You Can't Make This Sh!t Up

You Can't Make This Sh!t Up

By Josh Roberts & Tim TannertBusinessEntrepreneurshipCareers
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You Can't Make This Sh!t Up episodes

  • Fired Six Times From The Same Dealership — with Benny Fisher

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    Join hosts Tim Tannert, CEO of BetterRx and Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they sit down with visionary entrepreneur Benny Fisher for one of the most unfiltered stories yet.

    From being fired six times from the same dealership to getting raided by police and hit with two felonies, Benny’s journey has been anything but straight. He opens up about hitting rock bottom—living out of his car, overdosing on fentanyl, and nearly losing it all—only to rebuild from the ground up as the founder of Big Fish Contracting, one of Pittsburgh’s fastest-growing roofing companies.

    Benny shares how knocking on doors led to his first million in sales, what it felt like to sell his business after nearly a decade, and why losing his younger brother to a drug-related shooting became the catalyst for him to share his story more openly. Along the way, he reflects on EOS, leadership, addiction, faith, and what it truly means to build a life worth living.

    If you’ve ever doubted whether redemption is possible—or just want to hear how a fired car salesman turned felonies into five-star reviews—you won’t want to miss this one.

    📚 Books & Resources Mentioned
    Rocket Fuel — Gino Wickman & Mark C. Winters
    Traction — Gino Wickman
    The EOS Life — Gino Wickman
    Shine — Gino Wickman & Rob Dube
    Miracle Morning — Hal Elrod

    👉 Listen in for stories about overdoses, golf course phone calls that change everything, and how Benny went from a $1,200 debt to selling a multimillion-dollar company.

    1 hr 12 min
  • My Son Called Me Out for Bad Leadership — with David McGlennen

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    Join hosts Tim Tannert, CEO of BetterRX and Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they dive into the wins, failures, and the crazy leadership stories you truly can’t make up.

    This week’s guest, David McGlennen, CEO culture expert and executive coach, brings over three decades of experience in the insurance and wellness industries before launching Impact Leadership Consulting. David works with leadership teams to design intentional cultures that actually get lived out—not just framed on a wall.

    From getting fired 10 months into a new city with a family of seven, to hiring his own son as his bookkeeper (and getting called out for overspending), David shares candid stories about vulnerability, accountability, and growth. He also talks about why CEOs have to become teachers of their values, how to have the tough conversations leaders often avoid, and what it means to build a family culture at work without the unhealthy baggage.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to hold people accountable to values, or what it feels like when your kid calls out your leadership flaws—it’s all here.

    📚 Books & References Mentioned
    Never Split the Difference — Chris Voss
    Intentional Living — John Maxwell
    Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance — Bob Buford

    👉 Tune in for stories about fired CEOs, family feuds over budgets, and why being vulnerable might be the most powerful leadership move you’ll ever make.

    1 hr 5 min
  • My Robot Caught Fire... They Bought It Anyway — with Rich Lunak

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, CEO of BetterRx and Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they dig into the wins, failures, and wild stories from leaders who’ve lived them.

    This episode features Rich Lunak — entrepreneur, investor, and former Group President at McKesson Corporation. From building robots in a two-bedroom apartment to selling his startup to a Fortune 50 company, to mentoring the next generation of founders through Innovation Works, Rich has seen it all.

    Rich shares how wearing “every hat” as a young founder shaped his leadership, what it takes to avoid common traps in scaling a business, and why job security is about building marketable skills—not the logo on your paycheck. He also opens up about hilarious demo-day disasters (including a prototype that literally smoked mid-pitch), the hard lessons of hiring the wrong leaders, and his perspective on AI’s disruptive future.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to grow from scrappy founder to seasoned CEO—or just need to hear a story about how a smoking robot still landed a major deal—this one’s for you.

    📚 Books Mentioned
    The Lean Startup — Eric Ries
    The Four Steps to the Epiphany — Steve Blank
    Steve Jobs — Walter Isaacson
    Elon Musk — Walter Isaacson
    The Everything Store — Brad Stone
    Shoe Dog — Phil Knight
    Einstein: His Life and Universe — Walter Isaacson
    The Wright Brothers — David McCullough

    👉 Listen now and subscribe for more stories you truly can’t make up.

    58 min
  • From Drug Dealer to Strong Leader — with Doug Smith

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders. 

    Each episode of the You Can’t Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey. 

    This episode, Doug Smith, Assistant Executive Director of Light of Life Rescue Mission and founder of L3 Leadership, shares his inspiring journey from a troubled past to becoming a passionate leader and mentor. 

    Thanks for joining us for Season 3! Stay tuned for more stories and leadership insights in future episodes.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
    01:12 Doug's Background and Career at Light of Life
    01:56 Leadership Development and Personal Transformation
    02:47 Family Life and Podcasting Journey
    03:52 Podcasting Tips and Consistency
    06:05 Overcoming Insecurities in Interviewing
    07:04 Doug's Origin Story and Turning Point
    15:45 Mentorship and Its Impact
    30:27 Daily Routines and Systems for Success
    37:37 Impact of Light of Life and Final Thoughts
    39:50 Heartfelt Stories of Transformation
    41:54 Faith's Role in Recovery
    43:24 From Client to Staff: Hutch's Journey
    45:49 The Power of Mentorship and Community
    46:27 Leadership and Vulnerability
    51:02 Personal Struggles and Therapy
    55:57 Balancing Life's Demands
    57:45 Reflecting on Leadership and Future Goals
    01:05:30 Overcoming Dyslexia and Negative Labels
    01:18:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    1 hr 19 min
  • Hired by Microsoft at 13 — with Bob Stein

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    Join hosts Tim Tannert and Josh Roberts as they welcome Bob Stein, Executive Director and Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, to the 'You Can't Make This Shit Up' podcast. 

    In this episode, Bob shares his remarkable journey from running a gaming community at 13 to being hired by Microsoft. He discusses leadership lessons, the importance of perseverance, and the challenges faced by family-owned businesses. 

    Listen in as Bob talks about his passion for supporting entrepreneurs, organizing impactful events, and his impressive 950-day running streak that exemplifies his dedication and grit. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and leadership insights.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
    01:04 Bob Stein's Background and Early Career
    01:49 Transition to University of Pittsburgh
    03:12 Entrepreneurial Journey and Family Influence
    06:22 Steel City Con and Entrepreneurial Ventures
    07:43 Supporting Entrepreneurs at University of Pittsburgh
    09:29 Challenges and Trends in Business
    23:47 Leadership and Mentorship Insights
    24:55 Running and Personal Discipline
    32:34 Navigating Mentorship and Personal Growth
    33:27 The Role of Scouting in Leadership Development
    36:38 Family Business Dynamics and Challenges
    42:16 Event Planning and Speaker Selection
    48:44 The Resilience of Entrepreneurs
    57:44 Supporting Local Businesses
    58:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1 hr 2 min
  • I Had to Fire My Wife — with Greg Furer

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    Join our hosts, Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders. 

    Each episode of the You Can't Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey. 

    This episode, Greg Furer, CEO of Beratung Advisors, shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting challenges in hiring, the importance of casting a clear vision, and the transformational impact of the EOS system both in business and personal life. 

    Thanks for joining us for Season 3! Stay tuned for more stories and leadership insights in future episodes.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    01:29 Greg's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey
    05:17 Lessons in Leadership and Hiring
    11:08 The Importance of Company Culture
    15:24 Challenges and Realities of Hiring
    26:09 Vision Casting and Employee Engagement
    27:40 Family Road Trip Chaos
    28:14 Motivating the Team
    29:42 The Power of Vision
    31:22 Implementing EOS
    34:48 Personal and Professional Integration
    51:10 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

    54 min
  • My Tenant Sold Drugs & Raised Exotic Animals — with Will Host

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders.

    Each episode of the You Can’t Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey.

    This episode, Will Host shared some unforgettable landlord horror stories and the key lessons he learned while handling difficult situations.

    Thanks for joining us for Season 2! Stay tuned for more stories and leadership insights in future episodes.

    57 min
  • I got the Leadership Role...Then Googled What to Do — with Thomas Bloom

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders.

    Each episode of the You Can’t Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey.

    This episode, we talked to Thomas Bloom, who shared his journey of stepping into leadership for the first time. From navigating day-one nerves to embracing authenticity, Thomas’s candid stories highlight the ups and downs of building trust and leading with confidence.

    Thanks for joining us for Season 2! Stay tuned for future season releases. 

    53 min
  • Hijacked By Pirates — with Pallavi Golla

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders.

    Each episode of the You Can’t Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey.

    This episode, we talked to Pallavi Golla, founder of Lark Adventurewear, who shared an unbelievable story of her shipment being hijacked by pirates. From navigating this high-stakes crisis to the valuable lessons she learned about empathy, Pallavi’s journey will have you on the edge of your seat and ready to tackle your next big challenge.

    Thanks for joining us for Season 2! Stay tuned for future season releases.

    51 min
  • Almost Fired Over a Fake Scandal — with Matt Caiazza

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    Join our hosts Tim Tannert, Certified EOS Implementer, and Josh Roberts, CEO of USA Talent Solutions, as they celebrate the wins and, more hilariously, the failures we’ve made as leaders.

    Each episode of the You Can’t Make This Shit Up Podcast, we’ll be interviewing successful, inspiring leaders about some of the people issues they have faced, and what they’ve learned in their leadership journey.

    This episode, we talked to Matt Caiazza, who shared an outrageous story about how a fake scandal nearly cost him his job. From navigating office drama to handling miscommunication, Matt’s journey offers a mix of humor, shock, and invaluable lessons on maintaining trust and transparency as a leader.

    Thanks for joining us for Season 2! Stay tuned for future season releases.

    53 min

About You Can't Make This Sh!t Up

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