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.

Dennis Arrowood, a 28-year veteran of the metals industry and Sales Operations Specialist at Ryerson, joins Shep for a conversation that spans tanks, transitions, and technology. From his early days driving armored vehicles in the U.S. Army to nearly three decades in steel, Dennis brings a unique perspective on structure, discipline, and getting things done.

Inside Ryerson, Dennis carved out a career by navigating both the contract and transactional sides of buying. He breaks down the key differences between the two and what it took to make the leap into sales—offering insight into how the metals industry operates behind the scenes.

But it’s Bryzos that’s redefining how Dennis works today. What used to take him an hour or more now takes just minutes. For someone who knows the grind of manual ordering, the time saved is transformational. Dennis doesn’t hold back, saying Bryzos has truly “nailed it” when it comes to streamlining the buying process.

Whether you’re in sales, operations, or just curious about how innovation is reshaping old-school industries, this one’s worth the listen.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Dr. Dave King, a leading orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, for a deep dive into the high-performance world of sports injuries and surgical innovation. From his days in med school to the intense realities of the OR, Dr. King shares how mental focus, teamwork, and technology collide when treating athletes on and off the field.

They explore what it’s like to work with professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, the evolution of sports-related surgeries, and how robotics and AI are transforming both patient outcomes and the future of medicine. Dr. King also reflects on the contrasting experiences of studying at Emerson vs. WashU, and what it takes to stay sharp—whether you’re leading a surgery or jamming with your band, Manship.

This one’s for the athletes, the tech nerds, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to repair the human body under pressure.

In this special mini episode recorded live at the 2025 NASCC Steel Conference, we switch things up with a quick, on-the-ground conversation between Bryzos’ own Lee Letourneau and Garret Armstrong, Project Manager and Estimator at Metal Pros LLC in Wichita, KS—and an active Bryzos member.

Garret shares his experience attending NASCC, including what sessions stood out, what he’s taking back to his team, and why the event is such a valuable space for professionals in the steel and metals world. He also talks about how he got started on Bryzos, how the platform has helped him secure more jobs, and what he’s most excited about in the upcoming version of the app—and how it’ll support both buyers and sellers alike.

It’s a fast-paced, insightful snapshot from the floor of one of the industry’s biggest events. Whether you’re in metals, manufacturing, or just love hearing from people doing real work in the field, this episode’s for you.

This week on Irregardless, Shep Hickey sits down with Sean Bailey, Territory Sales Manager at Smokiez Edibles, for a conversation that spans from cannabis to the Chilean mountains. Sean gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Missouri’s evolving cannabis industry—how the shift from medicinal to recreational use reshaped his career and opened up new opportunities.

But that’s just the beginning. Sean dives into his time with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), where he spent six months living off the land in Patagonia, Chile. From survival skills and leadership to the Leave-No-Trace philosophy, Sean shares what it really means to thrive in the wild—plus a few hilarious stories and the most intense challenge his group faced in the mountains.

He also reflects on how returning home after such a life-changing experience shaped his worldview—and how his path as an Eagle Scout helped prepare him for it all.

Tune in for a conversation full of grit, growth, and the kind of leadership that only comes from life off the beaten path.

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with industry insider Josh Weber, owner of Metal Transformations LLC in Wichita, KS. Josh’s journey into the metals world is anything but typical—starting out in cattle farming, he transitioned from life on the farm to becoming a skilled metal fabricator.

They dive into his early days learning to weld, the favorite projects he’s worked on over the years, and how he took on the challenge of building his own steel-framed house on the river. Josh also shares his experience crafting Demolition Derby bumpers and the unexpected path that led him to Bryzos—where he found the spark that helped jumpstart his business.

Tune in for an inside look at the grit, creativity, and problem-solving that define the world of metal fabrication.

In this episode of Irregardless, Bryzos COO, Lee Letourneau, sits down with Jeff Giles, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Core & Main, to dive into the journey of one of St. Louis’ industry leaders. Core & Main, a national distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and services, went public in 2021 and has continued to expand through strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Jeff shares insights into the company’s rapid growth, the challenges and successes of his role, and what the future holds for Core & Main. A major focus of the discussion? The crucial role that company culture plays in the success of M&A efforts and why Core & Main prioritizes maintaining a strong, unified team through every transition.

Tune in for a deep dive into leadership, corporate growth, and the power of culture in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode, Shep is joined by Cory Bricker, President of Cass Pay, to explore the evolution of financial technology. 

We dive into the origins of Cass Information Systems, headquartered in St. Louis, and how Cass Pay is transforming payment solutions. Cory shares his journey within the company, insights into how Cass Pay works, and a deep dive into Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)—its rise, benefits, and potential risks. 

Tune in for a compelling discussion on the ever-changing landscape of FinTech.

In this episode Shep sits down with Bob Gassoff to discuss his amazing journey from youth hockey to NCAA hockey championship with Michigan to NHL minors to Navy SEALs to distribution.

In this episode of Irregardless, Rachel sits down with Sarah Hickey to hear her powerful story of resilience, determination, and hope. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at just 26, Sarah opens up about the challenges she faced navigating life with M.S. and the transformative stem cell treatment she underwent in 2022.

Beyond her personal journey, Sarah shares her passion for helping others through her work as a physical therapist with Show Me Aquatics and Camp Independence. She reflects on the joy and inspiration she found working with kids with cerebral palsy in adaptive sports, and how those experiences shaped her perspective on healing and perseverance.

From heartfelt advice to candid reflections, Sarah’s story is one of strength, hope, and the power of community. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation.