In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Shep Hickey sits down with Lisa Reisman, CEO and founder of MetalMiner, for an engaging and wide-ranging conversation that traces the unexpected journey that led her into the metals industry.

Lisa shares her unconventional path, from early career twists and wild job stories to her first steps into aluminum trading. She talks about how she and her husband launched MetalMiner as a blog, what it was like to break into the space, and how she navigated a new industry with fresh eyes and relentless curiosity.

They wrap Part 1 with the story of MetalMiner’s pivot from a niche content site to the data-driven forecasting platform that serves buyers and suppliers across the industry today.

Don’t miss Part 2 next week, where Shep and Lisa dig deeper into industry disruption, marketplaces, A.I., and what it really takes to innovate in metals.

This week on Irregardless, we sit down with Sam Goodwin, an entrepreneur, speaker, and St. Louis native, to hear a story that is as unthinkable as it is inspiring.

In 2019, while on a mission to visit every country in the world, Sam was captured in Syria and held hostage for 63 days under the Syrian regime. With no formal charges and little hope, he endured solitary confinement, interrogation, and extreme uncertainty, while his family worked behind the scenes with the U.S. and international governments to bring him home.

But this is not just a story about survival. It is about transformation.

Since his release, Sam has taken his experience and turned it into a platform to help others grow through adversity. With a background in startups and a passion for personal and professional development, he now speaks around the world on how to navigate the unknown, lead with clarity, and turn hardship into strength.

We talk about mindset, risk, faith, purpose, and what it means to move forward when nothing feels certain. Whether you are building a business, leading a team, or going through something difficult in your personal life, this episode will stay with you.

20 episodes in and still just getting started. For this episode, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments from the first 19 episodes of the show.

Hosted by the Bryzos team—Shep Hickey, Lee Letourneau, and Rachel Hartman—Irregardless brings together real, unscripted conversations with guests from across the metals industry, startups, tech, and beyond.

Over the course of the season, we’ve covered a lot: from raw lessons in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship to insights on software, AI, marketplaces, and how Bryzos is changing the game. We’ve heard from shop floors and boardrooms, fabricators and founders, and we’ve had a few laughs along the way.

We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to be joined by so many amazing guests who shared their stories, wisdom, advice, and honesty. Irregardless wouldn’t be what it is without them, and this episode is a celebration of those voices.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re just tuning in, this is a great episode to get a feel for the show and the incredible guests who’ve joined us along the way.

This episode pulls together our favorite mic-drop moments, unexpected tangents, and conversations that stuck with us.

A rewind worth hitting play on.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Chris and Brent Jansky—the father-son duo leading T.J. Welding & Fabrication in Wharton, Texas. As President and Vice President, respectively, Chris and Brent represent the second and third generations of their family-run metal fabrication and welding business. Their story is one of legacy, resilience, and evolution in the metals industry.

They take us back to the company’s origins, founded by Chris’s father and later passed down to him. After decades of hard work, Chris eventually handed the reins to Brent in the wake of Hurricane Harvey—a catastrophic event that not only devastated their shop but also much of their town. In the face of destruction, the Janskys share how loyal employees, strong community ties, and family leadership helped rebuild their operation from the ground up.

Now at the helm, Brent reflects on honoring his family’s legacy while leading the company into the digital age. From adapting technology to staying true to old-school values, the conversation hits on powerful themes: generational transitions, digital transformation in metalworking, and how to balance tradition with innovation.

It’s a must-listen for anyone in the steel or fabrication world—and for those who understand the grit it takes to build, rebuild, and grow a family business in today’s world.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Staci Thomas, Professor of Practice in Communications at Washington University’s Olin Business School, to dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI. With a rich background as a Mandarin translator in the U.S. Air Force and a lifelong passion for language and culture, Staci brings a unique and thoughtful perspective to the conversation.

Together, Shep and Staci explore the power and potential of artificial intelligence—its real-world applications, its promise, its pitfalls, and what it means for the future of communication, education, and business. As the instructor of a course in Generative AI, Staci shares her first-hand experience of using AI in the classroom and how she’s preparing students to adapt and thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Whether you’re curious about where AI is headed or how to practically use it in your life and work, this episode offers a grounded, fascinating look at a topic that’s shaping our future.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Mike Wayte, Principal and Founder of Clinch Northwest, a Seattle-based manufacturer and supplier of self-clinching sheet metal fasteners. Mike shares his journey through the metals and fasteners industry, what inspired him to start Clinch NW, and how his hands-on experience helped shape the company’s direction.

They dive into Clinch NW’s transition to digital, including their eCommerce site and what it takes to bring traditional manufacturing into the online space. Mike and Shep also unpack hot-button topics like tariffs, market volatility, and how global economic shifts are impacting American manufacturing.

From there, the conversation expands to include artificial intelligence and automation, and how these technologies are transforming the way companies like Clinch NW operate. The episode wraps with a look at Bryzos and how the platform is helping solve real problems in the metals industry.

In this laugh-out-loud episode of Irregardless, host Shep Hickey sits down with Allen Heggs, second-generation owner of Helcrist LLC, a family-run steel fabrication and erection company based in Philadelphia, PA. From residential and commercial builds to hotels, schools, and pharmaceutical projects, Helcrist’s legacy runs deep—and Allen is already preparing the next generation to carry it even further.

But Allen’s journey didn’t start with beams and blueprints. He shares hilarious and heartfelt stories from his early entrepreneurial days—selling candy, DJing parties at just 14, and skipping the traditional college path to dive straight into the real world. His take on “failing fast” and finding your true path—whether that’s through steel, music, or raising kids—is both inspiring and genuinely funny.

He and Shep also dive into how Bryzos fits into Allen’s workflow today, and reflect on what it takes to follow a dream—like when Shep first stepped out to build Bryzos from scratch. It’s a conversation about hustle, legacy, and having the guts to build something that matters.

Expect big laughs, real talk about parenthood and unconventional paths, and a Garmin Body Battery story so ridiculous that Shep and Allen could barely keep it together—and asked ourselves, what happens when it does get to zero?

This week on Irregardless, Shep sits down with Eric Gilbert, CEO of ANOVA Furnishings — a St. Louis-based company known for crafting commercial-grade outdoor site furnishings like benches, tables, and receptacles. As a second-generation leader, Eric shares what it’s been like taking the reins from his father and steering the business into its next chapter.

The two dive into everything from entrepreneurship at a young age to the power of teamwork, leadership, and evolving a legacy brand in a modern world. Eric reflects on what’s driving ANOVA forward, how he’s strengthened operations, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. He also shares his perspective on emerging technologies like AI and the role they could play in the future of manufacturing.

As a longtime supporter and early believer in Bryzos, Eric’s seen the journey up close — and it shows in the honesty and depth of this conversation. One highlight? Shep asks him the simple yet profound question: “What is a business?” — setting the stage for one of the most thoughtful exchanges we’ve had yet.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with the one and only Joe Tierney—a Broadcast and I.T. Specialist who wears more hats than most people own. If you’ve seen our Cracking the Code mini-series, you’ve already seen Joe’s work. He was the quiet force behind the scene, helping to capture the Bryzos team with clarity, creativity, and authenticity. But this time, we’re flipping the script and bringing Joe in front of the lens to hear his story.

Joe’s talents run deep. By day, he works in live sports broadcasting as a technical director, builds motion graphics and animations, manages Apple systems, and keeps data flowing. By night (and sometimes on tour), he’s a drummer, a hands-on car guy, and a dad. Joe also has a deep appreciation for mathematics, an evolving curiosity about A.I., and a uniquely thoughtful approach to problem-solving—something he and Shep explore in depth during this episode.

Together, they talk about the intersection of creativity and technology, the challenges of juggling so many roles, and the ways Joe stays curious and adaptable in a fast-changing world. Most importantly, Joe shares his outside-in perspective on Bryzos—what makes the platform different, what stood out to him while working on Cracking the Code, and why he believes it’s solving real problems in an industry that’s long overdue for change.

Whether you’re into sports, tech, music, or just love hearing how smart people think, this episode offers a refreshing and human take on the power of versatility and innovation.

From the bite suit to the welding mask—Jeff Hasty’s career path is anything but ordinary.

Jeff was raised around welding and pipe fitting, following his dad's career from state to state. As one of the best welders Jeff’s ever known, his dad gave him an early look into the world he’d eventually return to. Initially, Jeff was pulled toward law enforcement after a Ride-Along sparked a new passion. He built a rewarding career as a police officer and K9 handler in California, suiting up in the bite suit and training alongside his four-legged partner.

When life forced a pivot, Jeff returned to his industrial roots, moving to Illinois to work on power plants—where he stepped into his first leadership role as a superintendent. That experience eventually led him Gross Mechanical, where he now serves as COO of the largest pipe fabrication facility in the area. 

When he’s not leading teams at Gross Mechanical, Jeff puts his skills as a Certified Hypnotist to work—helping clients through hypnotherapy.

Tune in for a conversation about pivots, leadership, and the unique life experiences that shape our industry.