Today’s episode is with a great friend of mine, Chris Huckabee, Founder @ MORE Group.  

We unpack his company's remarkable private equity journey and why it was so successful.  Chris shares how the unexpected loss of his business partner pushed him to rethink the future of his company, leading to a strategic shift, a private equity partnership, and rapid national expansion. 

We talk candidly about valuation surprises, building trust with employees during major transitions, and what makes a great private equity partner. Then we pivot to education reform, AI’s impact on schools, and the deeply personal story of how Chris helped lead the effort to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, after the tragic shooting.

We discuss:

• The process Chris went through to pursue private equity and national expansion

• Why he told every employee about the strategic plan before making a deal • How to hire the right investment banker

• The hard lessons around valuation, deal structure, and selecting the right private equity partner

• What AI means for K–12 and higher education and where public education must improve

• How he mobilized donors and contractors to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX

Links:

MoreGroup - https://moregroup-inc.com/

Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-huckabee-693a3a31/

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Topics:

(00:03:19) - Chris’ journey to finding Private Equity

(00:09:27) - Strategic planning

(00:11:31) - Valuing the business

(00:14:36) - People don’t like change

(00:17:43) - Making the decision to pursue PE

(00:21:28) - Finding the right Investment Banker

(00:37:26) - Selecting a buyer

(00:44:44) - The first day after selling to PE

(00:47:59) - Going out to buy companies

(00:51:16) - What makes a great PE partner

(00:57:08) - The state of Education and AI

(01:13:16) - Rebuilding Robb Elementary in Uvalde after the 2022 shooting

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

 I sit down with my friend Todd Peterson to unpack some of the most meaningful conversations we have had over the years about faith, leadership, marriage, and the hidden risks that come with success. We talk candidly about why so many men fall at the peak of their influence and how isolation, pride, and lack of accountability quietly take hold. Todd shares hard-earned perspective from his own life, including lessons from his NFL career, his walk with Jesus, and decades of mentoring men through seasons of growth and unraveling. This conversation is deeply personal, reflective, and grounded in the practical realities of what it means to live with humility, conviction, and purpose.

We discuss:

Why isolation and unchecked success often lead great men to fall

The role of humility, confession, and accountability in long-term leadership

How marriage and trusted relationships shape a man’s character and decisions

The difference between being saved and actively walking in the Spirit

Why meaningful impact is always built through collaboration, not independence

This episode is for anyone wrestling with ambition, faith, leadership, or the desire to build a life that holds up over time.

Todd Peterson is the interim CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Seed Company, a world leader in accelerated Scripture translation. Seed Company has partnered with more than 900 other agencies to cumulatively impact more than 1,100 language groups over the last 20 years.

Peterson was drafted in 1993 by the NY Giants, leading to a 13-year career in the NFL where he also played for Seattle, Kansas City, San Francisco and Atlanta. He set a number of team records and two NFL records – one of which is since broken (most 40-plus-yard field goals in a season). He was named NFL True Value Man of the Year for the Seahawks in 1996 and twice received the NFL Players Association Byron “Whizzer” White award for excellence in character and leadership on his teams. He was twice nominated for the NFL’s Bart Starr Award. Peterson retired in 2006 as one of only 34 players to score over 1,000 points. He is the only player in NFL history to make game-winning field goals for five or more different teams.

(00:03:45) - Why great men “fall”

(00:08:32) - Success-induced isolation

(00:14:23) - Sin

(00:21:31) - Salvation

(00:23:42) - A day in Todd’s life

(00:30:41) - Living in a biblically illiterate world

(00:36:03) - The importance of marriage

(00:50:08) - Having a close group of men in your life

(00:55:42) - Having a relationship with Jesus is hard

(01:09:21) - Undeserved favor

Links:

Seed Company - https://seedcompany.com/

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Today I sit down with two of my best friends, Moses Kagan and Rhett Bennett to reflect on how ReSeed has evolved since their first appearance (ep. 278) on the show three years ago.  

ReSeed is on a mission to back the next generation of elite real estate operators.

We unpacked what has actually happened since launch, how their original vision has held up in practice, and what they have learned by deploying real capital across multiple markets and operators. 

We also dug into how they think about underwriting, operator selection, asset management intensity, and navigating a shifting multifamily landscape. It was a candid look at what it really takes to build a disciplined, long term real estate platform in today’s market.

We discuss:

• How ReSeed’s original thesis has played out after deploying over $100M across multiple operators

• What they look for in emerging operators and how the cohort selection process has evolved

• Why discipline and patience mattered during a slow deal environment and when opportunities finally opened up

• How they approach underwriting, leverage, and long-duration capital in different markets

• The realities of asset management, property management, and execution risk at smaller deal sizes

This episode is for investors, operators, and anyone interested in building durable real estate businesses with long term alignment and disciplined capital deployment.

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:01) - ReSeed's journey and evolution
(00:17:14) - Profile and selection of operators
(00:25:10) - Partnership and capital structure
(00:37:39) - Due diligence and deal approval process
(00:40:51) - Cohort integration and support
(00:42:55) - Real estate market overview
(00:43:22) - Market opportunities and challenges
(00:50:41) - Market fatigue and seller dynamics
(00:51:20) - Operational challenges and opportunities
(01:01:50) - Property management and asset management
(01:11:36) - Construction management and budgeting
(01:15:06) - Capital allocation
(01:23:34) - Closing remarks

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Heath, Founder of Trustpoint Legal, to explore what a modern “Family Office 2.0” actually looks like and why the old models are falling short. We talk about how family offices are evolving from static wealth preservation vehicles into operating businesses built around people, purpose, and multi-generational decision making. Ryan shares lessons from working closely with families navigating liquidity events, succession, and generational transitions, and why flexibility and intentional design matter more than rigid structures. The conversation centers on treating the family office as a living organization, not just a collection of legal documents.

Many can relate to putting in strategic plans for their businesses, their health, etc.  What’s funny is we often don’t put the same planning into what’s most important to us - our family.  

Ryan is on a mission to help families change that.

We discuss:

What defines a Family Office 2.0 and how it differs from traditional family office models

Why legacy, values, and human dynamics drive long-term outcomes more than tax efficiency

How flexible mandates help families adapt as generations, priorities, and circumstances change

The risks of poor communication and rushed planning during liquidity events or succession

How intentional family meetings and shared mission statements strengthen multi-generational alignment

This episode is especially valuable for founders and families rethinking how to structure wealth, leadership, and legacy in a way that actually works across generations.

Links:

Ryan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheath1/

TrustPoint Legal - https://www.trustpointlegal.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:05:11) - Legacy over wealth
(00:09:04) - Flexibility in estate planning
(00:18:25) - The importance of transparency
(00:27:22) - Handling family conflicts
(00:42:00) - Proactive planning and transparency
(00:52:15) - The silver tsunami and trusts for grandchildren
(00:54:28) - Ruling from the grave
(00:57:49) - Trustees and their roles
(01:01:38) - Understanding family offices
(01:06:39) - The three pillars of a family office
(01:09:21) - The complexities of 678 trusts
(01:12:40) - Family limited partnerships explained
(01:15:13) - The importance of succession planning
(01:22:52) - Coordinating family meetings
(01:30:33) - The perfect family office: a case study
Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Today, I sit down with Steve Gatena, Co-Founder & CEO of PRAY, for a conversation about faith, leadership, and building a company with long-term purpose. Steve shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles and playing college football at USC to founding Pray.com and thinking deeply about stewardship, culture, and responsibility. We talk about what it means to lead in moments of tragedy, why community matters more than ever, and how faith intersects with modern business and technology. Throughout the episode, Steve offers a candid look at the frameworks and principles that guide his decisions.

We discuss:

• Steve’s early life, football career, and the turning points that reshaped his path

• Why Hollywood often resists faith and what cultural shifts Steve sees happening today

• The “Mission, Team, Self” framework, and how it applies to leadership and decision making

• Building Pray.com as a sustainable platform across software, media, and subscriptions

• The importance of strong men, building community, and taking accountability

Links:

Pray.com - https://www.pray.com/

Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker - https://a.co/d/1aNzUXU

Steve on X - https://x.com/SteveGatena

Topics:

00:00 - Intro
03:21 - Charlie Sheen and Hollywood vs. Christianity
10:57 - Pray.com since Charlie Kirk’s death
13:35 - The journey to becoming a hope dealer
19:20 - Lessons playing football for Pete Carroll
23:58 - Developing the Mission, Team, Self framework
33:26 - The America Prays initiative
41:49 - Rescuing men
01:05:37 - How do you know if Pray.com is successful?
01:17:13 - Building a customer data platform
01:25:14 - How do you know if you’re being a successful CEO?

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/fort

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Today, my good friend Colt McCoy joins me for a deep and personal discussion about his path from small-town Texas to 14 seasons in the NFL, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and the intentional process of stepping away from the game. We talk through his early years growing up on the sidelines, the day he went from being a complete unknown to over 100 Division 1 offers, and the mindset he built while earning the starting job and leading Texas to the National Championship.  

Colt reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the 2009 title-game injury, the realities of NFL life, and the teammates, coaches, and owners who influenced him most. He also opens up about the year-long discernment process that led him to retire, move his family to Fort Worth, and build a new career in real estate.

We discuss:

• Colt’s early upbringing around football and how it shaped his identity

• Winning the starting job, leading Texas for four seasons, and the highs and lows along the way

• The 2009 national championship injury and its lasting impact

• Lessons from 14 years in the NFL, including leadership, longevity, and adapting his game

• His decision to retire, prioritize family, and pursue a new path in Fort Worth real estate

• The role of faith, patience, and discernment in navigating major life transitions

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Links:

Colt on X - https://x.com/ColtMcCoy

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:51) - The realities of working for ESPN and calling games

(00:11:15) - Colt’s earliest memories of football

(00:18:31) - The impact of Colt’s dad

(00:22:45) - Earning a scholarship to The University of Texas

(00:34:34) - Colt’s career at UT

(00:47:32) - Colt’s greatest memory at UT

(00:57:43) - The state of College football

(00:58:40) - The Michael Crabtree story

(01:04:27) - The toughest environments to play in

(01:06:24) - Colt’s NFL career

(01:08:58) - The biggest learning curve going from the NCAA to the NFL

(01:17:35) - Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever seen?

(01:19:04) - What Colt misses the most about being in the NFL

(01:20:59) - Who’s the scariest player you’ve gone up against?

(01:23:27) - What was the hardest hit you’ve ever taken?

(01:26:11) - The decision to leave the NFL and life after football

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Today's guest, Cody Campbell, digs into the forces reshaping college athletics and his plan to ensure a solution that works for every stakeholder. 

We discuss:

• How changing laws and court decisions created a brief window for Tech to act boldly

• Why Texas Tech’s culture, alumni base, and momentum made the strategy work

• How court rulings displaced the NCAA and fueled today’s chaotic environment

• The financial strain on athletic departments and the risk posed to Olympic and women’s sports

• The influence of commissioners, media companies, and private equity on the future of the system

• Cody’s vision for reform and why federal action is the only path to long-term stability

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

Links:

Cody on X - https://x.com/CodyC64

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: ⁠https://collateral.com/fort⁠

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: ⁠https://x.com/fortworthchris⁠

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

LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠

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POWERS is produced by ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/⁠

Today, I sit down with my good friend Wiley Curran to break down the story behind CPC, a family-built perpetual holding company that buys and holds businesses indefinitely.

We also discuss how CPC approaches acquisitions, management incentives, and organizational design to create enduring value across industries.

We discuss:

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/fort⁠

Collateral Partners: ⁠https://collateral.com/fort⁠

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: ⁠https://x.com/fortworthchris⁠

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

LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠

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POWERS is produced by ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/⁠

Today’s guest is my good friend Jason Illian, Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital.  Jason returns to the show for a meaningful conversation about faith, fatherhood, leadership, and living with eternal purpose. 

We explore how Jason integrates ministry into his home and family life, using sports as a vehicle to teach character and faith. He shares how he and his wife intentionally guide their children through social pressures, technology, and success, and how his approach to leadership, both at home and in business, is grounded in biblical truth. Together, we unpack what it means to lead a family, resist cultural distractions, and build a legacy that lasts beyond material success.

We discuss:

Links:

Dude Perfect

Highmount Capital

Jason on X

Support our Sponsors:

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Vesto: https://www.vesto.com/fort

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

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

Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Jamie Winship has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas.

After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington D.C. area, Jamie earned an M.A. in English and developed a unique process of resolving inner conflict that results in the ability to lead and innovate from a position of authenticity and freedom. His unconventional efforts to bring about societal and racial reconciliation led him to Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, and back to the U.S. 

We discuss:

⁠We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners.⁠ 

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Links

⁠Jamie's website⁠

⁠Living Fearless by Jamie Winship⁠

⁠Identity Exchange⁠

⁠Finding Hope in Depression⁠

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

Chris on Social Media:

X: ⁠https://bit.ly/3BYIjcH⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠

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This episode originally aired on February 20th, 2024

The FORT is produced by ⁠Johnny Podcasts