Pieces of Impact
Conversations with people in business, sports, media, and the outdoors who are building impactful lives on their own terms.
Episodes
#48: Jake Hounshell - From $750 in Vintage Hats to Shells Vintage
Jake Hounshell is the founder of Shells Vintage Hat Co., a Charlotte-based business selling vintage sports hats and original, ’90s-inspired designs. A Raleigh native and University of South Carolina graduate, Jake started buying hats to resell with $750 of graduation money in 2019. He later created his own State Snaps and city designs, leaving his sales job in 2021 to run the business full-time.I’
#49: John Langmore - Cowboy, Lawyer, and a Life Behind the Camera
John Langmore is an Austin-based photographer, author, and documentary filmmaker who has also worked as a cowboy and corporate lawyer. His books include Open Range and Fault Lines, and he co-directed Cowboys: A Documentary Portrait with Bud Force.We talk about going to work on Benny Binion’s Montana ranch at twelve, entering law, and finding his way back to the cowboy world through photography and
#47: Sarah Calhoun - Work Pants, a Music Festival, and Small-Town Montana
Sarah Calhoun is the founder of Red Ants Pants, a women’s workwear company based in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. A former outdoor instructor and trail-crew leader, she launched the business in 2006 after years of working in pants that didn’t fit. She also founded the Red Ants Pants Music Festival and leads the Red Ants Pants Foundation, which supports women’s leadership and rural communities.In
#46: Ron Schara: The Man Behind Minnesota Bound
Ron Schara is an outdoor writer, television producer, and the creator of Minnesota Bound. A former Minneapolis Tribune and Star Tribune outdoors columnist, he launched the show in 1995 with his black Lab, Raven, and later hosted ESPN’s Backroads with Ron and Raven. Before any of that, he was a music student who wanted to be the next Andy Williams.In this conversation, Ron shares how a writing prof
#45: Mike Perry - A Literary Life Five Minutes From the Deer Stand
Mike Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, speaker, musician, volunteer firefighter, and first responder from rural Wisconsin. Raised on a dairy farm, he worked summers as a Wyoming ranch hand, became a registered nurse, and eventually built a writing career rooted in rural people, places, and work. He has written more than 25 books, including Population: 485, and performs with h
#44: Ed Roberson - The Strenuous Life, the Long Game, and Finding Your People
Ed Roberson is the creator and host of Mountain & Prairie, a podcast and platform about the people shaping the future of the American West through its land, communities, and culture. In this conversation, we trace the path that took him from a small town in eastern North Carolina and a conventional career in real estate to conservation work and a creative side project that eventually became hi
#43: Will Harris - What Happens When a Farm Thinks in Generations
Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman and the owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, where his family has farmed since 1866. After spending more than 20 years running a conventional monoculture cattle operation, Will began dismantling the industrial model and rebuilding the farm around animal welfare, healthy soil, natural cycles, and a radically traditional approach to agricultu
#42: April Vokey: The Wild Life Behind Anchored Outdoors
April Vokey has spent 25 years building a life around fishing. She decided to pursue professional fishing at 18, started her first business at 21, guided for steelhead in British Columbia, created the television series Shorelines, launched Anchored with April Vokey, and built Anchored Outdoors into an education platform and community for anglers.In this conversation, April takes us from landing a
#41: Tyler Sharp: Africa, Hemingway, and the Story Behind Modern Huntsman
Tyler Sharp is a documentary photographer, writer, filmmaker, and the founder, CEO, and editor in chief of Modern Huntsman, an independent publication focused on hunting, conservation, food, culture, and wild places. In this conversation, we trace the path that took him from USC film school to the Tanzanian bush, years of traveling and working around the world, and eventually building Modern Hunts
#40: 26 Conversations Later - The 5 Lessons That Actually Stuck
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
#39: Steve Smith -The Career Move I Wish I Made 20 Years Earlier
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 yea
A New Name and a Clearer Mission: Welcome to Longfire
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
#38: Rick Wittenbraker - The Brand Lessons Behind YETI and Howler Brothers
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
#37: Kate and Brandon Couden: The Real Business Behind a Great Gym
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
#36: Dr. Paul Sereno - The Real-Life Indiana Jones and the Age of Discovery
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 w
#35: Aaron Foss - How to Turn Everyday Problems Into Businesses That Scale
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 includin
#34: A Sith Lord, a $90K Dog, a Redfish, and a Duck Stamp
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.Subscrib
#33: Carter Huff: The Story Behind Bogey’s Barn
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 conver
#32: Scott Trench: Financial Independence, BiggerPockets, and Building Leverage
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
#31: Joe Simonds - Why Niches Still Win in the AI Age
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
#30: Carter Dorsch - Growing a Brokerage, Building Trust, and Selling the Forgotten Coast
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 a
#29: Joe Cermele on Fishing Media, Audience Trust, and Staying Original
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
#28: Zak Herbstreit: Media, NIL, and What Makes College Football Special
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 mat
#27: World Record Bucks, The Masters, Florida Land, and Pyramid Theories
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 conne
#25: Mike Truitt - What It Really Takes to Buy, Grow, and Sell a Business
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 shar
#26: AI Star Wars, Blue Zones, a Farm Business Idea, and a Powerful Parable
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 s
#24: Justin Inacio on What Pro Lacrosse Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes
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, build
#23: Parkinson’s Law, Public Sinks, Football Black Belts, and Darth Vader
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 sittin
#22: Willie Austing: Country Music, Family, College Football, and the Work That Feels Like Play
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 ins
#21: Michael Alberse: Living in a Van at Google, Cash Flow Investing, and Alternative Assets
Michael Alberse joins Pieces of Impact to talk about his path from building out a cargo van in college to living in it while working at Google, all while stacking capital and learning how to invest with more intention. We get into how that season shaped his habits, why he focuses on cash-flowing and alternative investments today, and how he’s building a brand around teaching personal finance in a
#20: Steele Chambers - From Ohio State to the NFL and UFL + Building a Media Career
Steele Chambers joins Pieces of Impact to talk about his path from growing up in Georgia to Ohio State, his stops in the NFL, and what life looks like in the UFL. We get into a typical day in camp and how he’s started building a voice in media through his Tape Talk breakdowns and the Bobby Carpenter show.We also cover the position change that reshaped his career, the cookie jar mindset that helped
#19: Spoon Lures, Harry Potter HBO, Red Rising, and Standing Out in the AI Age
In this solo episode, I hit four topics I’ve been thinking about lately: the surprisingly interesting history of the spoon fishing lure, the new Harry Potter HBO series, why I’m all-in on the Red Rising books, and how I’m trying to stand out with authentic outreach in an AI-heavy world.Pieces of Impact is where I document conversations (and occasional solo episodes) about business, fitness, sports
#18: Jakob James on College Football, the Transfer Portal, and Life After Football
Jakob James joins Pieces of Impact to talk about his journey from Cincinnati to Ohio State and Toledo, and what big-time college football really teaches you about discipline, adversity, and long-term growth. We go behind the scenes on game week preparation, locker room dynamics, NIL, the transfer portal, and what it takes to earn trust inside a top program.We also discuss life after football, how
#17: Adam Breneman: Turning Football Into Business (Media, Deals, Real Estate)
Adam Breneman is a former college football player turned broadcaster and entrepreneur. In this episode, we talk about how he reinvented himself after football, the mentors and moments that shaped his mindset, and why he believes “volume negates luck” when you’re trying to build something real.We also get into the business behind his content: how he earns trust and access with coaches, how brand pa
#16: Spencer Wonder:Terra Firma Tackle, Great White Sharks, and Responsible Land-Based Shark Fishing
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, I sit down with Spencer Wonder, founder of Terra Firma Tackle. We talk about Spencer’s path from marine science and teaching to building a tackle company, what it looks like to run a product business with a small team, and why reputation and quality control matter.We also get into great white sharks, how land-based shark fishing is changing fast, an
#15: Dylan Wier and Blaine Kenny: Shark Fishing, Entrepreneurship, and Content Creation
Steve sits down with Dylan Wier and Blaine Kenny of Coastal Worldwide to talk about what it really takes to build a fishing business and a media brand that lasts. They share how they met, how the company evolved from an earlier venture, and why they hire for character and attention to detail before fishing experience.The conversation dives into how they think about social media as a long game, why
#14: Erick Dent - Semi-Pro Fly Angler, Professional Photographer, Intentional Vagabond
In this episode of Pieces of Impact, I sit down with Erick Dent, a Charleston based photographer and fly fisherman whose life revolves around the outdoors.We talk about balancing photography with fly fishing, building a personal brand through consistent work, and the unique challenges of fishing and filming in Charleston. The conversation also dives into fly fishing itself, including mindset, ethi
#13: If You Only Do 3 Things for Your Health, Do These
Want to get your health and wellness in order without overcomplicating it? In this quick solo episode, Steve breaks it down into three simple pillars anyone can follow: diet, movement, and sleep.Diet: learn your intake by tracking caloriesMovement: hit 10,000 steps a day in easy chunksSleep: build toward 7.5 to 8.5 hours with simple habits like consistent bedtimes, morning sunlight, and a short wa
#12: Michael Hughes I Every Day is an Audition
In this episode of Pieces of Impact, I sit down with Michael Hughes, an accomplished business leader who has helped take two Silicon Valley companies public by growing revenue, building high performing teams, and leading with energy.Michael’s career spans Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, London, the Bay Area, and now Lake Tahoe, with leadership roles at companies like Barracuda Networks and ChargePoi
#11: Jake Reisig on Why Ownership Matters
In this episode of Pieces of Impact, Steve Seger sits down with entrepreneur Jake Reisig. Jake is a Partner at Bluegrass Wealth Ventures and co-owner of Jeannie’s Cleaning, with experience spanning investment sales, real estate operations, and business ownership. Previously, he advised property owners and investors at Capstone Companies. He’s also the founder of RateMyCollegeLandlord.com and studi
#10: Bret Halsey | Professional Soccer Player Turned Real Estate Investor
In this episode of Pieces of Impact, Steve Seger sits down with Bret Halsey, a former professional soccer player turned real estate investor, to discuss his transition from athletics to business. Bret reflects on competing at the highest level, including guarding Lionel Messi, navigating major health setbacks, and applying the same discipline and resilience to building a multifamily real estate po
#9: Tom Rowland on Fishing, Family, Fitness, and Entrepreneurship
In this episode of Pieces of Impact, I sit down with Tom Rowland for a wide ranging conversation about building a life with intention. Tom shares how his path took him from Tennessee to becoming a fishing guide in Key West, and eventually into television, podcasting, and media.We also dive into how media is changing. Tom shares his perspective on YouTube, streaming, sponsorships, and where fishing
#8: Mike Schroer: Lessons in Pivoting, Purpose, and Perseverance
Mike Schroer joins host Steve Seger on the Pieces of Impact podcast to share his journey from college football to medical device sales and the lessons learned along the way. They dive into career pivots, relationships, work-life balance, and the power of resilience. Mike opens up about finding purpose, leaning on family, and navigating transitions with intentionality and grit. 00:00 Introduction t
#7: My 5 Favorite Lifts, a Life Equation, Grip Strength’s Power, and Sauna Timing for Sleep
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, Steve Seger discusses four impactful topics: his top five strength exercises, a formula for a happy life, the importance of grip strength, and how sauna sessions can improve sleep. Each segment provides insights into fitness, wellness, and personal development, emphasizing the significance of consistency and enjoyment in achieving health goals. 00:0
#1: What is this?
In the inaugural episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, host Steve Seger shares his vision of exploring curiosity and wisdom through conversations with individuals who have valuable life experiences. He discusses the importance of education, the role of the subconscious mind, and the balance between independence and purpose in achieving a fulfilling life. Seger emphasizes the need for authentici
#2: Career Advice, Saban’s Process, Dinner Menu Wisdom & the Library of Alexandria
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, Steve Seger shares a variety of impactful ideas ranging from timeless career principles to life lessons gleaned from a dinner menu. He discusses the importance of creating value, the mindset of successful figures like Nick Saban, and the significance of the Library of Alexandria in preserving knowledge. Each segment offers insights that encourage li
#6: Why Walking Matters, The Truth About Diamonds, Living for Memories, and Six Pillars for Life
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, host Steve Seger explores four key topics: the underrated benefits of walking for health and longevity, the truth behind the DeBeer diamond monopoly, the significance of memories in our lives, and the impact of small daily choices as outlined in a Twitter thread by Kevin Dahlstrom.00:00Intro02:16Why Walking Is the Most Underrated Tool We Have08:16Th
#3: The Highest ROI: Invest in Yourself, Trust Your Gut, Learn from Brad Jacobs & Live Longer
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, Steve Seger discusses four key ideas centered around personal growth and health. He emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself, sharing a personal story about a stranger that taught him to trust his gut instinct, insights from a Twitter thread on entrepreneurship, and the impact of lifestyle changes on longevity. Each segment offers valuable
#5: Creativity on Command, AI’s Workweek Revolution, $100 Skin-in-the-Game, and YouTube’s Future
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, Steve explores four ideas that can genuinely help you get better: a surprising method to trigger creativity on command, the coming AI-driven shift in how many days we work, the power of a $100 accountability bet, and major insights from YouTube’s CEO on winning in the creator economy.00:00Intro00:58A Tip for Unlocking Creative Solutions03:49The Futu
#4: How to Read Character, Handle Hard Days, Fix Your Sleep, and Think Like High Performers
In this episode of the Pieces of Impact podcast, host Steve Seger discusses four key ideas: how adversity reveals character, the importance of showing up fully even on bad days, actionable sleep tips for better performance, and the significance of conviction over talent in achieving success. Each segment offers insights and practical advice aimed at personal development and resilience.00:00Intro01
Recommended
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Hard Knocks Podcast
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Infinite Health with Dr. Arasi Maran
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
English Vocabulary Help
The Joe Rogan Experience
