shares the early vision behind launching his firm at age 31 and the philosophy of investing his own capital first before inviting others to participate alongside him. We discuss how a chance confrontation in a country club locker room ultimately forced him to rethink capital formation and marketing, transforming the trajectory of the business. Christopher also breaks down the strategy behind GP stakes, the evolution of private markets, and why alignment with partners sits at the center of everything he does. We discuss: • How Christopher built an investment firm around the principle of investing his own capital first alongside partners • The locker room moment that forced a shift toward proactive capital formation and communication with investors • Designing an irresistible offer by eliminating management fees and aligning incentives entirely with investor outcomes • How GP stakes investing works and why it has become one of the most powerful business models in private markets • Why themes like media rights, private markets expansion, and access to alternatives are shaping the future of investing Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:53) - The origins of CAZ Investments(00:12:42) - Creating the irresistible offer(00:17:38) - Partnering with Tony Robbins(00:36:54) - GP stakes explained(00:41:48) - Secondary market edge(00:44:58) - How GP stakes are underwritten(00:49:48) - Tech and venture carry risk(00:53:12) - Consolidation trends(00:56:31) - Big checks and liquidity rights(01:02:18) - Thematic funds and investor access(01:07:04) - Alignment rules and guardrails(01:11:03) - Sports team investing thesis(01:15:54) - Media rights and league economics(01:26:11) - Democratizing alternatives Links: CAZ Investments - https://cazinvestments.com/ Christopher on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-zook Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #404 - Chris Huckabee - Founder @ MORE Group - From Founder-Led to Private Equity Backed 03.03.2026 1h 30min

  Today’s episode is with a great friend of mine, Chris Huckabee, Founder @ MORE Group.   We unpack his company's remarkable private equity journey and why it was so successful.  Chris shares how the unexpected loss of his business partner pushed him to rethink the future of his company, leading to a strategic shift, a private equity partnership, and rapid national expansion.  We talk candidly about valuation surprises, building trust with employees during major transitions, and what makes a great private equity partner. Then we pivot to education reform, AI’s impact on schools, and the deeply personal story of how Chris helped lead the effort to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, after the tragic shooting. We discuss: • The process Chris went through to pursue private equity and national expansion • Why he told every employee about the strategic plan before making a deal • How to hire the right investment banker • The hard lessons around valuation, deal structure, and selecting the right private equity partner • What AI means for K–12 and higher education and where public education must improve • How he mobilized donors and contractors to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX Links: MoreGroup - https://moregroup-inc.com/ Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-huckabee-693a3a31/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Topics: (00:03:19) - Chris’ journey to finding Private Equity (00:09:27) - Strategic planning (00:11:31) - Valuing the business (00:14:36) - People don’t like change (00:17:43) - Making the decision to pursue PE (00:21:28) - Finding the right Investment Banker (00:37:26) - Selecting a buyer (00:44:44) - The first day after selling to PE (00:47:59) - Going out to buy companies (00:51:16) - What makes a great PE partner (00:57:08) - The state of Education and AI (01:13:16) - Rebuilding Robb Elementary in Uvalde after the 2022 shooting Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #403 - Todd Peterson - A Message For Men 03.02.2026 1h 27min

   I sit down with my friend Todd Peterson to unpack some of the most meaningful conversations we have had over the years about faith, leadership, marriage, and the hidden risks that come with success. We talk candidly about why so many men fall at the peak of their influence and how isolation, pride, and lack of accountability quietly take hold. Todd shares hard-earned perspective from his own life, including lessons from his NFL career, his walk with Jesus, and decades of mentoring men through seasons of growth and unraveling. This conversation is deeply personal, reflective, and grounded in the practical realities of what it means to live with humility, conviction, and purpose. We discuss: Why isolation and unchecked success often lead great men to fall The role of humility, confession, and accountability in long-term leadership How marriage and trusted relationships shape a man’s character and decisions The difference between being saved and actively walking in the Spirit Why meaningful impact is always built through collaboration, not independence This episode is for anyone wrestling with ambition, faith, leadership, or the desire to build a life that holds up over time. Todd Peterson is the interim CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Seed Company, a world leader in accelerated Scripture translation. Seed Company has partnered with more than 900 other agencies to cumulatively impact more than 1,100 language groups over the last 20 years. Peterson was drafted in 1993 by the NY Giants, leading to a 13-year career in the NFL where he also played for Seattle, Kansas City, San Francisco and Atlanta. He set a number of team records and two NFL records – one of which is since broken (most 40-plus-yard field goals in a season). He was named NFL True Value Man of the Year for the Seahawks in 1996 and twice received the NFL Players Association Byron “Whizzer” White award for excellence in character and leadership on his teams. He was twice nominated for the NFL’s Bart Starr Award. Peterson retired in 2006 as one of only 34 players to score over 1,000 points. He is the only player in NFL history to make game-winning field goals for five or more different teams. (00:03:45) - Why great men “fall” (00:08:32) - Success-induced isolation (00:14:23) - Sin (00:21:31) - Salvation (00:23:42) - A day in Todd’s life (00:30:41) - Living in a biblically illiterate world (00:36:03) - The importance of marriage (00:50:08) - Having a close group of men in your life (00:55:42) - Having a relationship with Jesus is hard (01:09:21) - Undeserved favor Links: Seed Company - https://seedcompany.com/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #402 - Moses Kagan & Rhett Bennett - ReSeed Partners: Backing the Next Generation of Elite Real Estate Operators 27.01.2026 1h 24min

  Today I sit down with two of my best friends, Moses Kagan and Rhett Bennett to reflect on how ReSeed has evolved since their first appearance (ep. 278) on the show three years ago.   ReSeed is on a mission to back the next generation of elite real estate operators. We unpacked what has actually happened since launch, how their original vision has held up in practice, and what they have learned by deploying real capital across multiple markets and operators.  We also dug into how they think about underwriting, operator selection, asset management intensity, and navigating a shifting multifamily landscape. It was a candid look at what it really takes to build a disciplined, long term real estate platform in today’s market. We discuss: • How ReSeed’s original thesis has played out after deploying over $100M across multiple operators • What they look for in emerging operators and how the cohort selection process has evolved • Why discipline and patience mattered during a slow deal environment and when opportunities finally opened up • How they approach underwriting, leverage, and long-duration capital in different markets • The realities of asset management, property management, and execution risk at smaller deal sizes This episode is for investors, operators, and anyone interested in building durable real estate businesses with long term alignment and disciplined capital deployment. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:01) - ReSeed's journey and evolution(00:17:14) - Profile and selection of operators(00:25:10) - Partnership and capital structure(00:37:39) - Due diligence and deal approval process(00:40:51) - Cohort integration and support(00:42:55) - Real estate market overview(00:43:22) - Market opportunities and challenges(00:50:41) - Market fatigue and seller dynamics(00:51:20) - Operational challenges and opportunities(01:01:50) - Property management and asset management(01:11:36) - Construction management and budgeting(01:15:06) - Capital allocation(01:23:34) - Closing remarks Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO  POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #401 - Ryan Heath - The Family Office 2.0: How Great Families Grow & Protect Their Legacy 30.12.2025 1h 37min

  In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Heath, Founder of Trustpoint Legal, to explore what a modern “Family Office 2.0” actually looks like and why the old models are falling short. We talk about how family offices are evolving from static wealth preservation vehicles into operating businesses built around people, purpose, and multi-generational decision making. Ryan shares lessons from working closely with families navigating liquidity events, succession, and generational transitions, and why flexibility and intentional design matter more than rigid structures. The conversation centers on treating the family office as a living organization, not just a collection of legal documents. Many can relate to putting in strategic plans for their businesses, their health, etc.  What’s funny is we often don’t put the same planning into what’s most important to us - our family.   Ryan is on a mission to help families change that. We discuss: What defines a Family Office 2.0 and how it differs from traditional family office models Why legacy, values, and human dynamics drive long-term outcomes more than tax efficiency How flexible mandates help families adapt as generations, priorities, and circumstances change The risks of poor communication and rushed planning during liquidity events or succession How intentional family meetings and shared mission statements strengthen multi-generational alignment This episode is especially valuable for founders and families rethinking how to structure wealth, leadership, and legacy in a way that actually works across generations. Links: Ryan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheath1/ TrustPoint Legal - https://www.trustpointlegal.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:05:11) - Legacy over wealth(00:09:04) - Flexibility in estate planning(00:18:25) - The importance of transparency(00:27:22) - Handling family conflicts(00:42:00) - Proactive planning and transparency(00:52:15) - The silver tsunami and trusts for grandchildren(00:54:28) - Ruling from the grave(00:57:49) - Trustees and their roles(01:01:38) - Understanding family offices(01:06:39) - The three pillars of a family office(01:09:21) - The complexities of 678 trusts(01:12:40) - Family limited partnerships explained(01:15:13) - The importance of succession planning(01:22:52) - Coordinating family meetings(01:30:33) - The perfect family office: a case studySupport our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9j POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #400 - Steve Gatena - Co-Founder & CEO @ Pray.com - God, A Revival, Rescuing Lost Men, & Building A Generational Company 23.12.2025 1h 29min

  Today, I sit down with Steve Gatena, Co-Founder & CEO of PRAY, for a conversation about faith, leadership, and building a company with long-term purpose. Steve shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles and playing college football at USC to founding Pray.com and thinking deeply about stewardship, culture, and responsibility. We talk about what it means to lead in moments of tragedy, why community matters more than ever, and how faith intersects with modern business and technology. Throughout the episode, Steve offers a candid look at the frameworks and principles that guide his decisions. We discuss: • Steve’s early life, football career, and the turning points that reshaped his path • Why Hollywood often resists faith and what cultural shifts Steve sees happening today • The “Mission, Team, Self” framework, and how it applies to leadership and decision making • Building Pray.com as a sustainable platform across software, media, and subscriptions • The importance of strong men, building community, and taking accountability Links: Pray.com - https://www.pray.com/ Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker - https://a.co/d/1aNzUXU Steve on X - https://x.com/SteveGatena Topics: 00:00 - Intro03:21 - Charlie Sheen and Hollywood vs. Christianity10:57 - Pray.com since Charlie Kirk’s death13:35 - The journey to becoming a hope dealer19:20 - Lessons playing football for Pete Carroll23:58 - Developing the Mission, Team, Self framework33:26 - The America Prays initiative41:49 - Rescuing men01:05:37 - How do you know if Pray.com is successful?01:17:13 - Building a customer data platform01:25:14 - How do you know if you’re being a successful CEO? Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/fort Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9j POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #399 - Colt McCoy - The Story 09.12.2025 1h 48min

  Today, my good friend Colt McCoy joins me for a deep and personal discussion about his path from small-town Texas to 14 seasons in the NFL, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and the intentional process of stepping away from the game. We talk through his early years growing up on the sidelines, the day he went from being a complete unknown to over 100 Division 1 offers, and the mindset he built while earning the starting job and leading Texas to the National Championship.   Colt reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the 2009 title-game injury, the realities of NFL life, and the teammates, coaches, and owners who influenced him most. He also opens up about the year-long discernment process that led him to retire, move his family to Fort Worth, and build a new career in real estate. We discuss: • Colt’s early upbringing around football and how it shaped his identity • Winning the starting job, leading Texas for four seasons, and the highs and lows along the way • The 2009 national championship injury and its lasting impact • Lessons from 14 years in the NFL, including leadership, longevity, and adapting his game • His decision to retire, prioritize family, and pursue a new path in Fort Worth real estate • The role of faith, patience, and discernment in navigating major life transitions Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Links: Colt on X - https://x.com/ColtMcCoy Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:51) - The realities of working for ESPN and calling games (00:11:15) - Colt’s earliest memories of football (00:18:31) - The impact of Colt’s dad (00:22:45) - Earning a scholarship to The University of Texas (00:34:34) - Colt’s career at UT (00:47:32) - Colt’s greatest memory at UT (00:57:43) - The state of College football (00:58:40) - The Michael Crabtree story (01:04:27) - The toughest environments to play in (01:06:24) - Colt’s NFL career (01:08:58) - The biggest learning curve going from the NCAA to the NFL (01:17:35) - Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever seen? (01:19:04) - What Colt misses the most about being in the NFL (01:20:59) - Who’s the scariest player you’ve gone up against? (01:23:27) - What was the hardest hit you’ve ever taken? (01:26:11) - The decision to leave the NFL and life after football Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9j POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/
• #398 - Cody Campbell - Saving College Sports, NIL, & A $7B Opportunity 18.11.2025 56min

  Today's guest, Cody Campbell, digs into the forces reshaping college athletics and his plan to ensure a solution that works for every stakeholder.  We discuss: • How changing laws and court decisions created a brief window for Tech to act boldly • Why Texas Tech’s culture, alumni base, and momentum made the strategy work • How court rulings displaced the NCAA and fueled today’s chaotic environment • The financial strain on athletic departments and the risk posed to Olympic and women’s sports • The influence of commissioners, media companies, and private equity on the future of the system • Cody’s vision for reform and why federal action is the only path to long-term stability Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:00) - Transforming Texas Tech in the NIL era (00:05:11) - The strategy for acquiring talent (00:12:38) - Legal changes and their impact on college sports (00:19:43) - The financial realities of college athletics (00:29:35) - The need for unified media rights in college sports (00:33:07) - Fan engagement and conference dynamics (00:35:05) - Private equity in college sports (00:39:30) - Challenges with NIL and enforcement (00:44:28) - Proposed solutions for college sports (00:48:50) - The role of government and leadership (00:52:47) - Cultural importance of college sports Links: Cody on X - https://x.com/CodyC64 Support our Sponsors Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: ⁠https://collateral.com/fort⁠ Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: ⁠https://x.com/fortworthchris⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠ Watch POWERS on YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/3oynxNX⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://www.powerspod.com/⁠ Leave a review on Apple: ⁠https://bit.ly/45crFD0⁠ Leave a review on Spotify: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO⁠  POWERS is produced by ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/⁠