In this episode, the Forge team welcomes Chris into the conversation for the first time. Chris steps in by sharing an unfinished, vulnerable moment from his leadership journey, reflecting on one of the most difficult decisions he’s faced: stepping away from a business partnership.

Chris opens up about how, overtime, he became convinced that staying would limit not only his own growth, but the growth of his partners as well. What he intended as an invitation to discern the future together was communicated poorly and received as a declaration that he was leaving. That gap exposed immaturity in his communication and leadership, creating confusion and emotional strain for everyone involved. Rather than rushing the decision, the partners took time to process it together.

Each ultimately received their own confirmation that the separation was both right and timely. For Chris, one of the clearest indicators that the decision was rooted in faith rather than ego was the unity he experienced at home. His wife was fully on board, bringing peace to what could have been a deeply divisive season.

The conversation expands into the unique weight of leadership transitions when you’re not just changing jobs, but stepping away from something you helped build. Partnerships carry shared history, equity, identity, and responsibility. Even when growth is the goal, letting go can feel like tearing something apart without certainty of how it will land. The Forge group reflects on how real growth often requires disruption.

Entrepreneurs tend to grow through pressure, and while Chris can now see things he would handle differently, he trusted that the challenge itself would force growth for everyone involved. Central to that trust was his decision to fully release control, removing his influence so others could step into leadership without his shadow.

The Forge Team acknowledges how nearly impossible it is to communicate a partnership separation without triggering emotion. From both sides of similar experiences, the hosts note how easily insecurity, self-doubt, and fear can overpower even the most thoughtful intentions.

The episode closes not with bitterness, but gratitude. Despite imperfect communication and real tension, Chris expresses thankfulness for where relationships stand today, recognizing that clarity, healing, and growth often only come after the hardest decisions are made.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode, the Forge team welcomes Chris into the conversation for the first time. Chris steps in by sharing an unfinished, vulnerable moment from his leadership journey, reflecting on one of the most difficult decisions he’s faced: stepping away from a business partnership.

Chris opens up about how, over time, he became convinced that staying would limit not only his own growth, but the growth of his partners as well. What he intended as an invitation to discern the future together was communicated poorly and received as a declaration that he was leaving.

That gap exposed immaturity in his communication and leadership, creating confusion and emotional strain for everyone involved. Rather than rushing the decision, the partners took time to process it together. Each ultimately received their own confirmation that the separation was both right and timely. For Chris, one of the clearest indicators that the decision was rooted in faith rather than ego was the unity he experienced at home.

His wife was fully on board, bringing peace to what could have been a deeply divisive season. The conversation expands into the unique weight of leadership transitions when you’re not just changing jobs, but stepping away from something you helped build. Partnerships carry shared history, equity, identity, and responsibility.

Even when growth is the goal, letting go can feel like tearing something apart without certainty of how it will land. The group reflects on how real growth often requires disruption. Entrepreneurs tend to grow through pressure, and while Chris can now see things he would handle differently, he trusted that the challenge itself would force growth for everyone involved.

Central to that trust was his decision to fully release control, removing his influence so others could step into leadership without his shadow. They also acknowledge how nearly impossible it is to communicate a partnership separation without triggering emotion. From both sides of similar experiences, the hosts note how easily insecurity, self-doubt, and fear can overpower even the most thoughtful intentions.

The episode closes not with bitterness, but gratitude. Despite imperfect communication and real tension, Chris expresses thankfulness for where relationships stand today, recognizing that clarity, healing, and growth often only come after the hardest decisions are made.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns into a direct and honest debrief of the Ridgeline Roofing and Solar AGM, and why it marked a real turning point for the company. Coming right off the pruning discussion, Josh and Kenton walk through what made this AGM different. Not just inspiring, but actually useful.

After years of learning the hard way, they reflect on the discipline of building a real agenda, facilitating for outcomes, and setting clear expectations.

The result was a meeting that created alignment, momentum, and ownership instead of fatigue. A major part of the conversation centers on the value of outside perspective. Bringing in an external chair through Forge removed internal politics, kept the meeting focused, and allowed hard questions to be asked and answered.

Josh and Kenton explore why this kind of structure matters, and why AGM facilitation may be one of the most practical services Forge can offer contractors. The episode digs into what separates a good meeting from a productive one: action, accountability, and follow-through.

They share the concrete outcomes that came out of the AGM, from early budgeting work and procedures to clearly defined ownership and stewardship agreements. No one was dragged into responsibility. People stepped into it. They also talk candidly about where the meeting exposed gaps.

When tough questions were asked, the lack of clear metrics and ownership became obvious. Marketing spend without clear ROI, shared responsibilities without clear owners, and the need for better tracking and better information in the room. That naturally leads into a deeper discussion on North Star metrics. Josh and Kenton unpack why revenue alone isn’t enough, why volume can hide unhealthy businesses, and why they’re leaning toward value per square as a clearer signal of financial health.

They wrestle with how to honor cultural wins without masking financial reality, landing on a practical balance between financial clarity and cultural celebration. A clear theme emerges for 2026: stewardship. Stewarding finances, operations, assets, and people with intention. One story in particular highlights what stewardship looks like in practice, resisting the urge to force solutions and instead allowing ownership, learning, and leadership to develop.

The episode closes by returning to Ridgeline’s core identity: brotherhood. Building young men, work ethic, and fortitude through the trades. Josh and Kenton reflect on the tension between investing in people and maintaining financial health, and why both are required to build something that lasts. This is a grounded, practical conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it really looks like to run a healthy company.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation becomes a year-end reflection centered on one defining idea: real growth comes from pruning, not piling on. What begins as a thought about revisiting the AGM quickly shifts into a deeper discussion about 2025 as a season of cutting back so the right things can grow.

Josh and Kenton talk candidly about what pruning has looked like at Ridgeline. Saying no to work that isn’t healthy, even when it’s emotionally difficult. Letting people go, hiring slower, and choosing values, mindset, and culture fit over raw talent. Moving away from transactional approaches to labor and toward a team built on trust, buy-in, and shared standards.

The conversation expands to the future of the trades and why craftsmanship and human skill aren’t disappearing anytime soon. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, Josh and Kenton argue that real-world problem solving and hands-on experience will only become more valuable. A central theme throughout the episode is brotherhood and accountability through Forge.

They reflect on why the group exists, the importance of having peers who can speak honestly without being entangled in day-to-day operations, and why keeping the podcast free from financial pressure helps preserve integrity and intention.

The episode closes with optimism for 2026, gratitude for the listeners, and thanks to Seth Steward Productions and Kalen Wookey for their continued support behind the scenes. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who would appreciate it and help grow the Forge community.

Original theme music composed and performed by: Ben Smith

Produced by: Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by: Kalen Wookey Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns toward success, trust, and the deeper motivations that shape how leaders show up at work and in life. Josh and Kenton reflect on what it actually means to build something meaningful, not just profitable, and how trust inside a team can either fuel momentum or quietly erode it.

They explore how trust inside a team can either accelerate growth or quietly drain energy, and why shared vision is one of the most powerful forces in any organization. Josh reflects on a recent staff Christmas party and the reality of turnover, growth, and leadership responsibility over the past year, while Kenton speaks to the importance of teamwork and mutual buy-in at every level of a business.

The conversation also looks back on the journey of the podcast itself. Josh and Kenton share why Forge exists, the kind of conversations they hope to create, and how listener feedback has shaped the show into something both thought-provoking and enjoyable. They discuss the value of content that is life-giving, honest, and rooted in real experience rather than surface-level advice. Faith naturally weaves its way into the discussion.

While Forge isn’t positioned as a Christian podcast, Josh and Kenton are open about how faith informs their leadership, decision-making, and approach to generosity. They talk about giving without expectation, vulnerability in leadership, and the responsibility to support community, especially during the Christmas season.

This episode is a reflection on growth, hard work, generosity, and the deeper purpose behind building something that lasts. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who would appreciate it and help grow the Forge community.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation takes an honest, unfiltered look at leadership, governance, and the real work behind running a meaningful Annual General Meeting as a growing contractor-led company.

With Ridgeline’s AGM only days away, the discussion opens with the tension many founders feel when stepping into a more structured, formal leadership environment, moving from informal conversations and surface-level financial reviews into a fully agenda-driven meeting with accountability, metrics, and outside advisory input. For the first time, the Forge team is stepping in as an advisory board, including a designated chair, creating both excitement and intimidation for a CEO used to leading from the front.

The episode explores why so many contractors underestimate AGMs, how poorly structured meetings create confusion and conflict, and why strong leadership doesn’t mean controlling the room, it often means creating space to listen. The conversation digs into the value of outside perspective, board experience, and learning how to receive critique without immediately tying it to personal identity.

From there, the dialogue goes deeper into emotional maturity, tone, and conflict. The hosts unpack why legitimate feedback often gets dismissed when delivered poorly, how insecurity shows up in leadership reactions, and why perception, even when inaccurate, still needs to be addressed. Drawing from personal experience in business, marriage counseling, and board environments, the episode highlights the difference between positional critique and personal attack, and why leaders must learn to separate the two.

Tone becomes a central theme, how it shapes meetings, relationships, and outcomes. The conversation reflects on why leaders often regret how they spoke more than what they said, how emotional state affects communication, and why high-stakes meetings require as much mental preparation as strategic planning. Practical analogies from roofing, icy roads, and physical risk reinforce the idea that awareness, preparation, and restraint are critical when navigating difficult conversations.

The episode also wrestles with governance questions many small businesses face but rarely articulate:

Who should be in the room for an AGM?

When should team leads observe versus participate?

How do you balance transparency with productivity and context?

Rather than offering rigid answers, the discussion emphasizes intentional structure, segmenting meetings, clarifying roles, and ensuring decisions are clearly communicated to the broader team afterward.

The episode closes with a focus on outcomes and implementation. Vision, accountability, metrics, and role clarity only matter if they lead to action. From recording and transcribing meetings to creating clear follow-ups and strategic plans, the conversation reinforces that the real value of leadership meetings is found not in inspiration alone, but in execution.

This episode is a candid look at what it takes to mature as a leader learning to listen, receive feedback, manage emotion, and build systems that allow a company to grow with clarity, trust, and alignment.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh and Kenton open round two with a conversation about a leadership principle that is rarely talked about but deeply shapes teams, families, and culture: honor. Not the vague, ceremonial version most people imagine, but the real, practical posture of how we treat those above us, beside us, and under our care.

The conversation begins with a vivid story from Kenton’s time in Caracas, where two street tough brothers raised in hard circumstances showed unwavering honor toward their mother. That contrast sparks a deeper question: what actually is honor? And how is it different from trust, respect, leadership, or integrity? In business, we talk endlessly about vision, values, trust, and culture, yet almost never about honor, even though Scripture places massive weight on it: “Honor your father and mother… so that it may go well with you.”

They explore why honor is such a rare topic in leadership circles, how it influences both personal and organizational health, and why it might be a missing pillar in modern business. Josh and Kenton unpack how honor shows up not just in big gestures but in small, consistent behaviors, how we greet people, how we disagree, how we give credit, and how we speak about those who have invested in us.

They dig into the way culture reveals honor through action more than words, and how many high performing teams unintentionally reward results even when behavior is dishonoring. They talk about how dishonor can quietly erode trust, fracture alignment, and create ceilings on growth long before performance metrics show it.

Throughout the episode, they wrestle with defining honor in a modern context, what it looks like in families, in leadership, on job sites, and in boardrooms. They explore why honor is not weakness or blind loyalty, but strength expressed through humility, gratitude, and disciplined speech. They discuss how reintroducing honor can reshape team dynamics, reduce friction, and create environments where people can thrive.

Josh and Kenton also share practical steps for building a culture of honor: defining what honor means for your household or organization, practicing daily honoring behaviors, calling out good actions by name, and auditing whether your culture rewards character as much as it rewards output.

This episode is a grounded, challenging, and transformational look at what honor really is and why recovering it may be one of the most important leadership decisions you can make in the years ahead.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh and Joel sit down for a deep dive into one of the most difficult and defining topics for any business leader: partnership. Not the surface-level talk about revenue projections or financial models, but the real heart of partnership, people, values, alignment, and the long-term consequences of saying yes or no.

The conversation begins with the tension so many CEOs feel when the spreadsheets say one thing but your gut says another. Once you start quantifying the benefits of merging, teaming up, or sharing ownership, it becomes easy to reduce everything to revenue, margins, and numbers you can present to a board. But those numbers are only one piece of a much more complicated picture.

They explore what happens when owners are not involved in day-to-day operations, how different personalities measure success differently, and why generosity, trust, and shared vision matter just as much as the financial upside.

Josh talks about the fear, uncertainty, and pressure to make the right decision, and how that often leads to paralysis. What if the partnership slows your growth? What if turning it down limits your potential? What if a new structure changes your role or steals the joy you once had in your work?

Joel speaks to the responsibility of being a visionary and the weight of standing up, casting the future, and selling an idea to the people who share ownership with you, even when you know they may reject it.

They both acknowledge a hard truth: you can model every scenario down to the penny and still overlook the most important factor — the people involved.

Throughout the conversation, they unpack why partnerships succeed or fail even before anything is signed. They talk about thinking beyond dollars and looking at people, synergy, and long-term alignment. They dig into situations where partnerships double revenue but destroy your love for the job.

They discuss how decisions affect not just owners but every person in the organization. They explore the difference between fears that are warnings and fears that are opportunities for growth. They talk about how rushing a decision out of fear can lead to regret and why clarity comes from mapping out roles, responsibilities, and expectations before saying yes.

Joel and Josh also explore the challenges of giving up control, merging cultures, reconciling different motivations, and asking one essential question: whether this partnership will make you a better human, leader, and founder in five years.

This episode is a candid, vulnerable, and practical look at what it really takes to evaluate partnership, acquisition, team mergers, shared ownership, and high-impact decisions that shape the future of a company and the people inside it.

Original theme music composed and performed by - Ben Smith

Produced by - Seth Steward Productions

Co-produced by - Kalen Wookey

Website: ⁠https://forgealliance.ca/⁠

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

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/forge_ca⁠ (@Forge_CA) / X