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

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