Today's guest is Troy Holler. Troy and his two brothers host the popular YouTube channel, the Cichlid Bros. These brothers are not only aquarium hobbyists, but they are also passionate about sharing their experiences and knowledge with the world.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Why Troy loves working with his brothers
• Spitballing ideas with each other to make better content
• Growing up with a family aquarium and a brown cichlid named 'Bigfoot'
• Helping a high profile client with his aquarium
• Setting up tanks and troubleshooting problems
• Keeping videos very simple for their viewers
• Not letting hateful comments affect them
• Interesting things that happen during the breeding process
• Affiliate marketing and sponsorships

Mentioned

Cichlid Bros YouTube channel

Cichlid Bros Instagram

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

Today we are chatting with our friends, Paul and Barbie, about what it is like to work everyday with a spouse. We talk about all things business, friendship, and advice for other entrepreneurs who want a successful business and marriage.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Eric's long friendship with the Holderman family
• How working together is extremely challenging yet exceedingly rewarding
• Their biggest struggle after all these years
• Tuning out the business for date nights
• Taking personality tests to understand each other better
• Dividing responsibilities based on one's strengths
• Being honest and vulnerable in peer groups
• Not stealing time away from your family
• How working on the marriage can also grow the business

Mentioned

https://www.pondgnome.com/

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

Keeping your pond healthy and looking tip top all year long is important. We created a 2023 list of things you can do each season, to make sure you can enjoy your pond throughout the year!

In this episode, we talk about…

• Our plans for the podcast this year
• Suggestions for the types of flowers you can plant for Valentine's Day
• Doing cleanouts during certain time periods depending on the climate in your area
• The dangers in doing deep cleanings in the warmer months
• The perfect time for aquatic plant changes
• Power feeding your fish during the summer months
• When you should consider putting a net over your pond
• Swapping out certain plants to bring new fresh feelings to the pond
• Why establishing a weekly routine is so important

Mentioned

Annual Pond Calendar Punchlist

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

Today’s guest is Luan Nguyen. He went from working in casinos, to becoming a contractor. He is now the founder of a very successful deck building company. Luan Nguyen shares his secrets to success. 

In this episode, we talk about…

• The transition from working in the casino industry to becoming a contractor
• What forced Luan to get off the tools and start running other areas of his business
• How focusing on your marketing will take you out of desperation mode
• Maximizing the word-of-mouth marketing
• Why investing in yourself is a necessary step to scaling your business
• Not beating yourself up over the mistakes you make
• The 3 types of people you need to have in your life
• Making your decisions based on your core values

Mentioned

Luan’s LinkedIn

Luan’s TikTok

Connect with Luan on Facebook

Deck Bros 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

Today's guest is Luan Nyguen. He went from working in casinos, to becoming a contractor. He is now the founder of a very successful deck building company. Luan Nyguen shares his secrets to success.

In this episode, we talk about…

• The transition from working in the casino industry to becoming a contractor
• What forced Luan to get off the tools and start running other areas of his business
• How focusing on your marketing will take you out of desperation mode
• Maximizing the word-of-mouth marketing
• Why investing in yourself is a necessary step to scaling your business
• Not beating yourself up over the mistakes you make
• The 3 types of people you need to have in your life
• Making your decisions based on your core values

Mentioned

Luan's LinkedIn

Luan's TikTok

Connect with Luan on Facebook

Deck Bros 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

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]