Pieces of Impact

Эпизоды

• 
  #40: 26 Conversations Later - The 5 Lessons That Actually Stuck 07.08.2026 28мин

  After every guest conversation on Longfire, I save one piece of advice that stayed with me. For episode 40, I went back through all 26 interviews and grouped those ideas into five themes: expect the work to be hard, choose direction over activity, build the work around a life you actually want, remember that people are the point, and stay teachable.This is my slightly late 2026 midyear check-in on what the show has taught me so far. I get into volume and luck, strategy as subtraction, work that gives energy back, the outdoors as a reset, the cost of chasing achievement at the expense of relationships, and why collecting advice is not the same as living it. If one lesson stays with you, send me a note and tell me which one.Subscribe to Longfire for more thoughtful conversations with builders, athletes, outdoorsmen, entrepreneurs, and original people whose stories are worth gathering around.00:00 26 Conversations, Five Lessons 01:45 Why Episode 40 Was the Time to Look Back 02:18 The Work Is Supposed to Be Hard 08:34 Direction Matters More Than Activity 13:50 Build the Work Around a Life You Actually Want 19:18 People Are the Point 23:51 Stay Teachable and Optimistic 26:44 Summary and Conclusion
• 
  #39: Steve Smith -The Career Move I Wish I Made 20 Years Earlier 31.07.2026 59мин

  Steve Smith has spent nearly 30 years at the intersection of technology, strategy, and operations, with a career spanning startups, IBM, TSIA, 8x8, and now Intelligence by Intent, where he helps law firms put AI to work. In this conversation, we trace his path from teaching adults to program when he was 13 to leaving corporate America and building a business he says he wishes he had started 20 years earlier.Steve explains why AI should handle individual tasks while people protect relationships and judgment, how firms can move from chatbots to agents, and how his agent system, Project Ollie, manages email, calendars, research, projects, and client knowledge. We also talk about becoming more present with family, protecting close friendships, skiing with his kids, and the standing rule that work stops whenever his 165-pound Saint Bernard brings him a toy.Chapters:00:00 Rapid Fire: Ping Pong, Star Wars, and Steak With Magnus03:54 Thirty Years in Tech, Startups, IBM, and RevOps06:46 The Career Move He Wishes He Made 20 Years Earlier08:54 The AI Advice Steve Gives His Kids12:40 Building Intelligence by Intent for Law Firms16:48 Choosing the Right AI Tool and Moving Beyond Chatbots22:55 Teaching Adults to Code at 13 and Learning How to Learn26:26 Magnus: Life With a 165-Pound Saint Bernard33:53 Building More Time for Family, Friends, and Presence38:21 Writing, Teaching, and Sharing What He Learns46:24 Project Ollie: The Agent System Running His Business52:46 Claude Code, ChatGBT, and Agentic Travel Planning56:12 Final Wisdom: Find What Makes You TickSubscribe to Longfire for more stories worth gathering around.Show LinksWatch on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35Connect with Steve Seger on LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerIntelligence by Intent:https://intelligencebyintent.com/Read Steve Smith’s Substack:https://www.smithstephen.com/Connect with Steve Smith on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithstephen
• 
  A New Name and a Clearer Mission: Welcome to Longfire 23.07.2026 3мин

  In this short solo episode, Steve explains why Pieces of Impact is becoming Longfire and what the new name represents. Longfire will continue sharing conversations with builders, athletes, outdoorsmen, entrepreneurs, creators, and original people with worlds worth stepping into, but with a clearer mission: to tell stories worth gathering around. The goal is to help busy, ambitious people slow down, reconnect, and remember the people, places, and experiences that make the work worthwhile.
• 
  #38: Rick Wittenbraker - The Brand Lessons Behind YETI and Howler Brothers 24.07.2026 55мин

  Rick Wittenbraker has built a career by following curiosity into rooms he was not necessarily planning to enter. His path has included private equity in Latin America, commodities trading, a medical device startup, YETI’s early growth, angel investing, and more than a decade helping grow Howler Brothers. He joined YETI when eight employees shared one Gmail account, then later joined his friends at Howler Brothers as the company grew from a small team into a distinctive outdoor brand.In this conversation, Rick explains why the best brands know what they are not, why creativity and originality have to be protected as a company grows, and how curiosity can create opportunities that no career plan could predict. We also discuss building work around things you genuinely care about, investing as an extension of learning, creating companies that can outlast their founders, his belief that every business is ultimately a people business, and why he can beat Liam Neeson in a fight (All Credit to Seth MacFarlane for the bit).Subscribe for more stories like Rick's.Chapters:00:00 Rapid Fire: Liam Neeson, Favorite Brands, and Lonesome Dove06:16 Rick’s Path From Private Equity to YETI10:53 From YETI to Howler Brothers Through Friendship12:49 What Made Early YETI Special17:49 How YETI Turned Coolers Into a Tribe19:39 Building a Complete Brand World at Howler Brothers24:48 Protecting Creativity as the Company Grows27:58 Why Every Brand Needs a “Not List”30:49 Finding Work That Overlaps With What You Love36:08 Investing as an Exercise in Curiosity46:19 Building a Company That Outlasts Its Founders51:04 Every Business Is a People BusinessWatch on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35Howler Brothers: https://howlerbros.com/Howler Brothers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlerbrosRick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wittrick/?hl=en
• 
  #37: Kate and Brandon Couden: The Real Business Behind a Great Gym 17.07.2026 42мин

  Kate and Brandon Couden are the husband-and-wife team behind CrossFit Grandview in Columbus, Ohio. Brandon started the gym in 2009 after taking over the old Rogue Fitness gym with almost no resources, a small private loan, and only 14 members. Kate brought 13 years of experience at Lifetime Fitness, where she built a foundation in personal training, nutrition, and understanding what strong fitness culture can look like.In this conversation, we talk about building a gym from the ground up, growing from survival mode into a real business, and creating a community that can evolve with people through different seasons of life. We also get into the economics of gym ownership, payroll and equipment costs, buying a building, working together as a couple, making decisions when you disagree, and avoiding burnout in a people-based business. Subscribe for more conversations like this.Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerCrossFit Grandview: https://crossfitgrandview.com/CrossFit Grandview Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitgrandview/00:00 Building Something That Compounds02:08 Kate’s Path From Lifetime Fitness to CrossFit Grandview03:17 Brandon’s Path 05:58 Starting With Almost Nothing and 14 Members08:38 Early Traction and Getting People Into It09:55 Moving to Grandview and Building a Bigger Vision11:48 Nutrition, Childcare, and Keeping Members in the Community13:41 Barbell, Power Hour, HYROX, and Training for Longevity18:00 Day-to-Day Ownership and Avoiding Burnout23:08 Working Together as a Couple28:34 The Economics of Running a Gym That Lasts36:23 What They Would Do Differently
• 
  #36: Dr. Paul Sereno - The Real-Life Indiana Jones and the Age of Discovery 10.07.2026 1ч 8мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Paul Sereno, a paleontologist, professor, explorer, artist, author, teacher, and one of the closest things you will find to a real-life Indiana Jones.Dr. Sereno has led expeditions across the world, from the Sahara to South America and now toward the Amazon. We get into AI, de-extinction, lost fossils, the asteroid that changed Earth’s history, whether humans would exist if that asteroid had missed, his course on intelligence in the universe, and why he believes the world is still a playground for the next generation.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@steve_seger2?si=2E2mUXAfOLL9ztyQListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTS...Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerGuest LinksPaul Sereno Website: https://paulsereno.uchicago.edu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulserenoofficial/?hl=enChapter Markers00:00 Intro and why I wanted to have Dr. Paul Sereno on02:02 Dr. Sereno joins the show06:44 Dr. Safety, black bones, and leading expeditions11:21 The real-life Indiana Jones comparison16:15 Why discovery is far from over24:00 AI, de-extinction, and what people misunderstand31:59 The Amazon expedition and the next big discovery37:10 Teaching, science, and the evolution of intelligence49:19 Lost fossils, repatriation, and preserving history54:25 Would humans exist if the asteroid missed?57:49 Naming discoveries, future expeditions, and final wisdom1:06:54 Where to find Dr. Sereno
• 
  #35: Aaron Foss - How to Turn Everyday Problems Into Businesses That Scale 03.07.2026 1ч 8мин

  Aaron Foss is a serial entrepreneur who has built five companies, including Nomorobo, the service that has stopped billions of unwanted robocalls and spam texts. Nomorobo was acquired by Applause Group in August 2023. Before that, Aaron participated in Techstars NYC with SideTour, which Groupon acquired in 2013. He has testified before Congress three times and has been featured by outlets including The New York Times, Wired, CNN, CNBC, and Fox News.In this conversation, Aaron explains how to identify problems worth solving, distinguish progress from real traction, and know when to narrow your focus from a wide flashlight into a laser. We also discuss why entrepreneurs should fall in love with the problem instead of chasing trends, how constraints can improve creativity, what he looks for in founders, and why his work with Defy Ventures has become such an important part of his life. Aaron also shares lessons from building and selling companies, along with the books and negotiation tools that helped him along the way. Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Join the newsletter:https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35Connect with Steve on LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerConnect with Aaron and explore his work:https://go.aaronfoss.com/linktreeLearn more about Defy Ventures:https://www.defyventures.org/Never Split the Difference Negotiation Cheat Sheet:https://medium.com/yanda/negotiation-cheat-sheet-31c73031956a00:00 From Tech Kid to Serial Problem Solver03:41 The Wing Dipper and Learning Through Real Feedback07:48 Techstars, Focus, and the Road to Nomorobo14:53 Retiring at 45 to Coach Entrepreneurs16:19 Start With the Problem, Then Narrow the Beam21:23 Constraints, Forcing Functions, and Learning by Doing29:24 Fall in Love With the Problem, Not Your Passion35:19 Every Interview Is a Pitch, and Experience Beats a Resume41:30 Defy Ventures and Entrepreneurship After Incarceration48:18 Progress vs. Traction: The Proof Investors Need54:43 Mistakes, Book Recommendations, and Founder Green/Flags01:05:27 Final Wisdom: Keep It Simple
• 
  #34: A Sith Lord, a $90K Dog, a Redfish, and a Duck Stamp 26.06.2026 19мин

  In this solo episode of Pieces of Impact, I walk through four unrelated rabbit holes I went down recently: Darth Bane and the Rule of Two in Star Wars, trained protection dogs that can cost around $90,000 or more, a quick oral report on redfish, and the federal duck stamp. The goal here is simple: learn a little, have some fun, and share a few topics I found interesting enough to dig into.Subscribe for more solo episodes and long-form conversations on Pieces of Impact.00:00 Introduction to the Solo Episode01:54 Darth Bane and the Rule of Two07:03 The World of Trained Protection Dogs10:23 Exploring Redfish: A Deep Dive15:13 The Federal Duck Stamp: Conservation in Action
• 
  #33: Carter Huff: The Story Behind Bogey’s Barn 19.06.2026 51мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Carter Huff, an Army veteran and the man behind Bogey’s Barn. Carter invited me up to his place to record this conversation inside the pole barn he is turning into a home gym, training space, and brand named after his basset hound, Bogey.Bogey of course was a big contributor to this candid discussion. Check out the video version to see him.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerGuest LinksBogey’s Barn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bogeys_barn/Bogey’s Barn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bogeys.barnBogey’s Barn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568794403157#Chapter Markers00:00 Intro and why I drove up to Bogey’s Barn02:03 Carter joins the show inside the barn02:39 Carter’s background, military path, and return to Ohio03:36 Bogey, basset hounds, and the story behind the name04:43 Buying the property and building the barn piece by piece08:41 Finding the farmhouse and why people connect with the space14:26 Posting every day and growing Bogey’s Barn authentically22:08 Marathon prep, hybrid training, and removing excuses32:00 Bogey’s role, diet, basset hounds, and life at the barn41:55 Carter’s long-term vision, rapid fire, and final wisdom
• 
  #32: Scott Trench: Financial Independence, BiggerPockets, and Building Leverage 12.06.2026 44мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Scott Trench, former CEO of BiggerPockets and host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, to talk about financial independence, career leverage, house hacking, and the path that took him from early employee to leading one of the biggest real estate education platforms.We get into why financial runway creates better career options, how Scott made himself valuable early at BiggerPockets, what it looked like when the company sold, how he thinks about personal brand and AI, and why financial freedom is about more than just real estate. We also talk about family, kids, wealth, strategy, and the advice he hopes listeners remember.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpRListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491bConnect with Steve on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerGuest Links:Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22/BP Money Podcast: https://youtube.com/@biggerpocketsmoney?si=P1_KewEzj67-oYuVChapter markers00:00 Intro and why Scott’s work matters to Steve03:33 Scott joins the show04:00 Life after stepping down as CEO05:28 Balance, obsession, and CEO stress07:14 Finding BiggerPockets through financial independence07:46 Mr. Money Mustache, house hacking, and early FI thinking10:16 Building financial runway after college11:39 Making yourself valuable as an early employee14:10 Choosing equity and upside16:34 What a company sale looks like from the inside19:31 Learning from Josh Dorkin and a professional CEO20:50 Set for Life and what still applies today22:16 BiggerPockets Money and the next FI problems25:45 Personal brand as a long-term asset27:38 AI, original thought, and better financial planning32:27 Why AI rewards people who understand the full problem35:02 Wealth, kids, and not imposing your system38:50 The financial independence car pick39:05 Common early-career money mistake39:21 Underrated career skills39:37 Content formats he is bullish on40:19 Book recommendations40:59 House hack, index funds, or business equity41:17 AI use cases he is excited about42:08 A day with no responsibilities42:33 Current workout split42:56 Final wisdom: what strategy really means44:02 Where to find Scott
• 
  #31: Joe Simonds - Why Niches Still Win in the AI Age 05.06.2026 59мин

  Joe Simonds is an author and co-founder of Salt Strong, a fishing education, content, membership, tackle, and community business he started with his brother Luke after leaving financial services. In this episode, we talk about walking away from a successful but unfulfilling career, building Salt Strong from scratch, working with family, growing through content and community, and what changed after the company’s recent sale.We also get into AI, why “riches are made in niches,” protecting community standards, the fishing theme park idea, and why writing down your mission, vision, and core beliefs can change how you build. Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@stevesegerWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@steve_seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpRListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491bConnect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevesegerGuest links:Website: SaltStrong.com, Joe’s book link: https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Happiness-Ultimate-Achieving-Fulfillment/dp/0692733051Salt Strong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaltstrongSalt Strong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltstrong/00:00 Why I Wanted to Have Joe On02:19 Leaving Financial Services for Something More Fulfilling09:06 The First Sale That Made Salt Strong Possible10:25 Seven Months Before Taking a Day Off11:36 What Works and Doesn’t When Building With Family14:45 Free Content, Memberships, and the First Signs of Momentum18:31 Community First, App Second24:10 Core Beliefs, No Cursing, and Protecting the Culture25:54 Riches Are Made in Niches, Even in the AI Age31:06 Selling Salt Strong Without Losing the Mission37:59 The Funniest Part of Selling the Company41:27 The Fishing Theme Park Vision51:00 The Grandfather Story and Creating Memories That Matter55:58 Final Wisdom: Write Down the Mission
• 
  #30: Carter Dorsch - Growing a Brokerage, Building Trust, and Selling the Forgotten Coast 29.05.2026 1ч 20мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Carter Dorsch, Co-Owner at 98 Real Estate Group, to talk about real estate on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. We get into Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Hurricane Michael, what makes the area so unique, and how Carter went from sitting in empty open houses with a chair and flyers to helping build one of the top real estate brands in the market.We also talk about branding, newsletters, handwritten letters, AI listing descriptions that sound like a robot had too much coffee, Ed Ball, the St. Joe Company, college football, local food spots, and why “don’t half-ass it” is solid life advice. Carter is sharp, honest, and easy to talk to, and this was a really fun one for anyone interested in real estate, marketing, or coastal towns. Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.Chapters: 00:00 Intro02:24 Carter Dorsch Joins the Show02:54 Running 98 Real Estate Group03:43 Florida’s Forgotten Coast04:45 COVID and Coastal Demand06:09 Hurricane Michael and Mexico Beach08:30 Building Codes and Stronger Homes12:15 Rebuilding After the Storm14:36 Getting Started at 9817:31 Early Pressure and Eating What You Kill21:43 Buying Into the Business23:34 Lessons From Ownership25:03 Branding and Visibility26:52 Newsletters and Referrals28:40 AI in Real Estate31:34 Smarter Direct Mail34:51 Fastest-Growing Coastal Markets37:27 Recruiting Agents and Protecting the Brand40:59 Ed Ball, DuPont, and George Washington43:25 The St. Joe Company53:17 The Future of the Forgotten Coast59:45 Carter’s Long-Term Vision1:02:34 College Football1:05:52 Rapid Fire1:10:29 Handwritten Letters Still Work1:14:08 Famous Clients1:15:32 Don’t Half-Ass It1:17:35 The Myrtle Beach Closing Story1:19:53 Where to Find Carter
• 
  #29: Joe Cermele on Fishing Media, Audience Trust, and Staying Original 22.05.2026 1ч 20мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Joe Cermele to talk about his career in fishing media, from Field & Stream and Outdoor Life to MeatEater and now building Cut & Retie as an independent show. We get into writing, storytelling, creative freedom, audience trust, sponsors, and what it actually looks like to build a media business around your own voice.Joe shares what he learned from nearly 20 years inside outdoor media, why personality-driven content has changed the industry, how hard it is to start from zero today, and why being independent gives you freedom but rarely gives you safety. We also get into AI, old fishing stories, why he hates dolphins, and why looking for Bigfoot is a respectable career path.Check us out on Podmonitor: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G1q77ZGcc4iwO87rj0tC88WJQh7YaiMB/view?usp=sharingJoin the Pieces of Impact community and subscribe for more conversations like this. 00:01 Intro and why Joe appreciated a conversation outside the fishing world00:55 Joe’s current life as an independent media creator02:16 Creative work vs. building a business04:36 How 20 years in media shaped his current path07:40 Creating your own luck in outdoor media11:51 Early adoption, blogs, video, and Hook Shots17:34 Field & Stream archives and what old fishing media can teach us19:07 Amazon trip, media trips, and international fishing logistics22:36 Moving to MeatEater and learning the business side of media25:42 Joining MeatEater right before COVID27:39 Why hunting content can be more lucrative than fishing content29:52 Why he started Cut & Retie 34:21 Building community and the platform he wishes he owned38:14 Family, privacy, and being personal without filming everything41:33 What Joe’s community actually looks like44:38 Authenticity, over-sharing, and not forcing a persona47:32 Why starting from zero today would be so difficult49:59 Independent podcast economics and sponsor volatility52:43 Protecting audience trust with brand partnerships54:55 Where fishing media is heading58:10 AI, search, and the future of outdoor writing01:03:15 The ghost striper story01:07:56 Finding Bigfoot, River Monsters, and burnout in dream jobs01:09:51 Rapid fire round01:10:25 Writer recommendation: Riverhorse Nakadate01:11:46 Best place Joe has ever fished01:12:42 How playing in bands helped his media career01:14:47 Why Joe hates dolphins01:16:39 Final wisdom: originality over competition01:17:57 Where to find Joe and Cut & Retie
• 
  #28: Zak Herbstreit: Media, NIL, and What Makes College Football Special 15.05.2026 59мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Zak Herbstreit, former Ohio State player and now host of Off Script at On3, to talk about his transition from football into sports media, why On3 felt like the right fit, and what he is learning as he builds his voice in the college football world.We get into how he approaches content, what it is like being behind the scenes at major games, why staying unbiased matters in this job, and his honest take on NIL, the transfer portal, and whether the sport can keep what makes it special.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.00:02 Intro and Zak’s background01:32 Why On3 felt like the right fit02:26 Why he moved away from coaching12:44 Relationships and access in sports media13:51 Getting reps and growing the platform18:15 How he plans and films game-day content21:15 Ohio State-Michigan tunnel story22:43 Staying unbiased in media27:52 NIL, transfer portal, and commitment49:30 Five-year vision50:47 Rapid fire round57:15 Final wisdom and where to find Zak
• 
  #27: World Record Bucks, The Masters, Florida Land, and Pyramid Theories 08.05.2026 18мин

  In this solo episode, I walk through four rabbit holes I went down this week: the Mitch Rompola world-record buck controversy, the behind-the-scenes world of the Masters from my own time there, the St. Joe Company and the Northwest Florida land empire built by a descendant of George Washington, and the theory that the Great Pyramid may have been built from the inside out.None of these really connect, and that is kind of the point. They are just four rabbit holes I spent entirely too much time watching YouTube videos on this week. If you like episodes that mix sports, business history, the outdoors, and old-world theories, this one should be a fun listen.00:00 Intro and the four topics01:19 Mitch Rompola buck controversy05:11 The Masters and Augusta’s behind-the-scenes rules11:01 The St. Joe Company and the Green Empire15:21 The Great Pyramid inside-out theory19:21 Recap and outro
• 
  #25: Mike Truitt - What It Really Takes to Buy, Grow, and Sell a Business 24.04.2026 58мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Mike Truitt to talk about his path from inside sales to business ownership, what it looked like to buy Disney McLane with his business partner, Craig, in 2007, and how they grew and eventually sold the company.We also get into what the business actually does, how they expanded across multiple states, and what it means to lead a company through a recession.Mike shares lessons on choosing the right business partner, retaining employees, reinvesting in people, and planning an exit years before you take it. We also talk about the discipline he took from his military family, what real pressure looks like, and the advice from his dad that still guides him today: sharpen your pencil.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.00:01 Intro and why Mike’s story matters01:42 Early jobs and how he got into Disney McLane03:41 Buying the business in 2007 and selling in 202004:34 What Disney McLane actually does08:12 Taking over right before the 2008 recession10:55 Growing territory, lines, and offices13:47 Choosing the right business partner17:09 Retention, rewards, and taking care of employees23:06 What he would and wouldn’t do differently24:35 Exit strategy and grooming the next owners29:22 Reinvesting in the business and standing out33:00 Investing, side ventures, and the gas station37:23 Military background and lessons on discipline40:47 What real pressure looks like44:45 Family history and tracing the Truitt tree51:12 Rapid fire round56:05 Final wisdom
• 
  #26: AI Star Wars, Blue Zones, a Farm Business Idea, and a Powerful Parable 01.05.2026 18мин

  In this solo episode, I walk through four topics I’ve been thinking about lately: AI-generated Star Wars videos on YouTube, the Blue Zones documentary on longevity, a farm and community business model that really caught my attention, and an old parable about aging parents.I get into where AI fan content might be heading, what the Blue Zones get right about health, why Sweet Honey Farm feels like such a smart product, and the reminder to stay humble and grateful for the people who dropped branches on the trail before us.00:00 Intro and the four topics01:56 AI Star Wars on YouTube and how fast it’s improving06:12 Blue Zones and why environment matters more than biohacks09:19 Sweet Honey Farm and the business of selling an environment11:16 Why people would actually pay for a place like this14:02 The aged mother parable16:02 The branches someone else dropped before you17:12 Recap and closing takeawaysSubscribe if you enjoy solo episodes like this alongside the longer conversations on Pieces of Impact. If you want 2-3 minute recaps of my episodes in a weekly email, subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@steveseger?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
• 
  #24: Justin Inacio on What Pro Lacrosse Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes 17.04.2026 1ч 10мин

  In this episode, I sit down with Justin Inacio, a Team Canada silver medalist, 3x All American at Ohio State, and current professional lacrosse player, to talk about the growth of lacrosse, what life actually looks like in the pro game, and the path that took him from Canada to Columbus.Justin opens up about nearly quitting on a full ride, turning down the med school path to bet on lacrosse, building camps and training businesses around the sport, and the lesson he keeps giving young athletes: everyone practices, but the extra work after practice is what separates people.Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.00:01 Intro and why this conversation matters01:13 The state of lacrosse, the pro leagues, and the 2028 Olympics06:30 Growing up in Canada and playing multiple sports08:19 The recruiting process, Harvard, and choosing Ohio State14:15 Freshman struggles and nearly quitting on a full ride20:18 Draft process, med school, and deciding to go pro25:49 How pro lacrosse actually works, travel, jobs, and league economics31:22 Building a life around lacrosse through camps, coaching, and training49:07 Westside Barbell and how he trains55:46 Five to ten year vision and the dream of pro teams in Columbus58:47 Coaching kids and realizing words can change lives01:01:25 Wrap up round01:07:14 Final wisdom and closing thoughtsFollow Justin on Social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@justininacio30?si=eJO-n0jIRybnDHlvInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justininacio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justininacio30Check out his business here:https://ovrpwrsports.com/
• 
  #23: Parkinson’s Law, Public Sinks, Football Black Belts, and Darth Vader 10.04.2026 12мин

  This is a solo episode where I walk through four topics I’ve been digging into lately: Parkinson’s Law, why sinks are placed outside bathrooms, a black belt coaching Ohio State’s defensive line, and whether an R-rated Darth Vader movie could actually work.No big theme here. Just four ideas I found interesting, useful, or fun to discuss. If you like picking up a few different insights in one sitting, this one’s for you.Chapters00:00 Intro to Four Topics (Click this to Decide if this is worth your time)01:20 Understanding Parkinson's Law06:39 The Psychology of Public Sinks09:20 Innovative Coaching: Joe Kim's Journey12:12 The Dark Side of Darth Vader
• 
  #22: Willie Austing: Country Music, Family, College Football, and the Work That Feels Like Play 03.04.2026 1ч 25мин

  In this episode, I sit down with independent country artist Willie Austing to talk about his path into music, his new EP Outgrown, and what it actually takes to build a craft over time. We get into songwriting, recording, early live shows, and the reality of developing skills across multiple areas at once.Willie shares the behind-the-scenes side of the process, including burnout, self-teaching instruments, and what it feels like to get completely locked into your work for hours at a time. We also talk about balancing a full-time job, relationships, and creative work, and what separates people who stick with it from those who don’t.00:18 Intro to Willie Austing01:31 Willie's background, sports, and how music started02:27 New EP Outgrown, burnout, and why sometimes less is more06:37 Songwriting process, melody vs. words, and the story behind “Two Birds”10:24 Why smooth wording matters, plus the Game of Thrones coffee cup analogy13:00 Learning guitar, sound, recording, and becoming self-sufficient21:16 First open mics, first paid gig, and learning live performance30:54 Wedding performances, nerves, and opening for Rodney Atkins37:07 Worst gig story and what rough reps teach you42:30 Musical influences and what shaped his sound45:29 Social media, posting music, and trying to reach new people49:18 Balancing a full-time job, relationships, health, and music57:14 The long-term dream, AI, and protecting the human side of art01:02:15 College football, Texas fandom, and fall Saturdays01:14:31 Rapid fire round01:22:54 Final wisdom and where to find WillieFind Willie Austing Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willie_austing/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willie_music_Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5wpW51yR2aENy8QINandGP?si=RsKNYIBKSrCb6PZDK7OXuAApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/willie-austing/1739712915