The Landscaping Podcast

In this episode, we get honest about a hard truth...

Nobody is coming to save small towns.

In big cities, people often look to systems, programs, and government to solve problems; but in small town America, it has always been different.

Out here, people have to rely on their neighbors, their community, and each other.

This conversation is about small-town grit, responsibility, resilience, and pride. It is about what happens when people stop waiting for outside help and start showing up for the people around them. Because in places like ours, strength is not found in handouts; it is found in hard work, loyalty, and community.

If you care about small towns, real people, and the mindset it takes to keep a community alive, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, Shay breaks down a truth too many people learn too late: "If you do not take control of your time, your time will control you."

He talks about the importance of managing your schedule with intention so your job gets your best, your mind and body are not neglected, and the people you love are not left with the job's leftovers.

This episode is about priorities, discipline, and building a life that is in balance.

Shay speaks on making room for your responsibilities, your personal growth, and your loved ones, without using “busy” as an excuse.

If you have been feeling stretched thin, distracted, or like the days are running you instead of the other way around, this one will hit home.

In Episode 52 of The Landscaping Podcast, Shay and Zac are in the truck, catching up after a busy week and getting into a truth that needs to be said more often:

Most people have no idea how deep the green industry really is.

Too many people see landscaping as just mowing grass, spreading mulch, or moving dirt.

That mindset is shallow, and it’s wrong.

The green industry is filled with skill, education, strategy, client management, plant knowledge, equipment knowledge, problem-solving, design awareness, and real-world experience that most of the public never sees.

That’s a big part of why this podcast exists.

We’re not just here to talk shop; we’re here to raise awareness, pull back the curtain, and help people better understand the intelligence, professionalism, and depth behind this industry.

In this episode, we talk about the week, the work, the podcast's bigger mission, and why educating the public matters if this industry is ever going to get the respect it deserves.

If you work in landscaping, lawn care, hardscaping, irrigation, or any part of the green industry, this episode will hit home.

And if you’re outside the industry, this is one worth hearing.

In Episode 51 of 'The Landscaping Podcast', we’re bringing you the audio from Shay Brickhouse’s first public presentation in the green industry, delivered at the Turf Council of North Carolina meeting.

In this talk, Shay breaks down what it really means to build a people-first industry and why the companies that win long term are the ones that take care of their team and their clients better than anyone else.

This is a message about more than landscaping.

It’s about leadership, culture, trust, service, and why real growth starts with people, not just profit.

If you’re a landscaper, business owner, manager, or someone trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge the way you think about success in the green industry.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe, share it, and follow along for more conversations built for the landscaping world.

In this solo episode, Zac talks about something a lot of people never fully give themselves permission to do, be real...

Too many people are walking through life edited, filtered, watered down, and afraid to say what they actually think, feel, or believe. They stay quiet to keep the peace, shrink themselves to avoid judgment, and perform instead of live.

That is no way to live.

In this episode, Zac breaks down why authenticity matters, why your voice has to be used in a way that is true to you, and why freedom starts the moment you stop asking the world for permission to be yourself.

He also talks about a recent speech Shay gave, where he let people see the real him.

He spoke honestly, directly, and without hiding behind what sounded polished or safe. He gave himself the freedom to speak about people and situations in a way that was genuine to who he is, and that kind of honesty is powerful.

Because this truth does not just apply to business, leadership, or public speaking.

It applies to marriage.

It applies to parenting.

It applies to friendship.

It applies to your work.

It applies to the way you carry yourself in every room you walk into.

If you are tired of living half-hidden, tired of censoring yourself, and tired of feeling disconnected from your own voice, this episode is for you.

You do not need to become someone else, you need to give yourself the freedom to be heard, and the courage to be seen.

Growth sounds good until it starts costing you your standards, your sanity, and the culture that built your company in the first place.

In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast, Shay and Zac break down one of the hardest lessons in business: knowing when to say no.

They talk about why not every opportunity is a good one, why knowing your people matters more than most owners realize, and how to scale a landscaping business without stretching your team, systems, or reputation past the breaking point.

This episode is for landscapers, hardscape professionals, green industry leaders, and business owners who want real growth, not fake momentum. If you are trying to build a stronger team, protect your company culture, and grow your landscaping business the right way, this conversation is for you.

Topics include:

• When to say no to jobs, clients, and opportunities
• Why knowing your crew changes everything
• How leadership affects long-term growth
• Scaling a landscaping company without losing control
• Building a business that grows with strength, not chaos

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:

• The difference between preventing weeds and killing what’s already up
• Why soil temp is the real trigger (and how to use it)
• The most common Eastern NC mistakes that waste money and burn lawns
• How do different chemicals/products fit different weeds and seasons
• Why hiring a licensed pesticide applicator protects your lawn, your wallet, and your liability
• 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.

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