The Landscaping Podcast

Shay and Zac sit down with Landscaping Unlimited’s newest team member, Landon, a 16-year-old homeschool student balancing school, baseball, and a fast-growing passion for the trades.

This is the episode every parent, teen, and young adult should hear. Landon breaks down what drew him to landscaping and hardscaping rather than the typical “safe job” route. His perspective is raw, honest, and exactly what the workforce needs more of.

Inside this episode:

• Why Gen-Z workers are turning toward trades, not away
• How baseball, discipline, and family shaped Landon’s drive
• The importance of letting kids work with their hands
• Real behind-the-scenes stories from his first projects
• How mentorship accelerates a young worker’s success

This episode is proof that the trades aren’t dying, they’re being rediscovered.

Know a young person who needs direction?

Send them this episode.

Every landscaping project has two sides: the contractor’s obligations and the homeowner’s responsibilities, yet nobody ever talks openly about them.

In this episode, Shay and Zac break down EXACTLY what clients should expect from a professional landscaping company…and what responsibilities homeowners must own if they want the project to succeed.

This episode will save homeowners money, save landscapers headaches, and save everyone a ton of frustration.

We cover:

• What communication from a pro should look like
• How timelines, materials, and change orders should be handled
• The homeowner's responsibilities.
• Why proper maintenance protects your investment
• Mistakes that destroy landscapes faster than poor installation

This is the landscaping conversation people wish existed online, and now it does.

Share this with a client, neighbor, or friend before their next project.

If you own a landscaping or hardscaping business, THIS episode will make you money, or save you from losing it.

Shay and Zac reveal the three estimating mistakes that drain profit, kill job timelines, and stress out both crews and business owners. Whether you’re brand-new or seasoned, tightening up your estimating is the fastest way to increase margin and reduce chaos.

You’ll learn:

1. The Time Trap: Underestimating labor and job length
2. The Material Blind Spot: Hidden costs pros overlook
3. The Training Gap: Why unprepared crews destroy profit

Plus:

• How to build a repeatable estimating process
• What seasoned pros include that rookies miss
• Why clean estimates improve crew morale and client trust

A must-listen for any contractor who wants predictable revenue and smoother operations.

Send this episode to the estimator or foreman on your team.

Most people think changing careers at 35 is terrifying, but Zac did it anyway, and it changed everything.

This solo episode dives deep into Zac’s personal journey from a “safe job” into a physically demanding, meaningful life in landscaping. If you’ve ever felt stuck, bored, or trapped in the wrong job, this episode is going to hit hard.

Inside the episode:

• The moment Zac realized he needed to walk away
• Why comfort can quietly destroy your life
• The emotional and physical reality of switching careers
• Why landscaping is more than mowing grass
• How taking risks opens doors that staying safe never will

This episode will make you rethink what’s possible at any age.

Know someone who’s miserable in their career? Send this to them now.

Most homeowners think landscaping stops when the weather cools down, but that’s precisely when the most costly damage happens.

In this episode, Shay and Zac break down the essential fall and winter landscaping steps every homeowner should be doing to protect their lawn, plants, and outdoor investments. Skip this stuff, and you’re guaranteed to pay for it in spring repairs.

Here’s what we cover:

• The perfect fall fertilization strategy
• How to prevent winter die-off and plant stress
• Proper mowing heights for late-season cuts
• The right way to handle aeration and leaf control
• How to avoid water traps and frost damage
• Why skipping fall maintenance destroys turf health

Whether you’re a DIY homeowner or hiring a pro, this episode gives you the blueprint for a strong spring comeback.

Forward this to a neighbor who always asks, “What should I be doing this time of year?”

Landscaping is a fast-moving industry… but most crews lose hours every week by skipping a straightforward step: The pre-job plan.

In this episode, Shay and Zac break down how “five minutes of strategy” before a job begins can eliminate wasted time, prevent mistakes, and dramatically reduce crew fatigue.

We dive into:

• Why do most crews lose time at the start of each job
• How to create a clear pre-job checklist
• The fastest way to avoid tool swapping, backtracking, and confusion
• How better planning reduces burnout and boosts quality
• Why leaders must model preparation for their teams

If you’re a foreman, business owner, or crew lead, this episode will immediately change how your team works.

Send this episode to your crew group chat before your next job.

It’s Halloween, and Shay and Zac are pulling back the curtain on their top 3 mistakes and biggest lessons from years in the landscaping and hardscaping world.

From close calls to client curveballs, and from unexpected jobsite nightmares to surprising wins, this episode blends humor, storytelling, and hard-earned insights that every contractor will relate to.

Inside the episode:

• The “tricks” that experienced pros use every day
• On-the-job surprises that nearly derailed projects
• Why precision matters more than speed in hardscaping
• How crews recover from unexpected problems
• What truly separates amateurs from professionals

It’s equal parts entertaining and educational, the perfect mix for a holiday special.

Share this with a landscaper who loves a good war story.

Most landscaping companies only hire “experienced landscapers”, and that’s why most companies stay average.

In this episode, Shay explains why Landscaping Unlimited intentionally recruits people from retail, trades, military, athletics, and service industries, and why they often outperform applicants with years of landscaping background.

You’ll learn:

• The character traits that matter more than experience
• Why good workers from other industries transition so well
• What seasoned landscapers often struggle to unlearn
• How to spot strong hires FAST during interviews
• Why a willingness to learn beats years of bad habits

If you manage a crew or run a business, this is a must-listen.

Send this to someone thinking about applying to a landscaping company.

In this episode of The Landscaping Unlimited Podcast, Shay Brickhouse and Zac Small return from EQUIP EXPO 2025 with fresh insights and tangible + intangible takeaways that will push your business and mindset to the next level.

Shay dives into the leadership and business lessons that stood out most, from company culture to the importance of vision-driven direction...

Zac focuses on the storytelling and networking side of the trip, highlighting how connection and authenticity can open doors for growth far beyond the job site.

Whether you were there in Louisville or watching from afar, this recap breaks down what matters most, which is how to turn inspiration into action, relationships into opportunity, and ideas into impact.

Tune in to hear:

• What EQUIP 2025 revealed about the green industry
• Why storytelling and social media matter for landscapers
• How leadership lessons translate from the stage to the crew
• The behind-the-scenes moments that made this trip unforgettable

This is more than a recap; it’s the roadmap for what’s next at Landscaping Unlimited.

Landscaping isn’t a fallback job; it’s a legitimate career path that builds discipline, confidence, financial freedom, and lifelong skills.

In this episode, Shay shares the journey from mowing lawns as a teen to becoming a licensed contractor, irrigation specialist, pesticide applicator, and business owner.

What we dive into:

• Why landscaping should be viewed as a skilled trade
• The certifications that elevate your earning potential
• The mindset shift young workers need to hear
• The real career ladder inside the green industry
• How professionalism sets you apart immediately

If you’re a young worker, a parent, or someone considering the trades, this episode will open your eyes to what landscaping really offers.

Share with a teen or young adult choosing a career path.