Libsyn Directory

Ep 694. Tandem Marriage: Navigating the Cost of Success and Business Stress

Release Date: 04/02/2026

Ep 706. Stop Being Busy, Start Building: The Power of the "One Thing"

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb and Brittany, focus on the transition from being a busy business owner to becoming a strategic leader who builds scalable systems. They emphasize the "automate, delegate, and eliminate" framework to help contractors reclaim their time and focus on high-level growth. They argue that entrepreneurs are often the primary bottleneck in their own companies and must undergo a mindset shift to fix systemic issues. Additionally, the discussion highlights various industry tools and resources, such as LMN and Cycle CPA, which provide the data and structure necessary for long-term success. Through...

Ep 705. Clearing the Fog: Lessons on Life, Legacy, and Loss

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb reflects on the anniversary of his father's passing and the lessons learned from that experience. He introduces the concept of a "fog" that often clouds judgment during times of intense grief, advising listeners to avoid making major life decisions until they can think clearly. Auman honors his father’s legacy by discussing the foundational trade skills, spiritual values, and constitutional principles passed down to him. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family time over work, reminding his audience that personal connections are far more valuable than professional...

Ep 704. Slamfire: Are You Your Business, or Is Your Business You?

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Today Caleb and Brittany discuss the emotional complexities of entrepreneurship and the difficulty of separating personal identity from business performance. The couple shares updates on their landscaping company’s financial goals and their current living situation while building a new home. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on legacy and values, with Caleb reflecting on his father’s stable career as a form of self-sacrifice for family security. They explore the idea that while a business reflects one's personality and work ethic, a person’s ultimate worth is defined by...

Ep 703. Spring Grind Stoicism: Managing Chaos, Exhaustion, and Equipment Failures

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb and Brittany discuss the operational challenges and triumphs of the spring season. They highlight the importance of their integrated tech stack, specifically using Company Cam for visual documentation and LMN for precise job costing and scheduling. The couple candidly reflects on managing employee accountability, overcoming logistical hurdles, and the mental strain of balancing a high-growth company with family life. Additionally, they promote industry events and educational resources like The Hardscape Academy and Cycle CPA to help other contractors professionalize their bookkeeping....

Ep 702. Why Your Team Should Solve Your Problems (Instead of You)

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb and Brittany discuss the evolution of their landscaping business and the critical shifts in their leadership mindset. They emphasize the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and established systems as their team grows beyond the original "old guard" of long-term employees. Brittany highlights a pivotal meeting with a mentor that provided the clarity needed to simplify complex business decisions and move past an overwhelming "hamster wheel" of tasks. The discussion explores the power of delegation, showing how giving employees the freedom to solve their own problems...

Ep 701. Building a Business That Runs Without You

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Growth can stall when every job depends on more labor, more stress, and more guesswork. Caleb and Brittany discuss how their hardscaping business has evolved through better systems, sharper financial tools, and a more intentional approach to people. Instead of relying on manual labor as the default answer, they explore how strategic equipment investments can increase productivity, reduce overhead, and limit the personnel challenges that come with an inefficient workforce. The conversation also digs into the impact of fractional CFO services and specialized software for budgeting, cash flow,...

Ep 700. Why SOPs Matter When Your New Hire Knows Nothing

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

On this episode Caleb discusses the logistical challenges of scaling a seven-figure landscaping business while integrating a completely inexperienced apprentice. He emphasizes that hiring for positive attitude over existing skill sets allows a leader to mold workers without having to break poor habits. To manage this "green" labor force effectively, Auman highlights the necessity of robust organizational systems, including color-coded tools, detailed digital documentation through Company Cam, and structured software like LMN for budgeting. He also explores broader economic trends affecting the...

Ep 699. How to Step Out of the Field Without Losing Control

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Stepping out of the day-to-day work is not just an operations change. It is a leadership change. Caleb talks with Ryan Markewich of in Canada about what it really takes to move from being the person doing the work to becoming the person leading the business. Drawing from his experience building a successful landscaping company, Ryan explains how open-book management, shared financial visibility, and a clear long-term vision helped create a stronger team and a more scalable company. The conversation centers on a challenge many owners face: staying trapped in the field while trying to grow....

Ep 698. No More Apologies: Taking Control of the Budget Conversation

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb speaks with green industry veteran . The discussion focuses on professionalism and sales strategies within the landscaping business, emphasizing that customer service starts with internal team culture. Grunder highlights the necessity of screening potential clients and understanding company numbers to ensure profitability and successful project closing. He further explains that physical presentation, such as clean equipment and professional attire, is vital for landing high-value contracts. Additionally, Grunder details his educational ventures, including the and various training...

Ep 697. Why a New Hire’s Failure is 100% Your Fault with Sam Gembel

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb talks with regarding the essential principles of leadership and team management within the trades. Gembel emphasizes that business owners must define a clear vision and establish accountability to foster a "settled" company culture where employees feel secure. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the idea that leaders should never project their personal motivations onto their staff, summarized by the mantra "never compare your why to someone else's why." Sam also address the 100% responsibility an organization holds for the success or failure of new hires, advocating for...

More Episodes

Caleb talks with Brad and Tammy Miller, the founders of Tandem Marriage. Drawing from their experience running a seven-figure counseling practice and their own 41-year marriage, the Millers discuss how professional success can lead to a "slow drift" that distances spouses. They emphasize that high-achieving business owners often fall into a "provider trap," mistakenly believing financial stability is the only way to show love while neglecting emotional connection. To counter this, they advocate for extreme intentionality, urging couples to remain curious about one another and prioritize their relationship as a unified team. The episode highlights various resources available at tandemarriage.com, including a video toolbox and mentorship advice, to help couples move from a mediocre marriage to a thriving one.

Key Takeaways:

Commit to being intentional in your relationship every day to prevent the natural "slow drift" that occurs when life and business become overwhelming.
Prioritize a loving relationship with your spouse as the greatest gift you can give your children, providing them with a foundation of security and a healthy model for their own lives.
Develop self-awareness during conflicts by pausing to ask yourself if there is any truth in what your spouse is saying before you react defensively.
Ensure that your role as a financial provider never usurps your responsibility to be an emotionally present and supportive partner at home.
Regularly seek outside guidance through mentors, coaching, or educational resources to keep your marriage thriving as you navigate different seasons of life and business.