#31: Joe Simonds - Why Niches Still Win in the AI Age

#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. Subscribe for more solo episodes and long-form conversations on Pieces of Impact. 00:00 Introduction to the Solo Episode 01:54 Darth Bane and the Rule of Two 07:03 The World of Trained Protection Dogs 10:23 Exploring Redfish: A Deep Dive 15:13 The Federal Duck Stamp: Conservation in Action

#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 conversations like this on Pieces of Impact. Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@steveseger [https://substack.com/@steveseger] Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2 [https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35] Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger [http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger] Guest Links Bogey’s Barn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bogeys_barn/ [https://www.instagram.com/bogeys_barn/] Bogey’s Barn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bogeys.barn [https://www.tiktok.com/@bogeys.barn] Bogey’s Barn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568794403157# [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568794403157#] Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro and why I drove up to Bogey’s Barn 02:03 Carter joins the show inside the barn 02:39 Carter’s background, military path, and return to Ohio 03:36 Bogey, basset hounds, and the story behind the name 04:43 Buying the property and building the barn piece by piece 08:41 Finding the farmhouse and why people connect with the space 14:26 Posting every day and growing Bogey’s Barn authentically 22:08 Marathon prep, hybrid training, and removing excuses 32:00 Bogey’s role, diet, basset hounds, and life at the barn 41:55 Carter’s long-term vision, rapid fire, and final wisdom

#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 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/@steveseger [https://substack.com/@steveseger] Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR [https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b [https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b] Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger [http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger] Guest Links: Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22/] BP Money Podcast: https://youtube.com/@biggerpocketsmoney?si=P1_KewEzj67-oYuV [https://youtube.com/@biggerpocketsmoney?si=P1_KewEzj67-oYuV] CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Intro and why Scott’s work matters to Steve 03:33 Scott joins the show 04:00 Life after stepping down as CEO 05:28 Balance, obsession, and CEO stress 07:14 Finding BiggerPockets through financial independence 07:46 Mr. Money Mustache, house hacking, and early FI thinking 10:16 Building financial runway after college 11:39 Making yourself valuable as an early employee 14:10 Choosing equity and upside 16:34 What a company sale looks like from the inside 19:31 Learning from Josh Dorkin and a professional CEO 20:50 Set for Life and what still applies today 22:16 BiggerPockets Money and the next FI problems 25:45 Personal brand as a long-term asset 27:38 AI, original thought, and better financial planning 32:27 Why AI rewards people who understand the full problem 35:02 Wealth, kids, and not imposing your system 38:50 The financial independence car pick 39:05 Common early-career money mistake 39:21 Underrated career skills 39:37 Content formats he is bullish on 40:19 Book recommendations 40:59 House hack, index funds, or business equity 41:17 AI use cases he is excited about 42:08 A day with no responsibilities 42:33 Current workout split 42:56 Final wisdom: what strategy really means 44:02 Where to find Scott

#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 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/@steveseger [https://substack.com/@steveseger] Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@steve_seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR [https://youtube.com/@steve_seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b [https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b] Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger [http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger] Guest links: Website: SaltStrong.com [http://SaltStrong.com], Joe’s book link: https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Happiness-Ultimate-Achieving-Fulfillment/dp/0692733051 [https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Happiness-Ultimate-Achieving-Fulfillment/dp/0692733051] Salt Strong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Saltstrong [https://www.youtube.com/@Saltstrong] Salt Strong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltstrong/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaltstrong/] 00:00 Why I Wanted to Have Joe On 02:19 Leaving Financial Services for Something More Fulfilling 09:06 The First Sale That Made Salt Strong Possible 10:25 Seven Months Before Taking a Day Off 11:36 What Works and Doesn’t When Building With Family 14:45 Free Content, Memberships, and the First Signs of Momentum 18:31 Community First, App Second 24:10 Core Beliefs, No Cursing, and Protecting the Culture 25:54 Riches Are Made in Niches, Even in the AI Age 31:06 Selling Salt Strong Without Losing the Mission 37:59 The Funniest Part of Selling the Company 41:27 The Fishing Theme Park Vision 51:00 The Grandfather Story and Creating Memories That Matter 55:58 Final Wisdom: Write Down the Mission

#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 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 Intro 02:24 Carter Dorsch Joins the Show 02:54 Running 98 Real Estate Group 03:43 Florida’s Forgotten Coast 04:45 COVID and Coastal Demand 06:09 Hurricane Michael and Mexico Beach 08:30 Building Codes and Stronger Homes 12:15 Rebuilding After the Storm 14:36 Getting Started at 98 17:31 Early Pressure and Eating What You Kill 21:43 Buying Into the Business 23:34 Lessons From Ownership 25:03 Branding and Visibility 26:52 Newsletters and Referrals 28:40 AI in Real Estate 31:34 Smarter Direct Mail 34:51 Fastest-Growing Coastal Markets 37:27 Recruiting Agents and Protecting the Brand 40:59 Ed Ball, DuPont, and George Washington 43:25 The St. Joe Company 53:17 The Future of the Forgotten Coast 59:45 Carter’s Long-Term Vision 1:02:34 College Football 1:05:52 Rapid Fire 1:10:29 Handwritten Letters Still Work 1:14:08 Famous Clients 1:15:32 Don’t Half-Ass It 1:17:35 The Myrtle Beach Closing Story 1:19:53 Where to Find Carter