Our 1st Official Dirt Talk Podcast Sponsor!
"You NEED to start a podcast" — Dan Briscoe, said about 934 times between 2018 and 2019
I always responded that I didn't have time for a podcast, but the truth was that I was afraid to plunge into the unknown.
To me, writing is an "easy" form of communication. I can take my time, filter my thoughts, and revisit my work for days or weeks before it floats into the world.
But a podcast was scary… HOURS of unfiltered words from yours truly. Oof.
And then 2020 happened. No more playing it safe — we had to send it across the board. I ordered podcast gear off the internet, set it up in my studio (apartment), and began texting friends, asking if they'd like to podcast.
They'd usually reply, "What's a podcast?" A good question.
Today, we're over four years and hundreds of episodes into the world of podcasting, which we've officially coined the Dirt Talk Podcast, not to be confused with Dirty Talk (a different genre).
Had I known the role it would play in helping us make the Dirt World better and grow our business, I would've started it the moment Dan suggested. I often forget that people listen to it, but it's spectacular how widespread across the industry it is today.
As you can imagine, podcasting isn't only time-consuming, it's expensive. We've invested ~$100K annually into the production, with no immediate return. And that's not including the mountain of time our gracious guests offer us nowadays.
Even with the financial pressure from the past few years, I've staved off the flocks of sponsors, from bungee cords to manscaping products, who have inquired about advertising on Dirt Talk to keep it simple and pure.
Until now…
Our conversations with Ariat began formally over a year ago, with nothing more than the intent to learn how we could help one another. Starting with a trip to La Gran Bota as a neophyte construction worker, I've religiously worn their boots on every project I've visited on five continents and have come to love their workwear, too.
After their successful sponsorship of last year's Ariat Dirt World Summit, the conversation grew to what else we could help one another with.
One, two, six—we've now got them onboard to sponsor Dirt Talk for the next year, and I couldn't be happier about it!
With that, thanks to those who listen to the Dirt Talk Podcast and Ariat for the incredible support.
For those looking for 10% off Ariat's entire product line, you can visit the link below.
And if you have yet to listen to the Dirt Talk Podcast, you can find every episode on Apple, Spotify, and Google podcasts!
Ariat Dirt Talk
Dirt Talk Podcast
If you have listened to Dirt Talk for a while, you might know that Kimo, owner of Truth Excavation, is a bit of a regular at this point. Kimo has joined Aaron twice in-studio and, in this episode, joined him via satellite internet video call in an unfinished office as a result of the reconstruction of Lahaina and its infrastructure. In this episode, Kimo breaks down the 2023 Lahaina fires, which devastated the community and affected him and Truth Excavation personally last august. He gave his honest perspective and broke down what he saw daily as it unfolded. Truth being one of few excavation companies on the island of Maui and the only directly based out of Lahaina was and still is on the frontlines everyday.
As the fire still blazed Kimo and his crew worked tirelessly to bring their water trucks and dozers wherever they were needed to snuff out flames and cut fire breaks. Now they work long hours in harsh conditions to help restore the community and infrastructure of Lahaina.
Although Kimo may be too humble to agree, he is a hero in his community and continues to be a legend in the dirt world. Big thanks to him for taking the time to talk to us via one of the most peculiar recording setups in Dirt Talk history.
Vlog
Meet Jimmy Starbuck, a man who "digs holes and carts dirt."
Specifically, he owns Starbuck Excavation and Trucking, a Melbourne-based excavation company specializing in complex basement excavation projects.
I'm ALWAYS sure to visit Jimmy when I'm down under, so he was naturally our first visit on our latest trip. During this visit, we saw his team first working on a high-dollar residential basement excavation alongside an existing home.Once complete, it will be an underground garage and entertainment area.
Then, before finishing with late-morning coffee, we checked out a nearby commercial basement for parking below a future apartment complex.
I'll see you next month! Don’t miss out!!
