Welcome to this bonus episode of the Hard Knock University Podcast — somewhere between Season 2 and Season 3. In this behind-the-scenes sit-down, Mark and Seth Caples grab some cigars, crack open Lone Stars, and react to Episode 1 of the podcast... and tear it apart with brutal honesty, humor, and a whole lot of hard-earned wisdom.

🎙 What started with a grainy webcam and a dream is now a full-blown couch studio setup and a thriving community of resilient leaders. We talk cringe, growth, gear upgrades, and the real lessons behind launching a podcast, writing a book, and navigating the YouTube algorithm.

Whether you’re a creator, leader, or just a sucker for behind-the-scenes chaos, this one’s for you.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

Why "done" is better than "perfect"

The truth about podcast production burnout

How to embrace the cringe and grow anyway

Why views don’t equal value (and why your best content might flop)

How to turn a scrappy setup into a solid studio

The evolution of The Hard Knock School of Project Management book

💥 Plus: An Easter egg contest — find the editing error in Season 2 and win a FREE autographed copy of Mark's book!

🧠 Every Hard Knock is a Chance to Grow.

👉 Subscribe to follow Season 3 and get more #HardKnockLessons.

📚 Grab the book: https://leadershipknocks.com/book