Aaron Foss is a serial entrepreneur who has built five companies, including Nomorobo, the service that has stopped billions of unwanted robocalls and spam texts. Nomorobo was acquired by Applause Group in August 2023. Before that, Aaron participated in Techstars NYC with SideTour, which Groupon acquired in 2013. He has testified before Congress three times and has been featured by outlets including The New York Times, Wired, CNN, CNBC, and Fox News.

In this conversation, Aaron explains how to identify problems worth solving, distinguish progress from real traction, and know when to narrow your focus from a wide flashlight into a laser. We also discuss why entrepreneurs should fall in love with the problem instead of chasing trends, how constraints can improve creativity, what he looks for in founders, and why his work with Defy Ventures has become such an important part of his life. Aaron also shares lessons from building and selling companies, along with the books and negotiation tools that helped him along the way.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

Join the newsletter:
https://substack.com/@steveseger

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger

Connect with Aaron and explore his work:
https://go.aaronfoss.com/linktree

Learn more about Defy Ventures:
https://www.defyventures.org/

Never Split the Difference Negotiation Cheat Sheet:
https://medium.com/yanda/negotiation-cheat-sheet-31c73031956a

00:00 From Tech Kid to Serial Problem Solver
03:41 The Wing Dipper and Learning Through Real Feedback
07:48 Techstars, Focus, and the Road to Nomorobo
14:53 Retiring at 45 to Coach Entrepreneurs
16:19 Start With the Problem, Then Narrow the Beam
21:23 Constraints, Forcing Functions, and Learning by Doing
29:24 Fall in Love With the Problem, Not Your Passion
35:19 Every Interview Is a Pitch, and Experience Beats a Resume
41:30 Defy Ventures and Entrepreneurship After Incarceration
48:18 Progress vs. Traction: The Proof Investors Need
54:43 Mistakes, Book Recommendations, and Founder Green/Flags
01:05:27 Final Wisdom: Keep It Simple

In this solo episode of Pieces of Impact, I walk through four unrelated rabbit holes I went down recently: Darth Bane and the Rule of Two in Star Wars, trained protection dogs that can cost around $90,000 or more, a quick oral report on redfish, and the federal duck stamp. The goal here is simple: learn a little, have some fun, and share a few topics I found interesting enough to dig into.

Subscribe for more solo episodes and long-form conversations on Pieces of Impact.

00:00 Introduction to the Solo Episode

01:54 Darth Bane and the Rule of Two

07:03 The World of Trained Protection Dogs

10:23 Exploring Redfish: A Deep Dive

15:13 The Federal Duck Stamp: Conservation in Action

In this episode, I sit down with Carter Huff, an Army veteran and the man behind Bogey’s Barn. Carter invited me up to his place to record this conversation inside the pole barn he is turning into a home gym, training space, and brand named after his basset hound, Bogey.

Bogey of course was a big contributor to this candid discussion. Check out the video version to see him.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@steveseger
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=f5abdaf2294c4a35
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger

Guest Links

Bogey’s Barn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bogeys_barn/
Bogey’s Barn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bogeys.barn
Bogey’s Barn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568794403157#

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro and why I drove up to Bogey’s Barn
02:03 Carter joins the show inside the barn
02:39 Carter’s background, military path, and return to Ohio
03:36 Bogey, basset hounds, and the story behind the name
04:43 Buying the property and building the barn piece by piece
08:41 Finding the farmhouse and why people connect with the space
14:26 Posting every day and growing Bogey’s Barn authentically
22:08 Marathon prep, hybrid training, and removing excuses
32:00 Bogey’s role, diet, basset hounds, and life at the barn
41:55 Carter’s long-term vision, rapid fire, and final wisdom

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Trench, former CEO of BiggerPockets and host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, to talk about financial independence, career leverage, house hacking, and the path that took him from early employee to leading one of the biggest real estate education platforms.

We get into why financial runway creates better career options, how Scott made himself valuable early at BiggerPockets, what it looked like when the company sold, how he thinks about personal brand and AI, and why financial freedom is about more than just real estate. We also talk about family, kids, wealth, strategy, and the advice he hopes listeners remember.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@steveseger
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Steve_Seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger

Guest Links:

Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22/

BP Money Podcast: https://youtube.com/@biggerpocketsmoney?si=P1_KewEzj67-oYuV

00:00 Intro and why Scott’s work matters to Steve
03:33 Scott joins the show
04:00 Life after stepping down as CEO
05:28 Balance, obsession, and CEO stress
07:14 Finding BiggerPockets through financial independence
07:46 Mr. Money Mustache, house hacking, and early FI thinking
10:16 Building financial runway after college
11:39 Making yourself valuable as an early employee
14:10 Choosing equity and upside
16:34 What a company sale looks like from the inside
19:31 Learning from Josh Dorkin and a professional CEO
20:50 Set for Life and what still applies today
22:16 BiggerPockets Money and the next FI problems
25:45 Personal brand as a long-term asset
27:38 AI, original thought, and better financial planning
32:27 Why AI rewards people who understand the full problem
35:02 Wealth, kids, and not imposing your system
38:50 The financial independence car pick
39:05 Common early-career money mistake
39:21 Underrated career skills
39:37 Content formats he is bullish on
40:19 Book recommendations
40:59 House hack, index funds, or business equity
41:17 AI use cases he is excited about
42:08 A day with no responsibilities
42:33 Current workout split
42:56 Final wisdom: what strategy really means
44:02 Where to find Scott

Joe Simonds is an author and co-founder of Salt Strong, a fishing education, content, membership, tackle, and community business he started with his brother Luke after leaving financial services. In this episode, we talk about walking away from a successful but unfulfilling career, building Salt Strong from scratch, working with family, growing through content and community, and what changed after the company’s recent sale.

We also get into AI, why “riches are made in niches,” protecting community standards, the fishing theme park idea, and why writing down your mission, vision, and core beliefs can change how you build.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

Join the newsletter: https://substack.com/@steveseger
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@steve_seger2?si=NcXPNK00GHANUmpR
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-impact/id1851467002
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt?si=fa8d2e2a653f491b
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveseger

Guest links:

Website: SaltStrong.com,

Joe’s book link: https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Happiness-Ultimate-Achieving-Fulfillment/dp/0692733051

Salt Strong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Saltstrong

Salt Strong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltstrong/

00:00 Why I Wanted to Have Joe On
02:19 Leaving Financial Services for Something More Fulfilling
09:06 The First Sale That Made Salt Strong Possible
10:25 Seven Months Before Taking a Day Off
11:36 What Works and Doesn’t When Building With Family
14:45 Free Content, Memberships, and the First Signs of Momentum
18:31 Community First, App Second
24:10 Core Beliefs, No Cursing, and Protecting the Culture
25:54 Riches Are Made in Niches, Even in the AI Age
31:06 Selling Salt Strong Without Losing the Mission
37:59 The Funniest Part of Selling the Company
41:27 The Fishing Theme Park Vision
51:00 The Grandfather Story and Creating Memories That Matter
55:58 Final Wisdom: Write Down the Mission

In this episode, I sit down with Carter Dorsch, Co-Owner at 98 Real Estate Group, to talk about real estate on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. We get into Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Hurricane Michael, what makes the area so unique, and how Carter went from sitting in empty open houses with a chair and flyers to helping build one of the top real estate brands in the market.

We also talk about branding, newsletters, handwritten letters, AI listing descriptions that sound like a robot had too much coffee, Ed Ball, the St. Joe Company, college football, local food spots, and why “don’t half-ass it” is solid life advice. Carter is sharp, honest, and easy to talk to, and this was a really fun one for anyone interested in real estate, marketing, or coastal towns.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
02:24 Carter Dorsch Joins the Show
02:54 Running 98 Real Estate Group
03:43 Florida’s Forgotten Coast
04:45 COVID and Coastal Demand
06:09 Hurricane Michael and Mexico Beach
08:30 Building Codes and Stronger Homes
12:15 Rebuilding After the Storm
14:36 Getting Started at 98
17:31 Early Pressure and Eating What You Kill
21:43 Buying Into the Business
23:34 Lessons From Ownership
25:03 Branding and Visibility
26:52 Newsletters and Referrals
28:40 AI in Real Estate
31:34 Smarter Direct Mail
34:51 Fastest-Growing Coastal Markets
37:27 Recruiting Agents and Protecting the Brand
40:59 Ed Ball, DuPont, and George Washington
43:25 The St. Joe Company
53:17 The Future of the Forgotten Coast
59:45 Carter’s Long-Term Vision
1:02:34 College Football
1:05:52 Rapid Fire
1:10:29 Handwritten Letters Still Work
1:14:08 Famous Clients
1:15:32 Don’t Half-Ass It
1:17:35 The Myrtle Beach Closing Story
1:19:53 Where to Find Carter

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Cermele to talk about his career in fishing media, from Field & Stream and Outdoor Life to MeatEater and now building Cut & Retie as an independent show. We get into writing, storytelling, creative freedom, audience trust, sponsors, and what it actually looks like to build a media business around your own voice.

Joe shares what he learned from nearly 20 years inside outdoor media, why personality-driven content has changed the industry, how hard it is to start from zero today, and why being independent gives you freedom but rarely gives you safety. We also get into AI, old fishing stories, why he hates dolphins, and why looking for Bigfoot is a respectable career path.

Check us out on Podmonitor: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G1q77ZGcc4iwO87rj0tC88WJQh7YaiMB/view?usp=sharing

Join the Pieces of Impact community and subscribe for more conversations like this.

 00:01 Intro and why Joe appreciated a conversation outside the fishing world
00:55 Joe’s current life as an independent media creator
02:16 Creative work vs. building a business
04:36 How 20 years in media shaped his current path
07:40 Creating your own luck in outdoor media
11:51 Early adoption, blogs, video, and Hook Shots
17:34 Field & Stream archives and what old fishing media can teach us
19:07 Amazon trip, media trips, and international fishing logistics
22:36 Moving to MeatEater and learning the business side of media
25:42 Joining MeatEater right before COVID
27:39 Why hunting content can be more lucrative than fishing content
29:52 Why he started Cut & Retie
34:21 Building community and the platform he wishes he owned
38:14 Family, privacy, and being personal without filming everything
41:33 What Joe’s community actually looks like
44:38 Authenticity, over-sharing, and not forcing a persona
47:32 Why starting from zero today would be so difficult
49:59 Independent podcast economics and sponsor volatility
52:43 Protecting audience trust with brand partnerships
54:55 Where fishing media is heading
58:10 AI, search, and the future of outdoor writing
01:03:15 The ghost striper story
01:07:56 Finding Bigfoot, River Monsters, and burnout in dream jobs
01:09:51 Rapid fire round
01:10:25 Writer recommendation: Riverhorse Nakadate
01:11:46 Best place Joe has ever fished
01:12:42 How playing in bands helped his media career
01:14:47 Why Joe hates dolphins
01:16:39 Final wisdom: originality over competition
01:17:57 Where to find Joe and Cut & Retie

In this episode, I sit down with Zak Herbstreit, former Ohio State player and now host of Off Script at On3, to talk about his transition from football into sports media, why On3 felt like the right fit, and what he is learning as he builds his voice in the college football world.

We get into how he approaches content, what it is like being behind the scenes at major games, why staying unbiased matters in this job, and his honest take on NIL, the transfer portal, and whether the sport can keep what makes it special.

Subscribe for more conversations like this on Pieces of Impact.

00:02 Intro and Zak’s background
01:32 Why On3 felt like the right fit
02:26 Why he moved away from coaching
12:44 Relationships and access in sports media
13:51 Getting reps and growing the platform
18:15 How he plans and films game-day content
21:15 Ohio State-Michigan tunnel story
22:43 Staying unbiased in media
27:52 NIL, transfer portal, and commitment
49:30 Five-year vision
50:47 Rapid fire round
57:15 Final wisdom and where to find Zak

In this solo episode, I walk through four rabbit holes I went down this week: the Mitch Rompola world-record buck controversy, the behind-the-scenes world of the Masters from my own time there, the St. Joe Company and the Northwest Florida land empire built by a descendant of George Washington, and the theory that the Great Pyramid may have been built from the inside out.

None of these really connect, and that is kind of the point. They are just four rabbit holes I spent entirely too much time watching YouTube videos on this week. If you like episodes that mix sports, business history, the outdoors, and old-world theories, this one should be a fun listen.

00:00 Intro and the four topics
01:19 Mitch Rompola buck controversy
05:11 The Masters and Augusta’s behind-the-scenes rules
11:01 The St. Joe Company and the Green Empire
15:21 The Great Pyramid inside-out theory
19:21 Recap and outro

In this solo episode, I walk through four topics I’ve been thinking about lately: AI-generated Star Wars videos on YouTube, the Blue Zones documentary on longevity, a farm and community business model that really caught my attention, and an old parable about aging parents.

I get into where AI fan content might be heading, what the Blue Zones get right about health, why Sweet Honey Farm feels like such a smart product, and the reminder to stay humble and grateful for the people who dropped branches on the trail before us.

00:00 Intro and the four topics
01:56 AI Star Wars on YouTube and how fast it’s improving
06:12 Blue Zones and why environment matters more than biohacks
09:19 Sweet Honey Farm and the business of selling an environment
11:16 Why people would actually pay for a place like this
14:02 The aged mother parable
16:02 The branches someone else dropped before you
17:12 Recap and closing takeaways

Subscribe if you enjoy solo episodes like this alongside the longer conversations on Pieces of Impact. If you want 2-3 minute recaps of my episodes in a weekly email, subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@steveseger?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page