The TC Cook Show

Join me as I discuss all things Data Centers with The Punk Rock Farmer

In this episode of The TC Cook Show, TC sits down with entrepreneur and growth strategist Chris Hwang, a founder who helped build a bootstrapped startup that sold for $200 million. After experiencing the full journey—from early grind to successful exit—Chris now works with startups and founders to help them scale wisely, expand into new markets, and avoid the costly mistakes that stall growth.

Based in the Nashville metropolitan area, Chris brings real-world, founder-tested insight to the conversation. This is not theory or hype—this is the practical playbook of what actually works when you’re building something from nothing and trying to grow it into something that lasts.

If you’re a founder, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or visionary trying to navigate growth, this episode is packed with clarity, hard-earned wisdom, and strategic perspective.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How a bootstrapped startup can scale to a nine-figure exit

• The mindset shift founders must make to move from survival to expansion

• How to enter new markets without burning capital or momentum

• Common growth traps that quietly kill promising startups

• What Chris looks for when advising founders on their next stage

Connect with Chris Hwang:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishwang

Sponsored By:

• Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:
If you want to understand what it really takes to grow, scale, and exit a company without losing your soul—or your mission—this conversation delivers. Chris Hwang brings the kind of perspective you only get by building, breaking, learning, and building again. This episode is for anyone who wants to do it right the first time.

Marcus Pittman is a filmmaker, producer, and media entrepreneur who is helping reshape the landscape of faith-based entertainment. Formerly a key creative voice at Angel Studios, Marcus now serves as the CEO and founder of LOOR.TV, a creator-first streaming platform built to empower independent storytellers and disrupt the traditional Hollywood model.

In this conversation, Marcus shares the story behind LOOR.TV, what he learned while helping launch groundbreaking projects at Angel Studios, and why the future of Christian and values-driven media depends on bold creators, innovative distribution, and audiences willing to support stories that matter. From crowdfunding to creator ownership, this episode pulls back the curtain on how new platforms are opening doors for filmmakers who want both creative freedom and cultural impact.

This is a must-watch episode for creators, church leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about the future of faith, film, and media.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Marcus left Angel Studios to build LOOR.TV

• How creator-owned platforms are changing the entertainment industry

• The biggest challenges facing Christian and independent filmmakers today

• What churches and ministries can learn from modern media distribution

• How audiences can support meaningful stories without Hollywood gatekeepers

Connect with Marcus Pittman:

• LOOR.TV: https://loor.tv

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcuspittman

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/marcuspittman

Sponsored By:

• Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:
The future of Christian media won’t be built by waiting for permission. It will be built by creators who step out, take risks, and invite others to build with them. This episode will challenge how you think about storytelling, platforms, and the role of faith-driven creativity in shaping culture.

In this episode of The TC Cook Show, TC sits down with Aaron Youngren, Head of Product at RedBalloon.work and author of Undiscovered: Adventure, Conquest, and the Search for Great Products. Aaron brings years of experience building teams, launching products, and challenging the assumptions that dominate modern hiring culture.At RedBalloon, Aaron helps companies that value faith, freedom, and integrity connect with workers who share those convictions—at a time when many employers feel forced to compromise their values just to survive. His work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, and cultural clarity.

This conversation explores what it means to build excellent products, create healthy workplace cultures, and pursue meaningful work without surrendering conviction. Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or someone navigating today’s job market, Aaron offers insight that is both practical and deeply grounded.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why culture-first hiring is becoming essential, not optionalHow RedBalloon is reshaping the job market for values-driven organizationsLessons from building and evaluating great products that actually lastWhy courage and clarity matter more than credentials in leadershipHow conviction-based work can thrive in a hostile cultural environment

Connect with Aaron Youngren:

RedBalloon: https://redballoon.work

Book — Undiscovered: Adventure, Conquest, and the Search for Great Products: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D55B15WQ

Undiscovered Newsletter: https://undiscoveredgood.substack.com

Sponsored By

:Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:This episode is for leaders who refuse to separate values from vocation. Aaron Youngren brings clarity, experience, and conviction to a conversation every employer and worker needs to hear. If you care about building something that lasts—and doing it with integrity—this is an episode worth your time.

In this episode of The TC Cook Show, TC sits down with Stuart Amidon, founder of Page 50, live at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference.

Stuart is a storyteller, strategist, and cultural thinker committed to building Christian media that is thoughtful, excellent, and durable. At Page 50, he helps creators and organizations move beyond short-term trends and instead craft work that lasts—stories that shape worldview, strengthen faith, and engage culture without compromise.

This conversation explores why story matters, how Christians can think more clearly about media and influence, and what it takes to build projects that don’t just react to the moment—but stand the test of time.

• Why storytelling is foundational to shaping culture and faith

• The difference between chasing attention and building lasting influence

• How Christian creators can pursue excellence without losing conviction

• What Page 50 is building—and why long-form thinking matters now more than ever

• Page 50: https://page50.co

• Dominion Wealth Strategists – https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage – https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery – https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

If you care about Christian media, storytelling, and building work that actually lasts, this conversation will challenge the way you think about influence, culture, and calling. Stuart brings clarity, depth, and vision—making this a must-watch episode for creators, leaders, and thinkers alike.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Connect with Stuart Amidon:Sponsored By:Why Watch:

Greg Moore is a real estate professional with Covenant Real Estate and the voice behind The Dead Man Talking Podcast. In this episode, Greg joins TC Cook for an honest conversation about faith, work, mortality, and what it means to live with eternal perspective in everyday life. Drawing from his experience in business and podcasting, Greg shares how the gospel shapes his decisions, his leadership, and the way he engages culture without compromise.

This episode isn’t about branding faith—it’s about living it, even when it costs you something.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How faith informs business ethics and leadership

• Why conversations about death, truth, and eternity matter right now

• The heart behind The Dead Man Talking Podcast

• What it looks like to live boldly and honestly as a Christian in the public square

Connect with Greg Moore:

• Covenant Real Estate

• The Dead Man Talking Podcast

Sponsored By:

• Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:
If you’re tired of surface-level conversations and want to hear real talk about faith, work, and eternal purpose, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think deeper—and live clearer.

In this episode of The TC Cook Show, TC sits down with Matt Patrick—lead pastor of The Well Church in Boulder, Colorado, church planter, communicator, and business coach. This conversation explores pastoral leadership, discipleship, cultural engagement, and how Christians can faithfully lead in both ministry and the marketplace.

Matt brings a unique combination of theological clarity, pastoral experience, and practical leadership insights drawn from years of church planting, coaching leaders, and engaging culture with biblical conviction.

About Matt Patrick

Lead Pastor, The Well Church (Boulder, CO)Matt serves as the primary teaching and vision pastor for The Well, a gospel-centered congregation committed to biblical teaching, community, and cultural engagement.

Church Planter and Ministry Leader

Before planting The Well, Matt participated in a mountain-town church replant and has spent years developing leaders, structuring ministry systems, and equipping believers to live faithfully in a challenging cultural landscape.

Communicator, Christian Thinker, and Content CreatorMatt produces teaching, cultural commentary, and theological content across multiple platforms, including The Connectionalist.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Matt’s journey into pastoral ministry and church planting in

Boulder.Why biblical literacy and cultural engagement must go hand-in-hand.

How Christians can maintain clarity and conviction in a confused culture.

What leadership principles Matt teaches in both ministry and business settings.

Practical steps for integrating Scripture into everyday decisions.

Connect with Matt Patrick

The Well Church: https://boulderwell.org

X/Twitter: https://x.com/mattpat1

The Connectionalist content and additional teaching available through his social platforms.

Sponsored ByDominion Wealth Strategistshttps://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/Raber Storagehttps://www.raberstoragebarns.com/Zax Creameryhttps://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch

If you are a pastor, leader, business owner, or someone seeking to understand how to apply Scripture faithfully in every area of life, this conversation will equip you with practical, grounded, biblically anchored insight from one of today’s most thoughtful church leaders.

In this episode of The TC Cook Show, recorded live at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference, TC sits down with David Shannon, better known as Chocolate Knox — co-founder of the Fight Laugh Feast Network and host of CrossPolitic. Known for his bold and humorous approach to faith and culture, Knox unpacks how Christians can engage the public square with both conviction and joy.From filmmaking (Wield the Sword) to podcasting, he’s challenging believers to think biblically, laugh heartily, and fight courageously for truth in an age of compromise.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How the Fight Laugh Feast vision equips Christians to shape culture, not retreat from it

Knox’s creative approach to addressing hard truths with humor and hope

Insights into Wield the Sword and the role of storytelling in modern apologetics

Why courage and community are essential for today’s church

Behind-the-scenes look at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference and its impact

Connect with Chocolate Knox:

FightLaughFeast.com

CrossPolitic Podcast

Founders Ministries – Wield the Sword

Sponsored By:Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:This conversation is equal parts laughter and conviction — a reminder that truth can be powerful and joyful. Whether you’re a pastor, creator, or everyday believer navigating cultural chaos, Knox’s unapologetic blend of humor and theology will inspire you to wield your faith boldly.

Larry W. Carpenter III is a serial entrepreneur and real estate leader from Jasper, Indiana, whose business journey began when he bought his first rental property at just 18 years old. Since then, Larry has grown Carpenter Rentals into a portfolio of over 400 units and launched Carpenter Realty, where he serves as Owner and Managing Broker. Recognized as “Best Real Estate Agent of Dubois County, 2024,” Larry’s story is one of grit, vision, and relentless drive. His entrepreneurial spirit stretches across multiple ventures, making him one of southern Indiana’s most dynamic business owners.

In this episode, Larry shares how he built his businesses from the ground up, the lessons he’s learned as a leader, and why building community is just as important as building wealth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Larry started his first business while still in high school

• The strategies that helped him scale from 1 property to 400+

• Lessons on leadership, risk, and building trust in business

• Why faith and community are central to his entrepreneurial journey

Connect with Larry Carpenter III:

• Carpenter Realty

Sponsored By:

• Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business or scaling an idea into a thriving enterprise, Larry’s story will inspire you to take bold steps forward. Tune in for a powerful conversation about vision, perseverance, and building something that lasts.

On this episode of The TC Cook Show, TC sits down with Zach Graber, owner of Zax Creamery, to talk about the heart behind his business and how a local creamery can bring people together. Zach shares his journey as an entrepreneur, the vision that drives his shop, and how faith and community values shape the way he serves his customers. This conversation is packed with encouragement for anyone pursuing business with purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Zach turned his vision for Zax Creamery into reality

• Why community impact matters as much as good ice cream

• The role of faith and perseverance in entrepreneurship

Connect with Zax Creamery:

• Zax Creamery Website

Sponsored By:

• Dominion Wealth Strategists: https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.com/

• Raber Storage: https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

• Zax Creamery: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/

Why Watch:
If you’ve ever wondered how small businesses can fuel big change in their communities, this episode will inspire you. Zach’s story is a reminder that vision, hard work, and faith can sweeten more than just dessert—they can sweeten lives.