POWERS

Latest Episodes:

#402 - Moses Kagan & Rhett Bennett - ReSeed Partners: Backing the Next Generation of Elite Real Estate Operators Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Today I sit down with two of my best friends, Moses Kagan and Rhett Bennett to reflect on how ReSeed has evolved since their first appearance (ep. 278) on the show three years ago.

ReSeed is on a mission to back the next generation of elite real estate operators.

We unpacked what has actually happened since launch, how their original vision has held up in practice, and what they have learned by deploying real capital across multiple markets and operators.

We also dug into how they think about underwriting, operator selection, asset management intensity, and navigating a shifting multifamily landscape. It was a candid look at what it really takes to build a disciplined, long term real estate platform in today’s market.

We discuss:

• How ReSeed’s original thesis has played out after deploying over $100M across multiple operators

• What they look for in emerging operators and how the cohort selection process has evolved

• Why discipline and patience mattered during a slow deal environment and when opportunities finally opened up

• How they approach underwriting, leverage, and long-duration capital in different markets

• The realities of asset management, property management, and execution risk at smaller deal sizes

This episode is for investors, operators, and anyone interested in building durable real estate businesses with long term alignment and disciplined capital deployment.

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:01) - ReSeed's journey and evolution
(00:17:14) - Profile and selection of operators
(00:25:10) - Partnership and capital structure
(00:37:39) - Due diligence and deal approval process
(00:40:51) - Cohort integration and support
(00:42:55) - Real estate market overview
(00:43:22) - Market opportunities and challenges
(00:50:41) - Market fatigue and seller dynamics
(00:51:20) - Operational challenges and opportunities
(01:01:50) - Property management and asset management
(01:11:36) - Construction management and budgeting
(01:15:06) - Capital allocation
(01:23:34) - Closing remarks

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#401 - Ryan Heath - The Family Office 2.0: How Great Families Grow & Protect Their Legacy Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Heath, Founder of Trustpoint Legal, to explore what a modern “Family Office 2.0” actually looks like and why the old models are falling short. We talk about how family offices are evolving from static wealth preservation vehicles into operating businesses built around people, purpose, and multi-generational decision making. Ryan shares lessons from working closely with families navigating liquidity events, succession, and generational transitions, and why flexibility and intentional design matter more than rigid structures. The conversation centers on treating the family office as a living organization, not just a collection of legal documents.

Many can relate to putting in strategic plans for their businesses, their health, etc. What’s funny is we often don’t put the same planning into what’s most important to us - our family.

Ryan is on a mission to help families change that.

We discuss:

What defines a Family Office 2.0 and how it differs from traditional family office models
Why legacy, values, and human dynamics drive long-term outcomes more than tax efficiency
How flexible mandates help families adapt as generations, priorities, and circumstances change
The risks of poor communication and rushed planning during liquidity events or succession
How intentional family meetings and shared mission statements strengthen multi-generational alignment

This episode is especially valuable for founders and families rethinking how to structure wealth, leadership, and legacy in a way that actually works across generations.

Links:

Ryan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheath1/

TrustPoint Legal - https://www.trustpointlegal.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:05:11) - Legacy over wealth
(00:09:04) - Flexibility in estate planning
(00:18:25) - The importance of transparency
(00:27:22) - Handling family conflicts
(00:42:00) - Proactive planning and transparency
(00:52:15) - The silver tsunami and trusts for grandchildren
(00:54:28) - Ruling from the grave
(00:57:49) - Trustees and their roles
(01:01:38) - Understanding family offices
(01:06:39) - The three pillars of a family office
(01:09:21) - The complexities of 678 trusts
(01:12:40) - Family limited partnerships explained
(01:15:13) - The importance of succession planning
(01:22:52) - Coordinating family meetings
(01:30:33) - The perfect family office: a case study
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#400 - Steve Gatena - Co-Founder & CEO @ Pray.com - God, A Revival, Rescuing Lost Men, & Building A Generational Company Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Today, I sit down with Steve Gatena, Co-Founder & CEO of PRAY, for a conversation about faith, leadership, and building a company with long-term purpose. Steve shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles and playing college football at USC to founding Pray.com and thinking deeply about stewardship, culture, and responsibility. We talk about what it means to lead in moments of tragedy, why community matters more than ever, and how faith intersects with modern business and technology. Throughout the episode, Steve offers a candid look at the frameworks and principles that guide his decisions.

We discuss:

• Steve’s early life, football career, and the turning points that reshaped his path

• Why Hollywood often resists faith and what cultural shifts Steve sees happening today

• The “Mission, Team, Self” framework, and how it applies to leadership and decision making

• Building Pray.com as a sustainable platform across software, media, and subscriptions

• The importance of strong men, building community, and taking accountability

Links:

Pray.com - https://www.pray.com/

Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker - https://a.co/d/1aNzUXU

Steve on X - https://x.com/SteveGatena

Topics:

00:00 - Intro
03:21 - Charlie Sheen and Hollywood vs. Christianity
10:57 - Pray.com since Charlie Kirk’s death
13:35 - The journey to becoming a hope dealer
19:20 - Lessons playing football for Pete Carroll
23:58 - Developing the Mission, Team, Self framework
33:26 - The America Prays initiative
41:49 - Rescuing men
01:05:37 - How do you know if Pray.com is successful?
01:17:13 - Building a customer data platform
01:25:14 - How do you know if you’re being a successful CEO?

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/fort

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

#399 - Colt McCoy - The Story Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Today, my good friend Colt McCoy joins me for a deep and personal discussion about his path from small-town Texas to 14 seasons in the NFL, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and the intentional process of stepping away from the game. We talk through his early years growing up on the sidelines, the day he went from being a complete unknown to over 100 Division 1 offers, and the mindset he built while earning the starting job and leading Texas to the National Championship.

Colt reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the 2009 title-game injury, the realities of NFL life, and the teammates, coaches, and owners who influenced him most. He also opens up about the year-long discernment process that led him to retire, move his family to Fort Worth, and build a new career in real estate.

We discuss:

• Colt’s early upbringing around football and how it shaped his identity

• Winning the starting job, leading Texas for four seasons, and the highs and lows along the way

• The 2009 national championship injury and its lasting impact

• Lessons from 14 years in the NFL, including leadership, longevity, and adapting his game

• His decision to retire, prioritize family, and pursue a new path in Fort Worth real estate

• The role of faith, patience, and discernment in navigating major life transitions

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers

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Links:

Colt on X - https://x.com/ColtMcCoy

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:51) - The realities of working for ESPN and calling games

(00:11:15) - Colt’s earliest memories of football

(00:18:31) - The impact of Colt’s dad

(00:22:45) - Earning a scholarship to The University of Texas

(00:34:34) - Colt’s career at UT

(00:47:32) - Colt’s greatest memory at UT

(00:57:43) - The state of College football

(00:58:40) - The Michael Crabtree story

(01:04:27) - The toughest environments to play in

(01:06:24) - Colt’s NFL career

(01:08:58) - The biggest learning curve going from the NCAA to the NFL

(01:17:35) - Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever seen?

(01:19:04) - What Colt misses the most about being in the NFL

(01:20:59) - Who’s the scariest player you’ve gone up against?

(01:23:27) - What was the hardest hit you’ve ever taken?

(01:26:11) - The decision to leave the NFL and life after football

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

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Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

#398 - Cody Campbell - Saving College Sports, NIL, & A $7B Opportunity Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Today's guest, Cody Campbell, digs into the forces reshaping college athletics and his plan to ensure a solution that works for every stakeholder.

We discuss:

• How changing laws and court decisions created a brief window for Tech to act boldly

• Why Texas Tech’s culture, alumni base, and momentum made the strategy work

• How court rulings displaced the NCAA and fueled today’s chaotic environment

• The financial strain on athletic departments and the risk posed to Olympic and women’s sports

• The influence of commissioners, media companies, and private equity on the future of the system

• Cody’s vision for reform and why federal action is the only path to long-term stability

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:00) - Transforming Texas Tech in the NIL era (00:05:11) - The strategy for acquiring talent (00:12:38) - Legal changes and their impact on college sports (00:19:43) - The financial realities of college athletics (00:29:35) - The need for unified media rights in college sports (00:33:07) - Fan engagement and conference dynamics (00:35:05) - Private equity in college sports (00:39:30) - Challenges with NIL and enforcement (00:44:28) - Proposed solutions for college sports (00:48:50) - The role of government and leadership (00:52:47) - Cultural importance of college sports

Links:

Cody on X - https://x.com/CodyC64

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/powers

Collateral Partners: ⁠https://collateral.com/fort⁠

Chris on Social Media:

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Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠

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POWERS is produced by ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/⁠

#397 - Wiley Curran - Co-Founder @ CPC - Building A Perpetual Holding Company Of Lower Middle Market Businesses Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Today, I sit down with my good friend Wiley Curran to break down the story behind CPC, a family-built perpetual holding company that buys and holds businesses indefinitely.

We also discuss how CPC approaches acquisitions, management incentives, and organizational design to create enduring value across industries.

We discuss:

The evolution of CPC from a family chemicals business to a multi-company holding group
Why long-term ownership outperforms short-term investing strategies
How to build companies around customer intimacy and employee satisfaction
The “five key battles” CPC uses to evaluate and improve every business
Lessons learned from buying, integrating, and supporting 14 companies over time

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:12) - Running a CEO search
(00:08:26) - The story behind CPC
(00:23:39) - The importance of customer intimacy
(00:37:02) - CPC's long-term vision and employee engagement
(00:40:33) - Executive ownership and equity
(00:41:29) - Structuring equity buyouts
(00:42:58) - Valuation and liquidity rights
(00:44:49) - Investment strategy and business acquisition
(00:47:11) - Sourcing and evaluating business opportunities
(00:50:14) - Onboarding and integration of new businesses
(01:03:09) - Customer lifetime value and profitability
(01:09:13) - Board meetings and CEO summits
(01:14:36) - AI experiments and business impact
(01:18:30) - Future vision and personal goals

Support our Sponsors

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/fort⁠

Collateral Partners: ⁠https://collateral.com/fort⁠

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: ⁠https://x.com/fortworthchris⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast⁠

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POWERS is produced by ⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/⁠

#396 - Jason Illian - Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital - Eternal Thinking Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is my good friend Jason Illian, Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital. Jason returns to the show for a meaningful conversation about faith, fatherhood, leadership, and living with eternal purpose.

We explore how Jason integrates ministry into his home and family life, using sports as a vehicle to teach character and faith. He shares how he and his wife intentionally guide their children through social pressures, technology, and success, and how his approach to leadership, both at home and in business, is grounded in biblical truth. Together, we unpack what it means to lead a family, resist cultural distractions, and build a legacy that lasts beyond material success.

We discuss:

How Jason uses sports and family life as everyday ministry
The challenges of parenting in a tech-saturated world
Why true leadership requires being both prophet, priest, and king
The cultural impact of Dude Perfect and the rise of faith-driven media
How to shift from chasing empires to leaving lasting legacies

Links:

Dude Perfect

Highmount Capital

Jason on X

Support our Sponsors:

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Vesto: https://www.vesto.com/fort

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:07) - Balancing family and ministry
(00:04:02) - Raising intentional kids
(00:12:10) - The role of fathers in spiritual leadership
(00:18:23) - Navigating technology and social media
(00:39:38) - Dude Perfect's positive influence
(00:43:17) - The revival of good content
(00:44:43) - Fear and cultural moments
(00:45:50) - The role of Christians in society
(00:49:09) - Hope for the future
(00:50:29) - Leaving a legacy vs. building an empire
(00:51:07) - Making intentional choices
(00:54:34) - The importance of accountability
(01:02:21) - The eternal perspective
(01:12:09) - The impact of truth and integrity
(01:19:40) - Final thoughts and encouragement

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast/

Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

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POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Fearless Decision Making - Jamie Winship - Replay Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Jamie Winship has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas.

After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington D.C. area, Jamie earned an M.A. in English and developed a unique process of resolving inner conflict that results in the ability to lead and innovate from a position of authenticity and freedom. His unconventional efforts to bring about societal and racial reconciliation led him to Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, and back to the U.S.

We discuss:

How to discover your true identity
Separation and Connection world views
Jamie’s experiences working in the Middle East
Bringing terrorists to the US and converting them to Christianity

⁠We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners.⁠

https://www.thefortpod.com/survey

Links

⁠Jamie's website⁠

⁠Living Fearless by Jamie Winship⁠

⁠Identity Exchange⁠

⁠Finding Hope in Depression⁠

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:37) - Jamie’s background and upbringing
(00:04:31) - Being recruited into the CIA
(00:10:25) - What is identity?
(00:14:14) - How can I discover my true identity?
(00:26:14) - Separation vs. connection world views
(00:34:23) - Jamie’s experiences working in the Middle East
(00:51:37) - How to change the mentality of another person
(01:05:12) - Bringing Palestinian terrorists to a Christian men’s retreat

Chris on Social Media:

X: ⁠https://bit.ly/3BYIjcH⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://bit.ly/45gIkFd⁠

Watch The POWERS on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Powerspod

Visit our website: ⁠https://bit.ly/43SOvys⁠

Leave a review on Apple: ⁠https://bit.ly/45crFD0⁠

Leave a review on Spotify: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO⁠

This episode originally aired on February 20th, 2024

The FORT is produced by ⁠Johnny Podcasts

#395 - Scott Arnoldy - Founder & CEO @ Triten RE Partners - Scaling to $1.5B+ Across Multiple Cycles and Asset Classes Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m I sitting down with Scott Arnoldy, Founder & CEO of Triten RE Partners, to explore his journey from the frothy real estate markets of the mid-2000s to building Triten into a multi-vertical investment and development firm with ~$2B in investment volume.

We talk about the lessons he learned at Goldman and Stockbridge during the GFC, the early days of striking out on his own, and how he’s evolved from being a dealmaker to focusing on building a scalable business. Scott shares his perspective on industrial outdoor storage, multifamily opportunities, and why leadership and team building have become his greatest priorities.

We discuss:

How the leverage-driven deals of the mid-2000s shaped Scott’s risk mindset
The transition from opportunistic projects to building a long-term business with structure and focus
The evolution of Triten’s investment approach, from value-add office to iOS and multifamily
Why storytelling and clarity matter as much as numbers when raising capital
Perspectives on the current real estate cycle, market uncertainty, and where compelling opportunities exist today

Links:

Triten RE Partners - https://www.tritenre.com/

Scott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottarnoldy/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:35) - Scott's early career and real estate insights
(00:13:04) - Navigating the 2008 financial crisis
(00:19:27) - Starting a real estate firm: Challenges and lessons
(00:30:41) - Building a successful real estate business
(00:37:23) - Sheds and beds
(00:38:53) - The role of investment committees
(00:41:15) - Leveraging technology in real estate
(00:46:24) - The importance of storytelling in deals
(00:48:56) - The rise of industrial outdoor storage (iOS)
(00:58:21) - Current real estate market analysis
(01:01:33) - Looking ahead & future predictions

Support our Sponsors

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/fort⁠

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0

Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO

POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

#394 - Alex Robinson - Co- Founder & CEO @ Juniper Square - The New Survival Code for GPs (Private Markets Are Rapidly Being Disrupted) Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Juniper Square Co-Founder & CEO Alex Robinson for a conversation on the seismic shifts reshaping private markets and the future of investing.

We dig into the impact of interest rate changes, the rise of retail investors, and why GPs face both opportunity and disruption in today’s environment. We also go deep on artificial intelligence, how it’s already transforming knowledge work, and the role it will play in redefining private market operations. Alex shares both a macro view of these changes and the mindset he’s using as a CEO to navigate them inside Juniper Square.

We discuss:

- How rising rates have affected private credit, real estate, and venture capital differently

- Why retail investors will be a defining force in the next decade of private markets

- The tension between becoming a mega-cap manager or staying a differentiated sharpshooter

-Why liquidity is one of the hardest challenges to solve for private investors

- How AI will fundamentally rewire every role inside a GP and beyond

Links:

Alex on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrob22/

Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:43) - The state of the private markets
(00:16:35) - How Juniper Square is tackling LP Liquidity simplification
(00:24:48) - The state of AI
(00:34:27) - How AI will impact the typical GP
(00:40:52) - Alex’s perspective on AI as a CEO
(00:52:28) - Building JunieAI

Support our Sponsors

Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort

Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com/fort

Chris on Social Media:

Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortpodcast

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/

Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0

Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO

POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/