Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

In Episode 54 of the Forge Contractor Alliance podcast, Kenton and Josh tackle a difficult question for small contractors: what happens when you invest years into training someone, only for that employee to eventually leave and start their own company?

The conversation digs into employee retention, trust, training, and the real investment that goes into developing people in a small trade business. When you're a small contractor, you're not simply filling positions. You're often taking someone with little experience and teaching them the trade, your systems, your standards, and eventually the business itself.

But what happens when that person becomes one of your most valuable employees and decides they want to run their own show?

Kenton and Josh talk openly about their own history, including how Josh originally trained Kenton in roofing before Kenton eventually went out on his own. They discuss the difference between competition and collaboration, the challenge of knowing how much to invest in an employee, and why highly capable employees can sometimes be the very people most likely to want their own business.

They also explore how employers can better understand an employee's goals, why getting people involved in the business can increase retention, the risks that come with sharing too much, and why business owners can't build their entire company around one or two key employees.

Ultimately, people change. Goals change. Seasons of life change. And sometimes a great employee leaving isn't something a business owner can completely prevent. The question is how you build a company that can handle it.

Forge Contractor Alliance is a podcast for contractors and business owners working through the real challenges of building, leading, and growing a trade business.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

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This episode covers a little bit of everything.

Josh and Kenton talk about what it really looks like to build a business, lead a team, and figure things out along the way. They get into communication, the challenges that come with growth, and the things they both know they could probably do better.

They also have a pretty honest conversation about money. Saving receipts, overspending, budgeting, and the realization that sometimes you need someone else in the business to help keep the numbers on track. They talk about bringing in a CFO and how having better financial systems can change the way you make decisions and look at ROI.

The conversation takes an interesting turn when they start talking about mentorship, age, and experience. Getting older doesn't automatically make someone a good mentor. They talk about the importance of self awareness, learning from experience, and actually being willing to help the next generation.

Then things get a little more primal.

A story about a paintball game leads into a conversation about the survival instinct and why people sometimes perform differently when they're uncomfortable or under pressure. They connect that idea back to working in the trades and how having everything too comfortable can sometimes take away some of the drive that pushes people forward.

They also talk roofing, including a historic 1934 Anglican church they worked on using Enviroshake. That leads into a bigger conversation about craftsmanship, quality, volume, and the differences between how roofing is approached in Europe compared to North America.

Josh and Kenton also get into architecture and product selection, especially when expensive materials like metal roofing are chosen without thinking through the engineering, safety requirements, and overall cost that come with them.

On the business side, they talk about where they're taking FORGE next. Instead of jumping straight into pushing long form podcast episodes, they're looking at a softer approach built around real conversations, short form videos, and content that can naturally build an audience across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

There's also an update on the upcoming book, including the publishing process, advanced reader copies, endorsements, and recording the audiobook right in the podcast studio.

To wrap things up, they talk about the upcoming team retreat, the results from a recent home show, some frustration around follow up with potential customers, and a completely unexpected partnership opportunity that could lead to something much bigger.

It's a pretty honest episode about business, people, risk, growth, and figuring things out as you go.

Forge is where contractors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders come together to build stronger companies and become better leaders.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

What happens when you stop building a business just for yourself and start thinking about what you can build for the people around you?

In this episode, Chris and his partner sit down for a candid conversation about leadership, business, failure, and the evolution of what it means to build something that lasts.

They talk about the lessons learned through running Ridgeline, the importance of taking ownership when things go wrong, building the right team, and creating a culture where people can grow.

They also dive into Forge and the idea behind building a community that gives other business owners the support, experience, and opportunity to succeed. It’s a conversation about putting ego aside, learning from failure, and realizing that a successful business can be about a lot more than the bottom line.

Forge is where contractors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders come together to build stronger companies and become better leaders.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

roduced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

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The best systems aren't the ones that look complicated. They're the ones that make complicated work feel effortless.

In Episode 52, Josh and Kenton continue the conversation around building scalable businesses by exploring one idea that sits at the center of great leadership and operational excellence: simplicity.

Using examples from woodworking, contracting, and business operations, they discuss why the strongest companies aren't built on people constantly putting out fires. They're built on repeatable systems, focused work, and clear responsibilities.

Josh shares how Ridgeline is developing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to simplify roles as the company grows. Rather than expecting team members to wear multiple hats all day, the goal is to create focused blocks of work where each person can concentrate on one responsibility at a time. From sales appointments to scheduling, production planning, and customer communication, every task has a place within a structured weekly rhythm designed to eliminate unnecessary distractions.

The conversation dives into the hidden cost of multitasking and constant interruptions. While some people can operate in chaos, both Josh and Kenton argue that most people perform at their highest level when they're able to protect their focus. They discuss why building simple systems isn't about making work easier, it's about making excellence repeatable. Whether it's planning production schedules a week in advance, reducing operational gaps, or creating better communication between departments, simplicity becomes the foundation for consistency.

They also tackle one of the more difficult leadership challenges: balancing work and family. As businesses grow and responsibilities increase, leaders have to find healthy boundaries that allow employees to prioritize both their careers and their families without sacrificing productivity. The discussion emphasizes creating company rhythms that support healthy home lives while still protecting the focused work that allows the business to thrive.

Episode 52 is a practical conversation for contractors, business owners, and leaders who want to build organizations that scale without becoming chaotic. Great businesses aren't built by adding complexity. They're built by simplifying it.

Forge is where contractors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders come together to build stronger companies and become better leaders.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

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Every business owner dreams about growth, but growth has a way of exposing the weaknesses you didn't know were there. In Episode 51, Josh and Kenton discuss what it really means to build a company that can scale, inspired by Jim Collins' Good to Great and the lessons that have become especially relevant as Ridgeline Roofing and Gott Energy work through their merger.

The conversation centers around one of the book's most important principles: first who, then what. Before strategy, before vision, before expansion, the right people have to be in the right seats. Josh reflects on how rereading Good to Great years later has completely changed his perspective on leadership, accountability, and what it takes to become a Level 5 leader.

From there, they dive into the realities of leading a merger between two growing companies. While the opportunities are exciting, so are the challenges. Legal structures, shareholder decisions, operational systems, branding, and maintaining cash flow all compete for attention at the same time. Josh shares how difficult it can be balancing long-term vision with the day-to-day responsibility of keeping production moving during the busiest season of the year.

The episode also explores how AI is helping streamline operations by creating meaningful KPIs, improving scheduling efficiency, and building standard operating procedures that give teams more ownership while allowing leadership to focus on growth. Rather than simply filling a calendar, Josh explains why strategically scheduling crews, resources, and projects creates healthier businesses and stronger results.

Kenton brings the conversation back to leadership and culture, reminding listeners that as companies grow, communication between the office and the field becomes increasingly important. Larger organizations naturally gain efficiencies, but without intentional leadership they can also lose the connection that made them successful in the first place.

Whether you're running a contracting business, leading a growing team, or simply trying to become a better leader, Episode 51 is a practical discussion on scaling the right way by building strong people, simple systems, and a culture that can grow for years to come.

Forge is where contractors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders come together to build stronger companies and become better leaders.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

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Instead of teaching a framework or breaking down a business principle, we're inviting you into a real conversation that was happening behind the scenes. As Ridgeline Roofing & Solar and Gott Energy explore what a future together could look like, Josh and Joel sit down to work through the questions every growing company eventually faces.

How do you scale without losing focus? When does a great opportunity become a distraction? How do you structure leadership so people spend their time in their unique abilities instead of getting buried in day-to-day operations?

Throughout this episode, we unpack topics like mergers and acquisitions, executive team structure, delegation, recruiting top talent, organizational design, residential versus commercial markets, First Nations opportunities, and the importance of building systems that can truly scale. This isn't a polished success story. It's a transparent look at the messy, strategic conversations that happen before big decisions are made.

If you're building a company, leading a growing team, or wrestling with competing opportunities, this episode will give you an honest look at how experienced business leaders think through complexity before committing to a path forward.

Residential, commercial and industrial growth • Building companies that last Forge is where contractors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders come together to build stronger companies and become better leaders.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

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Hiring can grow your company, but hiring the wrong people can quietly destroy the culture you've worked so hard to build. Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh, Kenton, and the team share honest stories from years of building companies, making hiring mistakes, and learning what truly matters when bringing people into your organization.

From the dangers of hiring out of desperation to the importance of values, culture, working interviews, probation periods, and even knowing when it's time for someone to move on, this conversation dives deep into the realities every contractor faces. The crew discusses why urgent hiring almost always leads to long-term pain and why culture matters more than skill alone.

They share how a single bad hire can impact an entire team, the importance of clear job descriptions and expectations, and why working interviews and probation periods can help both employers and employees determine whether the fit is right. The conversation also explores the reality that some employees are meant for a season, and why handling those transitions well benefits everyone involved.

Throughout the episode, the team reflects on the balance between investing in people and maintaining healthy boundaries, building a company that people genuinely want to be part of, and the lessons learned from decades of mistakes, successes, and difficult conversations. Whether you're hiring your first employee or leading a growing team, this episode offers practical wisdom and candid experiences to help you build a stronger business and a healthier culture.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

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Hiring is one of the hardest and most important responsibilities a business owner faces. In this episode of Forge, Josh, Joel, and the team dive into the realities of recruiting, hiring, and developing great people.

They discuss why experienced hires don't always work out, the value of hiring for character and culture over technical skill, and how building a strong team often starts with finding people who share your values.

The conversation explores everything from referrals and networking to AI-powered hiring tools, diversity in the workplace, and the challenges of scaling a company into new markets. Most importantly, they discuss why successful businesses are built on more than profit, they're built on people, community, and creating opportunities for others.

Whether you're hiring your first employee or building a team of fifty, this episode offers practical insights into finding the right people and creating a culture where they can thrive.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

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Hiring is one of the hardest parts of building a business, especially in the trades. In this episode of Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, the crew sits down for a real conversation around hiring, leadership, work ethic, and what it actually takes to build strong teams in small business contracting.

Kenton, Josh and Joel, on the Forge Alliance team dive into their personal experiences hiring in roofing, solar, and construction businesses under the $10M mark, where owners are often still directly involved in every interview, every hire, and every difficult people decision.

The conversation explores everything from identifying teachable employees, building company culture, handling seasonal workers, and why mindset matters more than resumes. They also unpack the tension many contractors feel with younger generations entering the workforce, while challenging the common narrative that “young people just don’t want to work.”

Instead, the episode focuses on leadership responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity business owners have to shape young workers into future leaders through accountability, teamwork, and hard work.

This episode is packed with honest stories from the jobsite, lessons learned through years of hiring mistakes and successes, and practical insight for contractors trying to build teams that actually last. If you’re a contractor, business owner, foreman, or someone responsible for building culture inside a growing company, this conversation will hit home.

This is a real conversation for contractors, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, and business owners who want to build better companies, stronger teams, and healthier cultures over the long term.

No corporate scripts, no surface level business talk, just practical lessons, honest experiences, and perspectives forged through years of building businesses and leading people.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

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Hiring people is easy. Hiring the right people is one of the hardest things a business owner will ever learn how to do.

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, the conversation goes deep into the realities of hiring, leadership, company culture, and the long term impact people have on a business.

The crew unpacks the difference between simply filling a role versus intentionally building a team, and why understanding yourself as a leader is often more important than understanding the resume sitting across the table.

The discussion explores how hiring changes as a company grows, from the early days of building a small tight knit crew, to scaling teams and attracting people who can complement weaknesses, strengthen culture, and help move a company forward long term. They talk openly about the lessons learned through failed hires, losing valuable employees, building trust, and the importance of aligning people with core values rather than just technical skill alone.

A major focus throughout the episode is the idea that businesses are built around people, not just systems. Whether it’s hiring apprentices, office staff, experienced tradespeople, or future leaders, the conversation highlights how personality, teachability, humility, work ethic, and culture fit often matter more than what’s written on paper. The crew also dives into how company reputation, social media presence, networking, and internal referrals all play a massive role in attracting quality people in today’s market.

There’s also an honest discussion around leadership growth itself. The episode touches on the reality that employees do not always stay forever, and how business owners need to learn to lead with an open hand while still creating environments people genuinely want to be part of. From mentorship and growth opportunities to creating clear expectations and defining company values, the conversation offers a grounded look into what building a strong team actually looks like behind the scenes.

This is a real conversation for contractors, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, and business owners who want to build better companies, stronger teams, and healthier cultures over the long term. No corporate scripts, no surface level business talk, just practical lessons, honest experiences, and perspectives forged through years of building businesses and leading people.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca@Forge_CA

What happens when entrepreneurs stop fearing AI and start learning how to use it properly?

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Josh sits down with Tim Joyce of Nooma Logic to talk about the real world impact of AI and automation in business, especially for contractors, entrepreneurs, and growing teams.

From streamlining repetitive admin work to improving customer communication and giving business owners their time back, this conversation dives into the opportunities, risks, and realities of adopting AI in today’s world.

The discussion covers everything from automation workflows and CRM integration to security concerns, team onboarding, productivity, and why many businesses are already falling behind by ignoring these tools. Tim also shares insight from working with companies across industries, including large organizations and First Nations development groups, while Josh opens up about Ridgeline’s own journey implementing automation into day to day operations.

This episode is not about replacing people. It’s about empowering teams, reducing friction, creating better systems, and allowing people to focus on the work they are actually good at.

If you’re a contractor, entrepreneur, manager, or business owner curious about AI but unsure where to start, this is a grounded and practical conversation worth listening to.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca@Forge_CA

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Josh sits down with Kalen Blake, the creative behind Ridgeline’s media and a key driver of the company’s growth over the past year. Kalen shares his path from working multiple jobs at a young age, to building and scaling an e-commerce business, to running a brick-and-mortar operation that generated millions in revenue before the age of 21.

From importing products across international markets to navigating the realities of ownership, this conversation breaks down what it actually takes to build something from nothing. At its core, this episode focuses on finding where you operate best and how that decision shapes everything.

Josh and Kalen dig into the transition from entrepreneurship to stepping into a defined role within a team, and how clarity, structure, and the right environment can unlock a higher level of performance, creativity, and long-term growth without burnout.

A major theme throughout is the role of social media in modern business. Not the polished, corporate version, but real, consistent, and human content that builds trust, drives leads, and connects you directly to your community. Kalen shares why business owners need to stop overthinking content and start showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable.

This is a conversation about alignment, growth, and building something meaningful, whether you are leading from the front or creating behind the scenes. If you are a contractor, business owner, or someone trying to figure out your next move, this one will resonate.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

\X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Kenton Friesen of Friesen Contracting and Josh Eisworth of Ridgeline Roofing and Solar sit down to unpack something every trades business struggles with but few truly dial in, training and recruiting. This is not a surface level conversation.

It is a real and honest look at what it actually takes to build a team from the ground up, especially in an industry where formal training systems are almost nonexistent and most people are expected to figure it out on the job.

They dig into the tension between productivity and development, the constant pull between getting the job done today and investing in someone who might make you ten times more efficient tomorrow.

Josh shares recent experiences intentionally pulling new hires out of the normal crew environment to train them one on one, allowing them to fail, slow things down, and actually learn the trade. It is inefficient in the short term. Jobs take longer, mistakes cost money, and production dips. But the payoff is clear. Guys become capable, confident, and productive far faster than the traditional shadow and carry material approach.

Kenton brings decades of experience into the conversation and reflects on what it means to train not just workers, but men. This goes beyond skill and into character, work ethic, and professionalism. Together, they explore why hiring experienced tradesmen often does not work the way you would expect, and why so many of the best long term team members are built from scratch. Culture, mindset, and attitude consistently outweigh experience, especially in a trade like roofing where standards vary widely from company to company.

The conversation also moves into recruiting, because you cannot talk about training without talking about who you are bringing in. From the unpredictability of hiring to improving vetting systems and rethinking where to find the right people, they break down what it means to increase your odds in an industry known for high turnover.

There is no perfect formula, and both Kenton and Josh admit they have been wrong many times when judging who would succeed and who would not. At its core, this episode is about playing the long game. It is about understanding that the fastest way to build a strong and reliable team often looks slower on the surface. It is about being willing to sacrifice short term output to multiply long term capacity.

And it is about recognizing that the real win in this business is not just the roofs you install, but the people you build along the way. If you are a contractor trying to grow, dealing with turnover, or looking to build a stronger and more capable crew, this conversation will challenge how you think about training, recruiting, and leadership.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

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Welcome back to the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast. Josh Eisworth from Ridgeline Roofing and Kenton from Kenton Friesen Contracting. Two contractors in the trenches every day, on the tools, in the books, working with crews, customers, and everything that comes with running a business. This podcast is just an extension of that, real conversations about what we’re actually dealing with.

In this episode, we get into communication, what it looks like inside a growing company, where it starts to break down, and how different teams handle it in completely different ways. From switching platforms and trying to integrate crews, to realizing not everyone communicates the same or even wants to, there’s a lot here that we’re actively working through.

We talk about repetition as a leader, setting clear expectations, and the balance between over communicating and not saying enough. There is also a big focus on conflict, when to avoid it, when to lean into it, and how to handle it without letting emotion take over. Because the reality is, most issues in business do not come from bad intent, they come from miscommunication.

We also touch on team dynamics, public versus private communication, and how the wrong message in the wrong setting can create bigger problems than it should. Plus a bit of real life context, spring in Northern BC, unpredictable weather, and how that chaos mirrors running a business this time of year. Like always, this is not theory. It is what we are dealing with right now, figuring it out as we go.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this episode of Forge, Kenton sits down with Chris Wiebe to unpack a side of business most contractors avoid the numbers.

From hard lessons in financial blind spots to the reality of growing too fast without control, this conversation digs into what actually drives a healthy company.

They break down the difference between revenue and real profit, why operational strength matters more than hustle, and how small mistakes in pricing or planning can quietly sink a business.

Chris brings a systems driven perspective from years of scaling companies, while Kenton shares real stories from the field including moments where the numbers did not lie, even when it hurt.

This episode is about more than spreadsheets. It is about thinking clearly, making better decisions, and building something that actually lasts. If you are running a business, planning to grow, or just trying to figure out where your money is really going this one matters.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, Kenton sits down with Joel for a real and practical conversation about people pleasing. What it is, where it comes from, and how it slowly starts running your life if you’re not careful.

What starts as a strength, being perceptive, caring about people, wanting to do a great job, can quietly turn into a burden. The hard truth is that a lot of us aren’t reacting to reality.

We’re reacting to what we think people might be thinking about us. And those imagined expectations begin to shape everything. Your schedule, your pricing, your stress, even how you show up at home.

One of the biggest shifts talked about in this episode is realizing how much pressure is self-created. Not by customers, not by employees, but by the words we say and the commitments we make too quickly. When you slow down, ask better questions, and stop boxing yourself in, things start to change.

There’s more margin, more clarity, and honestly just more peace. But this goes deeper than business. This is internal work. There’s a discipline required to stop letting your mind run wild with scenarios that aren’t even real. To catch yourself before you spiral. To accept that not everyone is going to think well of you, and that’s okay. That might be the hardest part for a lot of people listening. The conversation also gets really practical.

Talking through quoting jobs, setting timelines, dealing with demanding customers, and learning to pause before you commit. Simple shifts, but they carry a lot of weight. A big takeaway from this one is how much your words matter. What you say sets expectations. And a lot of the stress we carry is tied directly to things we didn’t have to promise in the first place. At the end of the day, this isn’t about becoming someone who doesn’t care. It’s about caring in a healthier way.

Serving people well without being controlled by them. It’s not an overnight fix. But it is a direction. If you’ve ever felt that constant pressure to keep everyone happy, this conversation will feel familiar. And it might just help you start putting some of that weight down.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this episode, Josh and Kenton sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about something a lot of contractors think they understand, but most have never actually worked through what makes a business truly saleable.

Speaking from their experience in Prince George, they unpack the gap between what owners believe they’ve built and what someone would actually pay for. The conversation quickly gets honest. Most small businesses are not really businesses, they are jobs built around one person. The relationships, the reputation, the decision making all sit with the owner.

When that person steps away, there is often very little left. It is a tough realization, but one that almost every trades business owner will face at some point. They dig into the difference between building something around yourself versus building something that can stand on its own.

A lot of companies have strong revenue and years of history, but without systems, structure, and a team that can operate without the owner, that value does not transfer. Buyers are not just looking at numbers, they are asking what happens when you are gone.

Throughout the episode, they share real stories from their own market. Companies that shut down after decades. Others that were handed off and quickly fell apart. And a few that made it work through intentional succession, strong teams, and the right people stepping in. The common thread is simple. If you are not planning for an exit, you are likely planning to close, whether you realize it or not. They also touch on the bigger picture.

There are more business owners than ever approaching retirement, and at the same time the world feels uncertain. Markets are shifting, economies are unpredictable, and there are more sellers than buyers in many industries. It raises an important question. If you wanted to sell tomorrow, would your business actually be ready.

This episode is not about theory. It is about reality and hard conversations. Whether you plan to sell, pass it on, or just run your company for as long as you can, this is a look at what you are really building and what will be left when you step away.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this episode of Forge, Josh and Kenton explore what it really looks like to build a business around the work you actually love. As the demands of leadership grow, so does the pressure to fit into a predefined version of what a CEO “should” be. But the reality is far less rigid.

For many builders and entrepreneurs, the path forward isn’t about stepping away from the work that brings energy and clarity, it’s about learning how to structure your time so you can stay in it.

The conversation unpacks the tension between productivity and burnout, and how easily leaders can find themselves stuck in roles that drain them rather than drive them.

Josh shares his evolving approach to designing a weekly rhythm that allows him to stay on the tools, lead his team, and still carve out space for high-level thinking.

Throughout the episode, they dig into the importance of understanding your own wiring as a leader. From how you process ideas, to where you find clarity, to what actually makes you effective day to day, the conversation highlights how self-awareness plays a critical role in long-term success.

They also reflect on how forcing yourself into roles that don’t fit can create unnecessary stress, while leaning into your strengths can dramatically increase both output and satisfaction.

At its core, this episode is about rejecting one-size-fits-all leadership advice and instead building a rhythm that aligns with your strengths, your season, and your responsibilities. It’s a conversation about freedom, ownership, and the ongoing process of figuring out what actually works.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this follow-up episode of Forge, Josh and Kenton continue the conversation about failure, resilience, and the long road of learning that comes with building a business.

After reflecting on the collapse of Kenton’s early real estate momentum in the previous episode, the discussion turns toward what came after.

The years that followed were not defined by a single event, but by the slower and often more difficult process of rebuilding confidence, culture, and leadership from the inside out.

Kenton shares how the internal impact of that season lingered longer than the external circumstances. Even as the company continued to operate and grow from the outside, the weight of that earlier failure shaped the way he made decisions, interacted with his team, and carried the responsibility of leadership.

Josh and Kenton explore how pride, fear, and lost confidence can quietly isolate leaders at the very moment when they need their people the most. They discuss the surprising reality that many team members are often willing to rally around a struggling leader, but only if they’re allowed into the process.

The conversation also turns toward the nature of risk. Entrepreneurs often celebrate bold moves and big swings, but fewer people talk openly about the emotional resilience required when those swings miss. Kenton reflects on how early success created a sense of certainty that later setbacks challenged, forcing him to develop a deeper understanding of resilience and self-awareness.

Throughout the episode, the discussion moves beyond business tactics and into the mindset required to continue moving forward. Josh and Kenton talk about the difference between regret and bitterness, why honest post-mortems matter, and how leaders can learn to separate criticism of their role from criticism of their identity.

They also reflect on the importance of creating environments where others can take risks without fear of catastrophic failure, whether in business, leadership, or even parenting.

This episode is ultimately about growth through adversity, and the quiet maturity that develops when leaders learn to analyze failure without being defined by it.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

@Forge_CA

In this episode of Forge, Josh and Kenton dive into a deeply personal story from Kenton’s early years in business.  In his twenties, Kenton was heavily involved in real estate investing, building momentum with multiple properties, partnerships, and ambitious development projects. 

It was a time marked by optimism, energy, and the feeling that anything was possible.  Deals were working, banks were lending, and every step forward seemed to open another opportunity.

But life has a way of testing even the most confident seasons.

Within a short period of time, several major events collided.  A large development project in northern Alberta fell apart at the last moment. Seven rental units over half of his portfolio, suddenly became vacant at the same time. 

At home, Kenton and his wife were navigating the emotional weight of losing two grandparents within weeks of each other while also expecting their first child. What had once felt like unstoppable momentum quickly turned into overwhelming pressure.

Faced with that perfect storm, panic set in. Instead of leaning on his partners and the relationships he had built, Kenton made decisions in isolation, fire-selling properties and stepping away from opportunities that, in hindsight, could have changed the trajectory of his life. 

The lesson wasn’t just about business strategy. It was about pride, communication, and the weight leaders sometimes place on their own shoulders.

Throughout the conversation, Josh and Kenton reflect on the tension many entrepreneurs experience: the instinct to shoulder responsibility alone versus the humility required to ask for help. They explore how assumptions about what others are willing or able to do can quietly shape the decisions we make in moments of stress.

They also discuss how failure affects different personalities.  For someone used to succeeding, a major setback can cut deeper and take longer to recover from. The optimism and confidence that fuel early success can also make failure feel like a defining moment rather than simply part of the journey.

This episode is not about dwelling on the past, but about understanding how pivotal moments shape the way we lead, take risks, and build trust moving forward. It’s a conversation about leadership under pressure, the importance of honest dialogue with partners, and the long process of rebuilding confidence after a major setback.

Original theme music composed and performed by: Ben Smith

Produced by: Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by: Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca

In this long-distance episode of the Forge Podcast, Josh and Chris sit down nearly 800 kilometers apart and do what they’ve done for almost two decades challenge each other. What starts as a simple catch-up turns into a raw reflection on friendship, ego, business, faith, and the question that keeps surfacing in both of their lives why do we really do this?

They rewind to the beginning dating roommates, early impressions, quiet competition, and the arrogance that often hides inside young entrepreneurs trying to prove themselves. Roofing didn’t sound like much of a career. Egos were big. Perspectives were narrow. But time, hardship, and business have a way of refining people.

What grew out of that rough start became a deep friendship built mostly in the trenches of entrepreneurship long conversations about risk, leadership, family, pressure, and the weight of responsibility. A defining chapter in their story was the Pay It Forward build, a dream to rally contractors together to build a home for a family in need. No TV cameras. No spotlight.

Just tradespeople proving they are more than a stereotype. The project took years. It tested patience, partnerships, and perseverance. It nearly fell apart more than once. But it also revealed something powerful when purpose is clear, people show up.

From there, the conversation shifts into something deeper how do you take your personal why and translate it into an entire organization? How do you build a company that is not just chasing revenue but forming people?

They reflect on ideas from Good to Great by Jim Collins, leadership principles popularized by Simon Sinek, and even the scale of purpose driven vision seen in entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, but bring it back down to the trades, to real crews, real payroll, and real pressure. They wrestle with uncomfortable questions. Is money enough?

Why does entrepreneurship feel so lonely? Why do some teams buy into vision and others just clock in? Are we building companies or are our companies building us? This is not a polished leadership talk. It is two friends shaped by twenty years of shared experience admitting they are still figuring it out.

Still evolving. Still asking why they get out of bed every morning. If you are in the trades, leading a team, building something from nothing, or quietly questioning whether the grind is worth it, this episode will feel personal.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca @Forge_CA

This episode is raw and real. We unpack what it is like to sit at the table with another fast growing company and seriously explore a full fledged joint venture in a brand new market. Valuations. Ownership splits. Hard conversations. Big vision. Even bigger responsibility.

We just walked out of a meeting that felt like a dream come true. But here is what stood out. There was no greed in the room. Instead of asking how do I win, the question was how do we all win. We talk about why collaboration over competition is the future, and what it actually takes to blend two companies, two trades, and two cultures into something unified.

Roofing and solar under one vision. Shared systems. Shared leadership. Shared risk. Building something that goes beyond profit and creates real impact in the communities we serve. We break down the balancing act of scaling without losing focus on your core business. The operational realities of training roofing and solar teams to create real efficiency.

The importance of alignment in values and why that matters more than the opportunity itself. And the nerves that come with jumping off the diving board before you know how deep the water is. We also dive into leadership growth, travel, and personal development. Why expanding your comfort zone, even socially, sharpens you as a business owner.

From lessons learned at the International Roofing Expo to conversations around solar innovation, roofing systems, and the future of integrated trades, this episode captures a pivotal moment in real time. This is not just about merging businesses. It is about merging vision.

We are stepping into a season where collaboration becomes the norm, not the exception, and we are bringing you along for the ride. If you are building, scaling, or considering partnership at any level, this one is for you.

Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith

Produced by Seth Steward Productions

Co produced by Kalen Wookey

Website https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X https://x.com/forge_ca @Forge_CA

Sometimes the biggest chapters in your life start in the most ordinary places.

This episode goes all the way back to a random moment in a Walmart parking lot, when Josh was still in high school, pushing carts, with no real plan for what came next.

That one conversation turned into a job, then long days on rooftops, brutal winter projects, and years of learning what hard work actually looks like.

Josh and Kenton reflect on those early seasons, hiring green kids, surviving sketchy roofs, freezing out-of-town jobs, and the kind of shared suffering that quietly builds brotherhood. They talk honestly about leadership, motivation, grit, and why mindset matters more than talent.

It’s a real conversation about:

- Growing up through hard work.

- Learning resilience the painful way.

- Building teams that actually care about each other.

- Why money isn’t the main motivator.

- How momentum is created and destroyed.

- And what it means to walk through hard things together.

This one isn’t polished or scripted. It’s raw stories, lessons learned the hard way, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful growth happens when you show up, embrace the suck, and refuse to quit.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of Forge, we dive into the unseen weight of leadership: decision fatigue, opportunity overload, and the pressure of making calls that affect employees, families, customers, and entire companies. Joel and Josh unpack what it really feels like to be in a season of expansion joint ventures, partnerships, new markets all while trying to stay anchored to who you are and why your business exists.

They talk openly about the fear of getting it wrong, the temptation to chase every opportunity, and how saying “yes” too often can quietly pull you away from your purpose.If you’ve ever felt the urge to swerve when business gets tough, this conversation is for you. Learn how to hold the wheel steady, lead with intention, and grow with purpose. Through community and mentorship, FCA shares real stories and hard-won wisdom from the field, no gurus, no fluff, just practical guidance.

Grounded in trench-level experience, FCA is more than a program, it’s a movement to help contractors build sustainable businesses, strong cultures, and legacies that last. You’ll hear practical frameworks for navigating uncertainty in this episode, including:

- Why growth always puts you in unfamiliar territory.

- The danger of letting dollar signs dictate direction.

- How “decision fatigue” creeps in and what to do about it.

- The Hedgehog Concept (from Good to Great) and why clarity beats opportunity. - Learning to say no even to great opportunities.

- Creating organizational clarity so your team can make decisions without you. - Why fear is the worst motivator for leaders.

- The difference between distraction and evolution.

- How speed of execution often matters more than perfect information.

- And why purpose has to come before profit if you want something sustainable.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Winter is usually the slow season in roofing. Fewer crews, quieter phones, time to breathe and reflect. But this January feels different.

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like when years of groundwork finally start to show up in real ways producing revenue in what’s historically been our slowest month, watching a second market gain traction, and realizing that growth often arrives quietly before it feels obvious.

We unpack the realities of expanding into a new market: how it truly feels like starting a business from scratch, the trust gap you have to earn, and why the first few locations are often the hardest. We reflect on lessons learned from the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas, from new technologies and CRM systems to leadership-focused seminars that had nothing to do with shingles and everything to do with people.

The conversation moves deep into personal development: books that have shaped our leadership, why reading without applying is a trap, and how true growth requires sacrifice, focus, and humility. We talk about organizational clarity, values that actually get lived out, and the challenge of communicating vision all the way down the ladder.

We also zoom out beyond business into marriage, family, and relationships. How personal growth can be jarring for the people closest to you. Why trust, sacrifice, and intentional investment matter at home just as much as they do at work. And why leadership that only focuses inward eventually collapses.

At the core of this episode is a simple but demanding idea: real success isn’t built by chasing more it’s built by growing deeper. As leaders, as partners, and as people.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

What’s the real difference between generosity and waste and why does it matter in leadership, trades, and everyday work?

In this episode of the Forge Podcast, the guys dig into a tension most leaders feel but rarely name: how generosity, efficiency, waste, stewardship, and gratitude all collide in real-world operations.

From roofing crews and tools, to company culture, entitlement, and maturity, this conversation gets honest about what actually happens when resources aren’t clearly valued or when generosity is misunderstood.

With stories from the trades, lessons learned the hard way, and reflections on maturity, entitlement, and stewardship, this episode challenges both leaders and workers to think deeper about how they treat resources and each other. If you care about leadership, building strong teams, and creating a culture that values both generosity and responsibility, this conversation is for you.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode, the Forge team welcomes Chris into the conversation for the first time. Chris steps in by sharing an unfinished, vulnerable moment from his leadership journey, reflecting on one of the most difficult decisions he’s faced: stepping away from a business partnership.

Chris opens up about how, overtime, he became convinced that staying would limit not only his own growth, but the growth of his partners as well. What he intended as an invitation to discern the future together was communicated poorly and received as a declaration that he was leaving. That gap exposed immaturity in his communication and leadership, creating confusion and emotional strain for everyone involved. Rather than rushing the decision, the partners took time to process it together.

Each ultimately received their own confirmation that the separation was both right and timely. For Chris, one of the clearest indicators that the decision was rooted in faith rather than ego was the unity he experienced at home. His wife was fully on board, bringing peace to what could have been a deeply divisive season.

The conversation expands into the unique weight of leadership transitions when you’re not just changing jobs, but stepping away from something you helped build. Partnerships carry shared history, equity, identity, and responsibility. Even when growth is the goal, letting go can feel like tearing something apart without certainty of how it will land. The Forge group reflects on how real growth often requires disruption.

Entrepreneurs tend to grow through pressure, and while Chris can now see things he would handle differently, he trusted that the challenge itself would force growth for everyone involved. Central to that trust was his decision to fully release control, removing his influence so others could step into leadership without his shadow.

The Forge Team acknowledges how nearly impossible it is to communicate a partnership separation without triggering emotion. From both sides of similar experiences, the hosts note how easily insecurity, self-doubt, and fear can overpower even the most thoughtful intentions.

The episode closes not with bitterness, but gratitude. Despite imperfect communication and real tension, Chris expresses thankfulness for where relationships stand today, recognizing that clarity, healing, and growth often only come after the hardest decisions are made.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode, the Forge team welcomes Chris into the conversation for the first time. Chris steps in by sharing an unfinished, vulnerable moment from his leadership journey, reflecting on one of the most difficult decisions he’s faced: stepping away from a business partnership.

Chris opens up about how, over time, he became convinced that staying would limit not only his own growth, but the growth of his partners as well. What he intended as an invitation to discern the future together was communicated poorly and received as a declaration that he was leaving.

That gap exposed immaturity in his communication and leadership, creating confusion and emotional strain for everyone involved. Rather than rushing the decision, the partners took time to process it together. Each ultimately received their own confirmation that the separation was both right and timely. For Chris, one of the clearest indicators that the decision was rooted in faith rather than ego was the unity he experienced at home.

His wife was fully on board, bringing peace to what could have been a deeply divisive season. The conversation expands into the unique weight of leadership transitions when you’re not just changing jobs, but stepping away from something you helped build. Partnerships carry shared history, equity, identity, and responsibility.

Even when growth is the goal, letting go can feel like tearing something apart without certainty of how it will land. The group reflects on how real growth often requires disruption. Entrepreneurs tend to grow through pressure, and while Chris can now see things he would handle differently, he trusted that the challenge itself would force growth for everyone involved.

Central to that trust was his decision to fully release control, removing his influence so others could step into leadership without his shadow. They also acknowledge how nearly impossible it is to communicate a partnership separation without triggering emotion. From both sides of similar experiences, the hosts note how easily insecurity, self-doubt, and fear can overpower even the most thoughtful intentions.

The episode closes not with bitterness, but gratitude. Despite imperfect communication and real tension, Chris expresses thankfulness for where relationships stand today, recognizing that clarity, healing, and growth often only come after the hardest decisions are made.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns into a direct and honest debrief of the Ridgeline Roofing and Solar AGM, and why it marked a real turning point for the company. Coming right off the pruning discussion, Josh and Kenton walk through what made this AGM different. Not just inspiring, but actually useful.

After years of learning the hard way, they reflect on the discipline of building a real agenda, facilitating for outcomes, and setting clear expectations.

The result was a meeting that created alignment, momentum, and ownership instead of fatigue. A major part of the conversation centers on the value of outside perspective. Bringing in an external chair through Forge removed internal politics, kept the meeting focused, and allowed hard questions to be asked and answered.

Josh and Kenton explore why this kind of structure matters, and why AGM facilitation may be one of the most practical services Forge can offer contractors. The episode digs into what separates a good meeting from a productive one: action, accountability, and follow-through.

They share the concrete outcomes that came out of the AGM, from early budgeting work and procedures to clearly defined ownership and stewardship agreements. No one was dragged into responsibility. People stepped into it. They also talk candidly about where the meeting exposed gaps.

When tough questions were asked, the lack of clear metrics and ownership became obvious. Marketing spend without clear ROI, shared responsibilities without clear owners, and the need for better tracking and better information in the room. That naturally leads into a deeper discussion on North Star metrics. Josh and Kenton unpack why revenue alone isn’t enough, why volume can hide unhealthy businesses, and why they’re leaning toward value per square as a clearer signal of financial health.

They wrestle with how to honor cultural wins without masking financial reality, landing on a practical balance between financial clarity and cultural celebration. A clear theme emerges for 2026: stewardship. Stewarding finances, operations, assets, and people with intention. One story in particular highlights what stewardship looks like in practice, resisting the urge to force solutions and instead allowing ownership, learning, and leadership to develop.

The episode closes by returning to Ridgeline’s core identity: brotherhood. Building young men, work ethic, and fortitude through the trades. Josh and Kenton reflect on the tension between investing in people and maintaining financial health, and why both are required to build something that lasts. This is a grounded, practical conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it really looks like to run a healthy company.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation becomes a year-end reflection centered on one defining idea: real growth comes from pruning, not piling on. What begins as a thought about revisiting the AGM quickly shifts into a deeper discussion about 2025 as a season of cutting back so the right things can grow.

Josh and Kenton talk candidly about what pruning has looked like at Ridgeline. Saying no to work that isn’t healthy, even when it’s emotionally difficult. Letting people go, hiring slower, and choosing values, mindset, and culture fit over raw talent. Moving away from transactional approaches to labor and toward a team built on trust, buy-in, and shared standards.

The conversation expands to the future of the trades and why craftsmanship and human skill aren’t disappearing anytime soon. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, Josh and Kenton argue that real-world problem solving and hands-on experience will only become more valuable. A central theme throughout the episode is brotherhood and accountability through Forge.

They reflect on why the group exists, the importance of having peers who can speak honestly without being entangled in day-to-day operations, and why keeping the podcast free from financial pressure helps preserve integrity and intention.

The episode closes with optimism for 2026, gratitude for the listeners, and thanks to Seth Steward Productions and Kalen Wookey for their continued support behind the scenes. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who would appreciate it and help grow the Forge community.

Original theme music composed and performed by: Ben Smith

Produced by: Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by: Kalen Wookey Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns toward success, trust, and the deeper motivations that shape how leaders show up at work and in life. Josh and Kenton reflect on what it actually means to build something meaningful, not just profitable, and how trust inside a team can either fuel momentum or quietly erode it.

They explore how trust inside a team can either accelerate growth or quietly drain energy, and why shared vision is one of the most powerful forces in any organization. Josh reflects on a recent staff Christmas party and the reality of turnover, growth, and leadership responsibility over the past year, while Kenton speaks to the importance of teamwork and mutual buy-in at every level of a business.

The conversation also looks back on the journey of the podcast itself. Josh and Kenton share why Forge exists, the kind of conversations they hope to create, and how listener feedback has shaped the show into something both thought-provoking and enjoyable. They discuss the value of content that is life-giving, honest, and rooted in real experience rather than surface-level advice. Faith naturally weaves its way into the discussion.

While Forge isn’t positioned as a Christian podcast, Josh and Kenton are open about how faith informs their leadership, decision-making, and approach to generosity. They talk about giving without expectation, vulnerability in leadership, and the responsibility to support community, especially during the Christmas season.

This episode is a reflection on growth, hard work, generosity, and the deeper purpose behind building something that lasts. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who would appreciate it and help grow the Forge community.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation takes an honest, unfiltered look at leadership, governance, and the real work behind running a meaningful Annual General Meeting as a growing contractor-led company.

With Ridgeline’s AGM only days away, the discussion opens with the tension many founders feel when stepping into a more structured, formal leadership environment, moving from informal conversations and surface-level financial reviews into a fully agenda-driven meeting with accountability, metrics, and outside advisory input. For the first time, the Forge team is stepping in as an advisory board, including a designated chair, creating both excitement and intimidation for a CEO used to leading from the front.

The episode explores why so many contractors underestimate AGMs, how poorly structured meetings create confusion and conflict, and why strong leadership doesn’t mean controlling the room, it often means creating space to listen. The conversation digs into the value of outside perspective, board experience, and learning how to receive critique without immediately tying it to personal identity.

From there, the dialogue goes deeper into emotional maturity, tone, and conflict. The hosts unpack why legitimate feedback often gets dismissed when delivered poorly, how insecurity shows up in leadership reactions, and why perception, even when inaccurate, still needs to be addressed. Drawing from personal experience in business, marriage counseling, and board environments, the episode highlights the difference between positional critique and personal attack, and why leaders must learn to separate the two.

Tone becomes a central theme, how it shapes meetings, relationships, and outcomes. The conversation reflects on why leaders often regret how they spoke more than what they said, how emotional state affects communication, and why high-stakes meetings require as much mental preparation as strategic planning. Practical analogies from roofing, icy roads, and physical risk reinforce the idea that awareness, preparation, and restraint are critical when navigating difficult conversations.

The episode also wrestles with governance questions many small businesses face but rarely articulate:

Who should be in the room for an AGM?

When should team leads observe versus participate?

How do you balance transparency with productivity and context?

Rather than offering rigid answers, the discussion emphasizes intentional structure, segmenting meetings, clarifying roles, and ensuring decisions are clearly communicated to the broader team afterward.

The episode closes with a focus on outcomes and implementation. Vision, accountability, metrics, and role clarity only matter if they lead to action. From recording and transcribing meetings to creating clear follow-ups and strategic plans, the conversation reinforces that the real value of leadership meetings is found not in inspiration alone, but in execution.

This episode is a candid look at what it takes to mature as a leader learning to listen, receive feedback, manage emotion, and build systems that allow a company to grow with clarity, trust, and alignment.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh and Kenton open round two with a conversation about a leadership principle that is rarely talked about but deeply shapes teams, families, and culture: honor. Not the vague, ceremonial version most people imagine, but the real, practical posture of how we treat those above us, beside us, and under our care.

The conversation begins with a vivid story from Kenton’s time in Caracas, where two street tough brothers raised in hard circumstances showed unwavering honor toward their mother. That contrast sparks a deeper question: what actually is honor? And how is it different from trust, respect, leadership, or integrity? In business, we talk endlessly about vision, values, trust, and culture, yet almost never about honor, even though Scripture places massive weight on it: “Honor your father and mother… so that it may go well with you.”

They explore why honor is such a rare topic in leadership circles, how it influences both personal and organizational health, and why it might be a missing pillar in modern business. Josh and Kenton unpack how honor shows up not just in big gestures but in small, consistent behaviors, how we greet people, how we disagree, how we give credit, and how we speak about those who have invested in us.

They dig into the way culture reveals honor through action more than words, and how many high performing teams unintentionally reward results even when behavior is dishonoring. They talk about how dishonor can quietly erode trust, fracture alignment, and create ceilings on growth long before performance metrics show it.

Throughout the episode, they wrestle with defining honor in a modern context, what it looks like in families, in leadership, on job sites, and in boardrooms. They explore why honor is not weakness or blind loyalty, but strength expressed through humility, gratitude, and disciplined speech. They discuss how reintroducing honor can reshape team dynamics, reduce friction, and create environments where people can thrive.

Josh and Kenton also share practical steps for building a culture of honor: defining what honor means for your household or organization, practicing daily honoring behaviors, calling out good actions by name, and auditing whether your culture rewards character as much as it rewards output.

This episode is a grounded, challenging, and transformational look at what honor really is and why recovering it may be one of the most important leadership decisions you can make in the years ahead.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh and Joel sit down for a deep dive into one of the most difficult and defining topics for any business leader: partnership. Not the surface-level talk about revenue projections or financial models, but the real heart of partnership, people, values, alignment, and the long-term consequences of saying yes or no.

The conversation begins with the tension so many CEOs feel when the spreadsheets say one thing but your gut says another. Once you start quantifying the benefits of merging, teaming up, or sharing ownership, it becomes easy to reduce everything to revenue, margins, and numbers you can present to a board. But those numbers are only one piece of a much more complicated picture.

They explore what happens when owners are not involved in day-to-day operations, how different personalities measure success differently, and why generosity, trust, and shared vision matter just as much as the financial upside.

Josh talks about the fear, uncertainty, and pressure to make the right decision, and how that often leads to paralysis. What if the partnership slows your growth? What if turning it down limits your potential? What if a new structure changes your role or steals the joy you once had in your work?

Joel speaks to the responsibility of being a visionary and the weight of standing up, casting the future, and selling an idea to the people who share ownership with you, even when you know they may reject it.

They both acknowledge a hard truth: you can model every scenario down to the penny and still overlook the most important factor — the people involved.

Throughout the conversation, they unpack why partnerships succeed or fail even before anything is signed. They talk about thinking beyond dollars and looking at people, synergy, and long-term alignment. They dig into situations where partnerships double revenue but destroy your love for the job.

They discuss how decisions affect not just owners but every person in the organization. They explore the difference between fears that are warnings and fears that are opportunities for growth. They talk about how rushing a decision out of fear can lead to regret and why clarity comes from mapping out roles, responsibilities, and expectations before saying yes.

Joel and Josh also explore the challenges of giving up control, merging cultures, reconciling different motivations, and asking one essential question: whether this partnership will make you a better human, leader, and founder in five years.

This episode is a candid, vulnerable, and practical look at what it really takes to evaluate partnership, acquisition, team mergers, shared ownership, and high-impact decisions that shape the future of a company and the people inside it.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

In this episode of the Foraged Contractor Podcast, we dig into what success really looks like and why trust sits at the center of every healthy team, family, or company. Josh opens the conversation with a powerful reminder: when everyone is rowing in the same direction, aligned in vision and commitment, the energy in the room changes. Work becomes smoother. Leadership becomes easier. Growth becomes inevitable. But without trust, even simple tasks feel heavy.

Today’s guest is someone who helped shape that reality from the inside out. John isn’t just a business partner, he’s practically family. Their story goes back to childhood car rides, parents who grew up together, and a friendship that turned into one of Ridgeline’s longest standing and most meaningful partnerships. John shares his unexpected journey into the trades, how he left a fast climbing corporate career that looked successful on paper but left him completely drained.

What started as a summer job on the roof became the doorway to a new life. He talks honestly about the physical shock of roofing, the respect he gained for the craft, and how one coffee meeting he thought was a farewell turned into an offer that changed his entire direction.

This episode dives into the real stuff behind building something meaningful: trust, vision, taking risks, listening to the tension in your own life, and having the courage to pivot when the path you’re on isn’t the one you actually want. You’ll hear about the value of character over resumes, the lessons the trades teach you quickly, and why John ultimately found more purpose and more peace working with his hands and helping build a company grounded in integrity.

Whether you’re in construction, sales, leadership, or simply trying to figure out your next move, this episode will give you clarity, honesty, and encouragement you didn’t know you needed. If you enjoy it, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is wrestling with their own career crossroads.

No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

In this episode of The Foraged Contractor Alliance, Josh and Kenton explore a truth most leaders eventually face: suffering is inevitable, but joy is a choice. They break down the blurred line between joy and happiness, arguing the two overlap more than most admit. Kenton reflects on his father’s quiet vow at seventeen “not to be discouraged,” and how that conviction, forged in hardship, shaped a lifetime of deliberate joy.

From sunsets at the lake and minus forty nights under northern lights, to business splits and reconciled friendships, they explore how gratitude, faith, and presence make joy possible even in the grind. Joy, they argue, isn’t a mask for optimism—it’s discipline, honesty, and the willingness to see the best in people.

For contractors and leaders alike, this episode is both a reflection and a challenge: choose joy, name it out loud, and model it in the small moments that shape culture. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

In this episode, Kenton sits down with longtime friend Jeff Burkinshaw — engineer, author, and creator of the YouTube channel Gridlessness, to explore what it truly means to live intentionally, build balance, and find freedom beyond the 9–5.

Jeff opens up about how a serious back injury became a turning point in his life, leading him to write Gridlessness: Finding Freedom Off Grid using text-to-speech while recovering in a hammock.

What began as a physical setback evolved into a story of reflection, resilience, and a deeper understanding of purpose. Together, Kenton and Jeff discuss the transition from engineering to homesteading, the mindset behind living “gridlessly,” and the balance between autonomy and connection. They dive into how modern technology, from solar power to internet acces, enables self-sufficient living without disconnecting from the world.

The conversation also touches on the realities of balancing business ownership, creative work, and family time, while finding peace in the slower rhythms of off-grid life. Far from rejecting modern life, Jeff’s story celebrates how technology, community, and self-discipline can support real independence. Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, this episode reminds us that success isn’t defined by what you earn, but by how you live.

No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

Leadership isn’t about speed; it’s about rhythm. The rhythm you build, the trust you extend, and the systems that keep your business healthy. In this episode, Josh and Kenton unpack what it really looks like to grow from being on the tools to leading people who are.

They talk openly about the struggles that come with building trust, creating structure, and letting go of control while still keeping accountability in place. It’s a candid conversation about the messy parts of growth when your business gets big enough that working harder no longer works. They discuss how easy it is to mistake chaos for momentum, why unclear roles cause good people to drift, and how management isn’t about micromanaging but about stewardship.

Drawing from personal experience, they reflect on how early work habits and blue-collar values can both build and limit a company if leaders don’t evolve with them. For contractors across Canada trying to build something sustainable, not just profitable, this episode offers a grounded look at what mature leadership really requires.

It’s about learning to slow down without losing drive, creating systems that serve people, and finding your own cadence as a leader so your team and your company can find theirs. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠ 

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠ 

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, we dive into one of the hardest and most important disciplines for small business owners: managing cash flow. From walking ladders down the road to fund the next job, to realizing how money “blueprints” from childhood shape our financial habits, this conversation gets real about the tension between risk-taking and stewardship.

Kenton and Josh unpack the mindset behind cash flow and how it reflects not just business health, but personal discipline, freedom, and even the way we value relationships over money. They explore what it means to “raise your waterline” as a contractor: creating stability without losing the entrepreneurial drive that built the business in the first place.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure of a tight season or the discomfort of looking at your own financial habits, this one’s for you. It’s raw, honest, and packed with perspective on what true financial stewardship looks like in the trades. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

Saying no isn’t negativity, it’s leadership. Every yes creates a hidden no somewhere else, stealing time, focus, or capacity. In this episode, we unpack how clarity and constraint fuel real growth. From defining your target to filtering every invite, product, and partnership by whether it moves you closer to it, this is how focus becomes a scaling tool.

You’ll learn how to delegate on purpose, avoid the skill vacuum, and protect your team’s growth by letting go of the fun or familiar work. We talk about running your business at 90 percent capacity to guard margin for the moments that matter, family, crisis, or opportunity.

No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project.

In this episode, Redefining Success: From Profit to Purpose in Business and Family, we pull back the curtain on what it really means to win, not just in business but at home. Success isn’t about checklists, profit margins, or busy schedules.

It’s about character built over seasons, the kind that shows up when a job goes sideways and you choose integrity over income. Joel shares a story about taking a financial loss to make something right, proving that real leadership is doing what’s right when it costs you. We talk about failure as fuel, how the toughest lessons become the foundation for better systems, clearer expectations, and stronger teams.

Because failure only stays failure if you refuse to learn from it. And when it comes to family, we get honest about priorities. You can’t build a great company if the home front is falling apart. We talk about creating “family KPIs,” like your kids lighting up when you walk in the door or regular one-on-one time with your spouse, and how to guard those things like your reputation depends on it (because it does).

This episode digs into the tension of seasons, the 80-hour weeks that sometimes have to happen, and how to make those tradeoffs consciously, not by default. It’s about leading at home with the same intention and accountability you bring to work, building connection instead of just collecting paydays.

At the end of the day, money isn’t the glue; presence is. Integrity, growth, and relationships are the real measure of success. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions.

These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond. In this episode, we dig into the leadership mindset that builds long-term success by putting people before profit.

The way you handle people decisions says everything about your values, whether that’s letting a key team member take time for family, backing them up on a honeymoon, or giving space for life beyond the job site. We talk about rewarding quiet integrity and steady communication, not just the loudest voice in the room.

When staff are away, it’s a chance to stretch and test the next generation of leaders, not a setback but a step forward. It’s also a culture check: when you walk onto a site, do your crews feel motivated or tense? Healthy teams reflect honest leadership, not fear. Direction matters more than perfection.

Carry good people through the rough seasons, and your reputation will carry you through the rest. We also cover customer and subcontractor alignment—how trust, communication, and fair dealing shape not only job quality but the long-term strength of your brand.

Real leadership is humility in motion, pausing before reacting and circling back to conversations with clarity and respect.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

When the heat is on, define success by integrity and clarity. Not just speed and revenue.

Pressure has a way of exposing blind spots: overpromised timelines, unintentional dishonesty, and the temptation to cut corners. In this episode, we unpack the hard lessons contractors face when profit, people, and personal values collide. The painful cost of bad pricing, why honoring wrong numbers or walking away from contracts both come with weight.

Gross revenue vs. net profit: why financial metrics are easy but misleading. How slowing down with “rough numbers” preserves integrity. The daily question: Is this aligned with who I want to become? Balancing family time against entrepreneurial demands. Choosing value over perfection and pursuing realistic excellence instead of burning out. For contractors and business owners in the thick of seasonal crunch, this conversation is a reminder that success is more than the bottom line. It’s about reputation, relationships, and long-term health.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

Every business hits bumps in the road, but the real danger isn’t the challenge—it’s the overcorrection. Just like jerking the wheel on the highway, sudden pivots in business can do more harm than good.

In this episode of the Forge Alliance Podcast, Josh and Kenton break down why overcorrection happens, how it wrecks momentum, and what to do instead. They share real stories from the trades: a roofing-to-siding pivot that drained resources, a thriving pool hall that collapsed after upgrading itself out of its niche, and why influencer “all-in” advice rarely works in the real world.

You’ll also hear about the steady, disciplined operators who resist panic pivots and win by staying the course. If you’ve ever felt the urge to swerve when business gets tough, this conversation is for you.

Learn how to hold the wheel steady, lead with intention, and grow with purpose. Through community and mentorship, FCA shares real stories and hard-won wisdom from the field—no gurus, no fluff, just practical guidance. Grounded in trench-level experience, FCA is more than a program—it’s a movement to help contractors build sustainable businesses, strong cultures, and legacies that last.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

Episode Description: In this episode, the conversation centers on distractions—what they really are, how they show up in business and life, and how to overcome them with clarity and intention. Distractions aren’t just the obvious things like phones buzzing or social media notifications. They’re anything that pulls you away from the track you set for yourself, whether in your personal goals or in the direction of your company.

One of the big themes discussed is clarity as the antidote to distraction. When you don’t define the track you’re on, everything feels important, which means you’re constantly pulled into interruptions. Setting a North Star Metric gives you and your team one clear target to rally around, simplifying decision-making and cutting down on wasted effort.

Simplicity also plays a critical role. Too many goals, too many KPIs, or too many responsibilities create confusion and inefficiency. Narrowing your focus to just a few meaningful wins each week brings alignment, while clearly defined job roles reduce unnecessary switching costs and allow leaders to stay out of constant firefighting mode.

The environment you work in is another overlooked factor. Whether it’s blocking out 20% of your week for focused strategy time, finding a quiet space, or working in a coffee shop to avoid interruptions, being intentional about where and how you work can dramatically improve focus. Even the podcast studio itself served as a reminder of what’s possible when distractions are eliminated—phones off, no interruptions, just pure attention.

The costs of distraction are real: switching tasks drains mental energy, minor interruptions add up to inefficiency, and too many small decisions lead to decision fatigue. By simplifying choices and creating systems that reduce interruptions, leaders not only protect their productivity but also their peace of mind.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple truth: clarity, simplicity, and intentionality are the keys to reducing distractions. When you know where you’re going, set fewer but stronger goals, and create the right environment for focus, you reclaim both efficiency and joy in your work and life.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

Are we actually being productive—or just busy? Josh and Kenton trade stories from job sites and boardrooms, exploring the grind, the systems, and the deeper reasons why we work. From dump trailers and microwaves to SOPs, KPIs, and peer groups, they unpack what true efficiency looks like, when hard pushes help (and when they hurt), and why reflection matters as much as hustle.

You’ll hear about the hidden costs of workaholism, the tension between problem-solving and systems thinking, and the role spouses and peers play in keeping you grounded. Whether you’re scaling a business or just trying to get through a long week, this episode will help you rethink how you measure productivity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

"Efficiency is a gift, but effectiveness matters more than effort."

"Know your wiring: problem solver vs. systems builder."

"Celebrate wins, but reflect on what to stop doing."

"Physical limits matter—long days compound costs."

"Spouses and peers catch blind spots you won’t see yourself."

"Strategic growth starts with editing—decide what not to do."

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website:https: forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: forgecontractoralliance  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Joel Berg, founder of a solar company in British Columbia, to unpack what it really takes to grow a business from scratch. Joel shares the story of starting with nothing, wearing every hat in the early years, and the hard transition from being hands-on in the field to stepping into true leadership.

The conversation dives into the heart of business growth, leadership development, and priority setting. Joel opens up about the challenges of trying to set priorities alone, the trap of letting imagined perceptions influence decisions, and the difficulty of maintaining consistent rhythms as a business scales.

Josh adds perspective on how unclear job roles can create bottlenecks and why intentional structure makes growth sustainable. Together, they lay out practical solutions: building weekly and 90-day rhythms for strategic planning, using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to organize priorities, clearly defining roles across the company, and learning to delegate the tasks that don’t belong on your plate.

They also highlight the power of stepping outside the day-to-day—through conferences, peer groups, and outside voices—to gain clarity and avoid blind spots. If you’re an entrepreneur, contractor, or leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights: implement weekly priority-setting sessions with your team, establish 90-day planning cycles, get consistent outside perspective, and keep sharpening your leadership so your business grows in the right direction. This isn’t theory—it’s the real-world journey of building a company, one priority at a time.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NnTSRyn2A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA)

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

In this episode, Kenton sits down with Josh, exploring the challenges of scaling a business while maintaining team cohesion and personal sanity. From unexpected staffing changes to sudden project hurdles, the conversation reveals how even small disruptions can ripple across a company.

We dig into the importance of communication, decision-making under pressure, and the often-overlooked impact of community perception on leadership in small towns. Listeners will hear firsthand how to navigate overlapping challenges, protect company culture during growth, and leverage peer support to stay grounded when it feels like everything is happening at once.

Whether you’re a contractor, entrepreneur, or leader, this episode is a candid look at the tough calls, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep moving forward when the fires keep coming.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NnTSRyn2A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA)

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

In this episode, Kenton joins Josh for a conversation on navigating the pressure that comes with juggling multiple challenges at the same time. From unexpected staffing changes to sudden project hurdles, the conversation reveals how even small disruptions can ripple across a company.

We dig into the importance of communication, decision-making under pressure, and the often-overlooked impact of community perception on leadership in small towns. Listeners will hear firsthand how to navigate overlapping challenges, protect company culture during growth, and leverage peer support to stay grounded when it feels like everything is happening at once.

Whether you’re a contractor, entrepreneur, or leader, this episode is a candid look at the tough calls, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep moving forward when the fires keep coming.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NnTSRyn2A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA)

Welcome to the Forge Alliance Podcast — real talk for tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the hard road of growth. We're building more than businesses — we’re building men, mindsets, and missions. These conversations pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in life and work, from broken starts to breakthrough seasons. No fluff, just real stories from the job site and beyond.

In this episode, Kenton sits down with Josh to discuss the real challenges their roofing business is facing during a seasonal slowdown in Northern BC, Canada. For the first time in their 12-year history, they’re struggling to keep a second crew busy.

They break down the economic factors behind the dip like the completion of major infrastructure projects and the departure of Canfor, the region’s largest employer. With the local economy in flux, they’re exploring creative solutions to stay ahead, including a one-day sales event in partnership with local radio stations, community giveaways, and financing options.

Throughout the conversation, they stress the importance of staying true to company values while adapting to changing market conditions. They also talk about the need to develop better metrics and planning tools to avoid similar situations in the future.

This is a transparent and relatable conversation for business owners navigating uncertain times—packed with insights and strategy.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: https://forgealliance.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NnTSRyn2A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

X: https://x.com/forge_ca (@Forge_CA) / X