S2-EP06: Understanding Is Proven, Not Spoken
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Release Date: 01/16/2026
S2-E28: Inside Sponsor Games: Raw Day One Debrief from the PodHouse Mobile Studio
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric Triplett and Mike Garvey debrief after the first day of the Sponsor Games event in San Antonio. Led by industry expert Justin Moore, the intensive workshop focuses on teaching creators and entrepreneurs how to move beyond basic sponsorships toward building mutually beneficial brand partnerships. They candidly discuss the logistical challenges of the event, such as high temperatures and technical audio issues, while highlighting the tactical value of the curriculum. They emphasize the importance of serving the brand's specific goals and using modern tools like AI and high-end audio gear to...
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S2-E27: 38 Special Productions with Mike Garvey
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Today's podcast is a conversation between Eric Triplett, a high-drive "Challenger" personality, and Mike Garvey, a strategic "Achiever." The two entrepreneurs discuss how their distinct Enneagram personality types led to the accidental formation of 38 Special Productions, a media company focused on the contracting industry. They detail the origin of their partnership, explaining how they combine their unique strengths to host Podhouse, a mobile content creation space for trade shows. The episode emphasizes the importance of professional branding and the "LEO vibe" they incorporate into their...
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S2-E26: Don’t Go to Events Without A Plan - Sponsor Games San Antonio
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
In this episode, Eric and his colleagues discuss the necessity of defining specific goals when attending professional conferences. While staying at a unique headquarters in San Antonio for the Sponsor Games, the group emphasizes that most attendees fail to see a return on investment because they lack a strategic game plan. Triplet explains his methods for proactive networking, such as using intentional "elevator pitches" and analyzing a room to identify valuable assets. The conversation highlights the importance of building authentic, long-term brand partnerships rather than seeking...
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S2-E25: Podhouse Madden Voyage DeBriefing
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric shares a "debriefing" session following the maiden voyage of the Podhouse, a collaborative content creation initiative based at an Airbnb in Las Vegas. Podcasters Eric Triplet, Mike Garvey, Larry DelliSanti, and John Pajak evaluate their experiences at the ConExpo convention, specifically highlighting the success of their "booth takeovers" and the attention-grabbing power of their coordinated branding. The group discusses strategic improvements for future events, such as implementing a "leapfrog" team system to streamline filming and ensuring all creators utilize standardized equipment....
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S2-E24: Hard Hats vs Helmets: The Jobsite Debate Nobody Wants to Have
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Host Eric Triplet advocates for modern safety helmets as a superior alternative to traditional hard hats for contractors. The discussion highlights how new technology featuring chin straps and advanced impact-absorbing materials offers significantly better protection against brain injuries and falls. James from explains that these helmets are designed to be cooler and more versatile than older models, accommodating various job site accessories. While some workers resist the change due to aesthetics or comfort, the sources emphasize that safety and longevity are more important than...
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S2-E23: Digging on Job Sites to the Moon: Vermeer’s Next Frontier
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric interviews Andrew Strobel, an R&D lead from , during the ConExpo trade show in Las Vegas. The discussion highlights a groundbreaking partnership with Interlune to develop robotic trenching technology designed to excavate lunar soil, known as regolith. By adapting terrestrial engineering for low-gravity environments, the project aims to eventually extract Helium-3 from the moon's surface for energy purposes. The conversation explores technical hurdles such as traction and soil density, while noting how NASA-related expertise influences the company's innovation. This episode illustrates...
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S2-E22: Contractor Confession - "The Machine I Wish I Would've Bought"
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric interviews Steve Weldon, a product specialist from , during the ConExpo trade show in Las Vegas. The conversation focuses on the technical advantages of mini skid steers, highlighting features such as chariot-style platforms for operator safety and toolless access panels for easy maintenance. Triplet openly shares his contractor regret over previously purchasing a competitor's machine, noting that Vermeer’s versatile attachments and superior lift capacity make them ideal for tight residential jobsites. The episode also emphasizes the high resale value and durability of these machines,...
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S2-E21: The Movement Behind the Mic - PodHouse
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric introduces Podhouse, a strategic initiative described as a mobile content creation war room designed to amplify industry events. Moving beyond traditional podcasting, this project utilizes remote studio hubs to capture deep, authentic conversations that typically occur off-camera during trade shows and conferences. By documenting these interactions in long-form and short-form media, the creators aim to build a lasting digital legacy for contractors, brands, and innovators. The movement focuses on networking and authority positioning, transforming fleeting event moments into year-round...
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S2-E20: Dancing Alone Before Moving The Masses.
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Today, Eric references a viral video of a lone dancer at a music festival to illustrate the foundations of leadership. He explains that starting a movement requires the courage to look foolish before others decide to join in. The speaker highlights the "second follower" as the pivotal force that transforms an individual’s audacity into a collective culture. He challenges his audience of contractors to embrace discomfort and set high professional standards even when they feel isolated. Ultimately, the discussion serves as a call to action for leaders to initiate momentum through consistent,...
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S2-EP19: Jumping the Shark… or Leading the Pack?
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric addresses a client's critique that his recent business decisions—specifically adding a Belgian Malinois to his crew—constitute "jumping the shark." Triplet uses this pop-culture reference to explain that what spectators perceive as a desperate or gimmicky decline is actually a strategic evolution for his brand. He reveals that the dog serves as both a security detail against death threats and a safety measure in rattlesnake-prone job sites, illustrating the gap between public perception and leadership reality. By reflecting on past risks, such...
info_outlineTriplett emphasizes that empathy is the most critical tool in a sales professional’s arsenal. He argues that making a client feel accurately understood is more influential than price, product quality, or specific scripts. A central focus of the discussion is the "recap" technique, where the contractor paraphrases a client’s story and emotions to build profound trust before discussing project costs. The group explores how to avoid robotic repetition by weaving personal details and specific "buzzwords" into a narrative that demonstrates genuine care. Additionally, the participants troubleshoot real-world challenges, such as managing high-pressure calls and using emerging technology to qualify leads remotely.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize showing empathy over perfecting your sales script or pricing because it acts as a multiplier for all other professional skills.
- Perform a detailed recap at the end of a conversation to repeat a client's story back to them in a way that proves they have been accurately understood.
- Distinguish between empathy and agreement so you can understand a person’s perspective without necessarily supporting their intended course of action.
- Always ask for explicit permission before transitioning a conversation toward sensitive topics like budget or pricing to build trust and maintain a respectful tone.
- Slow down the pace of a high-pressure interaction by explicitly mentioning that you are taking notes to ensure no important details are missed.
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