Zac went solo for this one, because there’s a message he wanted every landscaper and hardscaper to hear loud and clear.

In this episode, he shares the exact messages from the ads Landscaping Unlimited ran during the Super Bowl and the Olympics, and break downs why we ran them in the first place...

To help elevate the green industry, to tell the story that most people never see, and to give credit to the men and women doing real work with their hands every single day.

This isn’t about ego and "Look at us," it’s about taking pride in what we do.

These ads, this podcast, our blog, etc they're all about showcasing the craft, highlighting the people behind the projects, and reminding the world that landscaping and hardscaping isn’t “just yard work," it’s service, engineering, art, and responsibility.

If you’re in this industry, this episode is a flag in the ground...

Stand tall, your work matters, and we’re going to help the world see it.

(And if you’re a homeowner or business owner listening in; this will change the way you look at the crews you hire.)

Spring and summer don’t “show up” in the green industry; they hit you like a freight train, whether you're ready or not.

In this episode, Shay breaks down how he’s preparing Landscaping Unlimited to dominate peak season in his 11th year as a Licensed Landscaper.

From tightening systems and sharpening standards to getting crews, equipment, scheduling, and customer expectations locked in before the phone starts ringing off the hook.

Whether you’re a homeowner wondering what to do first or a contractor trying to scale without chaos, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to enter the busy season with confidence.

In this episode:

-> What gets prioritized before spring demand explodes

-> Staffing, scheduling, and systems that keep jobs on track

-> Equipment readiness and avoiding costly downtime

-> How to set expectations with customers (and protect your reputation)

-> The mindset shift that separates year-to-year survival from long-term growth

If you want a spring/summer season that runs smoothly, profitably, and professionally, this is the blueprint...

If you live in Eastern North Carolina and you’ve ever wondered why weeds keep winning, this episode is your wake-up call.

Shay and Zac break down pre-emergent vs post-emergent, what they are, how they work, and why timing matters more than “whatever your neighbor sprayed.”

We talk soil temperatures, NC State, seasonal windows, and how to build a weed-control plan that matches your property, not a generic internet checklist.

Inside, we cover:

1. The difference between preventing weeds and killing what’s already up
2. Why soil temp is the real trigger (and how to use it)
3. The most common Eastern NC mistakes that waste money and burn lawns
4. How do different chemicals/products fit different weeds and seasons
5. Why hiring a licensed pesticide applicator protects your lawn, your wallet, and your liability
6. How to spot what your property actually needs (before you spray)

Whether you’re a homeowner trying to protect your yard or a contractor trying to tighten your program, this episode will help you stop guessing and start getting results.

Listen now and build a weed plan that works in Eastern NC.

In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast, Zac gets real about two things the industry doesn’t talk about enough: Healthy Competition and Business Failures.

First, he breaks down why landscapers and hardscapers should be rooting for each other while still competing at a high level.

The work is hard enough without personal drama, gossip, and people trying to tear each other down; strong competition makes the industry better, while rude personal issues make it worse.

Then Zac shares a recent business failure experienced, what the team learned from it, and why he's talking about it publicly.

This isn’t a polished “we win every time” conversation, it’s an honest one because when you’re building something real, sometimes you get it wrong...

What matters is how you respond, what you learn, and how you move forward.

If you’re a landscaper, hardscaper, business owner, or anyone trying to build with integrity, this episode is for you.

1. Why healthy competition is good for the landscape industry
2. How personal drama hurts business and reputation
3. What Shay and Zac learned from a recent failure
4. How to respond when you get it wrong in business
5. Why honesty and humility build long-term trust

Shay records a solo episode from the Big Island of Hawaii and talks about a landscaping truth:

Every place on Earth has beauty, and every place also has problems.

From comparing Hawaii to North Carolina, to breaking down how climate shapes everything from plant choices to drainage and durability, this episode is a reminder that great landscaping is about working with your environment, not fighting it.

Shay also dives into two of the most calming, backyard-upgrading elements you can add. water features and fire features, and why both instantly make an outdoor space feel more peaceful, more inviting, and more livable.

You work hard, long days with physical labor, stress, and responsibility.

But here’s the uncomfortable question:

Are you giving your best energy to strangers, and bringing the leftovers home?

In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast, Zac lays out five practical, no-excuses ways blue-collar men can show up for their wives and kids, even after exhausting workdays.

This isn’t about being soft; it’s about leadership.

You’ll learn:

-> The 10-minute reset that changes the entire tone of your home

-> How to remove stress from your wife’s life without being asked

-> The 15-minute “deposit” that builds lifelong connection with your kids

-> The one question that can save your marriage

-> How to lead tomorrow before it creates chaos

If you can grind for strangers all day, you can give your family 30 intentional minutes.

Clock out at work.

Clock in at home.

In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast (Powered by Landscaping Unlimited Inc.)

Shay and Zac get real about what it takes to stay focused on the mission when life doesn’t slow down.

Between running a growing landscaping company, managing crews, handling customers, building a brand, coaching sports, volunteering in the community, and still trying to be present husbands and fathers, the pressure is constant.

This isn’t a highlight reel episode...

It’s a practical, motivating conversation about discipline, mindset, priorities, leadership, and mental toughness, and how we keep moving forward when things feel heavy, noisy, and out of control.

We talk about the routines and decisions that protect the mission, the boundaries that keep life from swallowing you whole, and why most people don’t need more motivation; they need direction.

And if you’re in a season where you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or like you’re carrying it alone, reach out.

Seriously...

Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or a guy trying to get your life back under control, we want this podcast to be a place where real conversations lead to real change.

That's the foundation of our slogan, 'Real Men. Doing Real Work. Having Real Conversations.'

Snow in Eastern North Carolina isn’t “normal,” which is why it catches homeowners off guard.

slick walkways, burst pipes, downed limbs, and damaged properties because nobody has a snowstorm plan.

In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast (Powered-ByLandscaping Unlimited Inc.), we break down a no-fluff snow-and-ice game plan for homeowners:

1. How to prepare before the storm hits
2. What to do when conditions are unsafe
3. What to tackle after the thaw.

We cover practical steps such as property walkthroughs, supply checklists, safe snow removal, protecting landscaping and hardscapes, preventing freeze damage, and reducing slip-and-fall risk around your home and business.

We also share recommendations for future storms; what to keep on hand, how to think ahead, and the small actions that save you big money and headaches when winter weather shows up again.

In this episode:

1. Post-storm cleanup and inspection tips
2. How to be ready for the next one, without panic
3. Protecting plants, turf, irrigation, and hardscapes
4. Pre-storm checklist: tools, supplies, and property prep
5. Driveway/walkway safety (and how to reduce liability)
6. What NOT to do with snow/ice removal (common costly mistakes)

If you want a calm, practical plan you can reuse every winter, this one’s for you.

In this solo session, which is the milestone of Episode 40, Shay Brickhouse lays it all on the table, addressing the real purpose behind The Landscaping Podcast and the mindset that built it.

This show isn’t here for fluff, fake gurus, or highlight-reel nonsense.

It’s here for the men in the trenches, the ones building businesses, leading crews, providing for families, and trying to become better while doing hard work in the real world.

Shay breaks down the meaning behind the slogan, “Real Men, Doing Real Work, and Having Real Conversations," and why that standard matters now more than ever.

If you’ve ever felt like modern life is full of noise but starving for truth, this episode will reset your compass.

In this episode:

1. Why The Landscaping Podcast was created
2. What “Real Men” actually means (and what it doesn’t)
3. The mindset behind “Real Work” in business, family, and life
4. Why honest conversations are the missing ingredient in leadership
5. The standard we’re building, and who this show has been designed for

In this solo episode, Zac tackles a problem that destroys crews from the inside out; and that's blurred lines between friendship and professionalism.

Yes, work can feel like family, and yes, you can build real bonds with the people you sweat beside...

But, when “we’re boys” turns into favoritism, sloppy standards, gossip, or disrespect for leadership, the business pays for it. Every time.

Zac breaks down how to keep workplace friendships healthy without letting them sabotage the mission with clear expectations, accountability, communication, + what to do when a friend becomes the problem.

Inside this episode:

1. Why “friends first” becomes chaos fast on a jobsite
2. The difference between loyalty and enabling
3. How to correct a friend without turning it personal
4. The warning signs your crew culture is slipping
5. How leaders set boundaries without becoming a tyrant
6. A simple standard that keeps respect intact: the job comes first

If you’ve ever felt stuck between being “the nice guy” and being the leader your team needs—this one is for you.