Today's guest is Dan, "The Turtle Man." Dan has had a fascination with fish and aquatics since childhood, and now he is a conservationist who teaches others about turtles and other animal life.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Building ponds during Zoom classes
• Dan's growing fascination with fish and turtles as a young boy
• The multifaceted issues involved in turtle conservation
• Why captive breeding is a necessary evil
• Watching the turtles discover live food
• Turtles that do not know how to swim
• Passing off turtles to loving homes
• Exposing YouTube channels guilty of animal cruelty
• Not sacrificing your morals just to obtain rare animals

Mentioned

Dan's Patreon

Dan's IG

Dan's Business Email: [email protected]

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Today's guest, Tommy "San" Lira, is a bonsai enthusiast with over 40 years of experience. While he does not have formal training, Tommy "San" is a self-taught, bonsai expert. Tommy shares his passion for bonsai and his growing interest in koi fish and ponds.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Growing up with a father who knew how to perfectly prune trees
• The first time Tommy realized he wanted to work with bonsai
• The reason Tommy reached out to the Pond Digger Ranch
• A unique, trade agreement between Tommy and Eric
• How the working relationship has been for the last year and a half
• Appreciating each other's different visions of art and beauty
• Why one cannot teach someone how to do bonsai
• Building a larger pond than Tommy anticipated
• The moment Tommy revealed the finished pond to his wife

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Today's guest is Bryce Hollingsworth, also known as "Stone Bear Mason." Bryce is a stone worker who is dedicated to preserving the art of dry stone walling. This guy eats, breathes, and lives stone building. Bryce explains why you have to be obsessed with this type of work if you are going to do it.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Putting time and energy into the craft first, and social media second
• Being intentional about maintaining good health while doing this type of work
• The tools Bryce uses as a stone worker
• How he became interested in this type of work
• Civilization's long history of building walls without mortar
• Restoring walls over 300 years old
• Why it's important to build by eye without levels or strings
• The best way to start learning stone masonry
• Pricing appropriately for the brutal work you do

Mentioned:

Follow Bryce on Instagram: StoneBearMasonCheck out his website

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Today's guest is Mel, also known as the "Ha Y N Fish Keeper." Mel is a fish keeping enthusiast who acquired so many aquariums in his home, that he eventually had to move his fish to ponds.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Being infatuated with aquariums since childhood
• How Mel got inspired to create a pond in his backyard
• Deciding to go balls to the wall when creating the pond
• Trying to manage family life, career, and the passion for ponds
• The Ying Yang between his coaching career and building ponds
• Mel's "fanboy" moment when he met Eric the first time
• Going viral online and getting sponsored
• Their passion for mountain biking
• Fighting imposter syndrome and inspiring others

Mentioned:

Mel's Instagram: haynfishkeeperMel's YouTube Channel

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Today we are joined by our good friends, Marsha and Stormy Sadler. The Sadler girls are a big part of our wildlife rehabilitation project here at Pond Digger Ranch. We chat about how Leslie and the Sadlers got into wildlife rescue and some wild stories they have had along the journey.

In this episode, we talk about…

• How Leslie's relationship with the Sadlers got started
• Marsha's first encounter with wildlife - She rescued a hawk
• Saving baby racoons in a very scary situation
• The right thing to do when you find wild animals living in your home
• The pros and cons of animal control
• Why some animals will move closer to humans
• Debunking myths about certain animals
• How to find a Licensed Rehabilitation Worker

Mentioned:

Marsha's Instagram: @evil_queen

Penelope Finds a Home

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Running your own contractor business is stressful. You gotta learn how to be a warrior and keep fighting to make it work. Not only for your own sanity but for the lives of the people who depend on you.

In this episode, we talk about…

• How Eric met Johnny "Dingo" - The crazy Australian who is now his nephew
• Johnny pulling through on Eric's pond build
• Taking off the quarterback helmet and giving your team responsibilities
• Eric's funny hot tub story
• The chaotic life of a mechanic
• The process of becoming a legal contractor
• Taking a gun to buy a horse
• Suicide in the construction industry
• Why social media sucks now

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

We all love building and maintaining our ponds, however it can get hot outside. One day, it was just so hot, Steve Hasty decided to work on his pond nude. He has never looked back since. Today we talk to The Naked Pond Builder.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Eric skating in the Nude Bowl in Desert Hot Springs
• Recalling the first time Steve and Eric first met
• How Steve got free blocks, rocks, and a gazebo for his pond
• Where Steve keeps his tools since he doesn't wear clothes
• How some of Eric's clients offered to pay him more money to work half naked
• Scaring off people who may see Steve naked in the backyard
• Steve's profession before retiring and becoming The Naked Pond Builder
• How you get accustomed to working naked, once you start

Mentioned:

The Coolest DIY Pond This Side of the Cul de Sac

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Fall prevention will save you mountains of work and money in the Spring.

In this episode, Eric and Leslie talk about…

• What you can do to help your koi fish when their immunity lowers in the Winter
• Large water changes - Why they are necessary and How to do them
• The reasons they do not recommend or even offer Fall Cleanouts
• What do you when your fish population is too big
• Different food blends for different temperatures
• Putting a heavy dose of beneficial bacteria in the water treatment
• Why you should have underwater lights and certain plants in the Fall and Winter

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Do you love design so much that you would design ponds for free if you could? Do you love creating a beautiful atmosphere for people with your designs? You are not just a designer, you are a visionary.

In this episode, Eric and Douglas talk about…

• Designers joining the industry just to make money
• Improving mental health due to the atmosphere a beautiful pond can give
• Cookie-cutter mentality and how it will lead to stagnation
• Appreciating design drawings done by hand
• Picking up higher caliber clients
• Knowing who has influence on the pond decision
• Being flexible and letting form dictate the design

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Are you a craftsman that struggles with hanging up the tool belt, because you have to take on other business responsibilities? You are not alone. Eric and Tyson have experience with this and offer advice on how to balance being in the field versus being in the office.

In this episode, Eric and Tyson talk about…

• Hanging up the bags once you are managing multiple crews
• Relinquishing power when taking off the toolbelt
• Why Eric looks for "intre-preneurs" for his team
• Tyson changing roles from craftsman to office worker
• Leaders calling out mistakes but also providing positive feedback
• Pumping up the crew when the energy and efficiency is low
• Why leaders need to have different team members work together
• Getting the job done is more important than your break time

Links to resources:

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook TikTok

If you have any questions, feel free to email Eric with the subject line "Persuasive Pond Design" at:

[email protected]

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts