Episodios

  • 16: Allen Heggs - DJing, Body Batteries & Building Legacies

    16: Allen Heggs - DJing, Body Batteries & Building Legacies
    May 21 2025
    In this laugh-out-loud episode of Irregardless, host Shep Hickey sits down with Allen Heggs, second-generation owner of Helcrist LLC, a family-run steel fabrication and erection company based in Philadelphia, PA. From residential and commercial builds to hotels, schools, and pharmaceutical projects, Helcrist’s legacy runs deep—and Allen is already preparing the next generation to carry it even further.
    But Allen’s journey didn’t start with beams and blueprints. He shares hilarious and heartfelt stories from his early entrepreneurial days—selling candy, DJing parties at just 14, and skipping the traditional college path to dive straight into the real world. His take on “failing fast” and finding your true path—whether that’s through steel, music, or raising kids—is both inspiring and genuinely funny.
    He and Shep also dive into how Bryzos fits into Allen’s workflow today, and reflect on what it takes to follow a dream—like when Shep first stepped out to build Bryzos from scratch. It’s a conversation about hustle, legacy, and having the guts to build something that matters.
    Expect big laughs, real talk about parenthood and unconventional paths, and a Garmin Body Battery story so ridiculous that Shep and Allen could barely keep it together—and asked ourselves, what happens when it does get to zero?
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    1 h y 27 m
  • 15: Eric Gilbert - ANOVA, Authority & the Art of Leading Well

    15: Eric Gilbert - ANOVA, Authority & the Art of Leading Well
    May 14 2025
    This week on Irregardless, Shep sits down with Eric Gilbert, CEO of ANOVA Furnishings — a St. Louis-based company known for crafting commercial-grade outdoor site furnishings like benches, tables, and receptacles. As a second-generation leader, Eric shares what it’s been like taking the reins from his father and steering the business into its next chapter.
    The two dive into everything from entrepreneurship at a young age to the power of teamwork, leadership, and evolving a legacy brand in a modern world. Eric reflects on what’s driving ANOVA forward, how he’s strengthened operations, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. He also shares his perspective on emerging technologies like AI and the role they could play in the future of manufacturing.
    As a longtime supporter and early believer in Bryzos, Eric’s seen the journey up close — and it shows in the honesty and depth of this conversation. One highlight? Shep asks him the simple yet profound question: “What is a business?” — setting the stage for one of the most thoughtful exchanges we’ve had yet.
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    1 h y 22 m
  • 14: Joe Tierney - Drums, Data & Doing It All

    14: Joe Tierney - Drums, Data & Doing It All
    May 7 2025
    In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with the one and only Joe Tierney—a Broadcast and I.T. Specialist who wears more hats than most people own. If you’ve seen our Cracking the Code mini-series, you’ve already seen Joe’s work. He was the quiet force behind the scene, helping to capture the Bryzos team with clarity, creativity, and authenticity. But this time, we’re flipping the script and bringing Joe in front of the lens to hear his story.
    Joe’s talents run deep. By day, he works in live sports broadcasting as a technical director, builds motion graphics and animations, manages Apple systems, and keeps data flowing. By night (and sometimes on tour), he’s a drummer, a hands-on car guy, and a dad. Joe also has a deep appreciation for mathematics, an evolving curiosity about A.I., and a uniquely thoughtful approach to problem-solving—something he and Shep explore in depth during this episode.
    Together, they talk about the intersection of creativity and technology, the challenges of juggling so many roles, and the ways Joe stays curious and adaptable in a fast-changing world. Most importantly, Joe shares his outside-in perspective on Bryzos—what makes the platform different, what stood out to him while working on Cracking the Code, and why he believes it’s solving real problems in an industry that’s long overdue for change.
    Whether you’re into sports, tech, music, or just love hearing how smart people think, this episode offers a refreshing and human take on the power of versatility and innovation.
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    42 m
  • 13: Jeff Hasty - K9s, Construction & the Power of the Mind

    13: Jeff Hasty - K9s, Construction & the Power of the Mind
    Apr 30 2025
    From the bite suit to the welding mask—Jeff Hasty’s career path is anything but ordinary.
    Jeff was raised around welding and pipe fitting, following his dad's career from state to state. As one of the best welders Jeff’s ever known, his dad gave him an early look into the world he’d eventually return to. Initially, Jeff was pulled toward law enforcement after a Ride-Along sparked a new passion. He built a rewarding career as a police officer and K9 handler in California, suiting up in the bite suit and training alongside his four-legged partner.
    When life forced a pivot, Jeff returned to his industrial roots, moving to Illinois to work on power plants—where he stepped into his first leadership role as a superintendent. That experience eventually led him Gross Mechanical, where he now serves as COO of the largest pipe fabrication facility in the area.
    When he’s not leading teams at Gross Mechanical, Jeff puts his skills as a Certified Hypnotist to work—helping clients through hypnotherapy.
    Tune in for a conversation about pivots, leadership, and the unique life experiences that shape our industry.
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    1 h y 16 m
  • 12: Ep. 12 - Dennis Arrowood

    12: Ep. 12 - Dennis Arrowood
    Apr 23 2025
    Dennis Arrowood, a 28-year veteran of the metals industry and Sales Operations Specialist at Ryerson, joins Shep for a conversation that spans tanks, transitions, and technology. From his early days driving armored vehicles in the U.S. Army to nearly three decades in steel, Dennis brings a unique perspective on structure, discipline, and getting things done.
    Inside Ryerson, Dennis carved out a career by navigating both the contract and transactional sides of buying. He breaks down the key differences between the two and what it took to make the leap into sales—offering insight into how the metals industry operates behind the scenes.
    But it’s Bryzos that’s redefining how Dennis works today. What used to take him an hour or more now takes just minutes. For someone who knows the grind of manual ordering, the time saved is transformational. Dennis doesn’t hold back, saying Bryzos has truly “nailed it” when it comes to streamlining the buying process.
    Whether you’re in sales, operations, or just curious about how innovation is reshaping old-school industries, this one’s worth the listen.
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    1 h y 25 m
  • 11: Ep. 11 - Dr. Dave King

    11: Ep. 11 - Dr. Dave King
    Apr 16 2025
    In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Dr. Dave King, a leading orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, for a deep dive into the high-performance world of sports injuries and surgical innovation. From his days in med school to the intense realities of the OR, Dr. King shares how mental focus, teamwork, and technology collide when treating athletes on and off the field.
    They explore what it’s like to work with professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, the evolution of sports-related surgeries, and how robotics and AI are transforming both patient outcomes and the future of medicine. Dr. King also reflects on the contrasting experiences of studying at Emerson vs. WashU, and what it takes to stay sharp—whether you’re leading a surgery or jamming with your band, Manship.
    This one’s for the athletes, the tech nerds, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to repair the human body under pressure.
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    1 h y 15 m
  • 10: Ep. 10 - Garret Armstrong (NASCC Edition)

    10: Ep. 10 - Garret Armstrong (NASCC Edition)
    Apr 9 2025
    In this special mini episode recorded live at the 2025 NASCC Steel Conference, we switch things up with a quick, on-the-ground conversation between Bryzos’ own Lee Letourneau and Garret Armstrong, Project Manager and Estimator at Metal Pros LLC in Wichita, KS—and an active Bryzos member.
    Garret shares his experience attending NASCC, including what sessions stood out, what he’s taking back to his team, and why the event is such a valuable space for professionals in the steel and metals world. He also talks about how he got started on Bryzos, how the platform has helped him secure more jobs, and what he’s most excited about in the upcoming version of the app—and how it’ll support both buyers and sellers alike.
    It’s a fast-paced, insightful snapshot from the floor of one of the industry’s biggest events. Whether you’re in metals, manufacturing, or just love hearing from people doing real work in the field, this episode’s for you.
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    7 m
  • 9: Ep. 9 - Sean Bailey

    9: Ep. 9 - Sean Bailey
    Mar 28 2025
    This week on Irregardless, Shep Hickey sits down with Sean Bailey, Territory Sales Manager at Smokiez Edibles, for a conversation that spans from cannabis to the Chilean mountains. Sean gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Missouri’s evolving cannabis industry—how the shift from medicinal to recreational use reshaped his career and opened up new opportunities.
    But that’s just the beginning. Sean dives into his time with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), where he spent six months living off the land in Patagonia, Chile. From survival skills and leadership to the Leave-No-Trace philosophy, Sean shares what it really means to thrive in the wild—plus a few hilarious stories and the most intense challenge his group faced in the mountains.
    He also reflects on how returning home after such a life-changing experience shaped his worldview—and how his path as an Eagle Scout helped prepare him for it all.
    Tune in for a conversation full of grit, growth, and the kind of leadership that only comes from life off the beaten path.
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    1 h y 20 m
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