Behind the Toolbelt

Send us Fan Mail A city street, 27 roaring fryers, and a mountain of sides turned a gray morning into a bright, communal feast. We fired up the sixth annual 21 Turkey Salute with 122 birds, a volunteer army, and partners who transformed a church kitchen into a production line. What began during a season of distance has grown into a tradition that feeds bodies, lifts spirits, and re-centers our tea...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack how real relationships beat random outreach, why brand congruency matters more than louder ads, and how trades can cut through noise with human, focused marketing. We get tactical on AI, after-hours lead capture, cost-per-lead math, seasonality, and planning the next 12 months. • returning to local roots and community-led networking • quality over quantity conversations,...

Send us Fan Mail We share how a scrappy idea during COVID grew into the 21 Turkey Salute, a community feast that now doubles as our public stress test and private operating system. Service created trust, trust shaped culture, and culture sharpened execution across our jobs. • origin of the 21 Turkey Salute and early hurdles • turning a record attempt into a yearly tradition • how service forged tr...

Send us Fan Mail We reflect on six seasons of consistent creation, why vulnerability beats polish, and how real accountability changes behavior. The talk moves from viral mistakes to practical resets, from empathy as a learned skill to redemption earned over years. • consistency as a trust contract with listeners • authenticity over optics in personal brand • the two‑minute reset for breath, movem...

Send us Fan Mail We crack open how inputs shape outputs, how to quiet the loud inner critic, and how to swap victim thinking for real ownership with simple, repeatable drills. Practical stories, crew‑ready scripts, and a five‑minute morning stack make the shift doable today. • inputs across reading, watching, listening, and circle audits • five guided questions for an input audit • five‑minute mor...

Send us Fan Mail We trace a full season’s lessons:How personal growth sets the ceiling, how training builds culture, and how brand is earned through service, while recapping community wins like Swing Fore Recovery and trunk-or-treat that make trust tangible. Leadership shows up as responsibility, clarity, and consistency, with a challenge to mentor the next person and share one honest story this w...

Send us Fan Mail We dig into how to build momentum when the market feels soft, why your internal economy matters more than headlines, and the simple daily actions that turn trust into referrals and referrals into pipeline. We share a clear seven-day sprint, a weekly audit habit, and the brand moves that make growth repeatable. • charity golf updates and funds raised for treatment access • creating...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack the season when the right message finally lands, how vulnerability, accountability, and early adopters turn good intentions into real change. Along the way, a roadside breakdown becomes a masterclass in composure, gratitude, and leading when it’s hard. • timing and teachability shaping real growth • courage and vulnerability as daily practice • hard conversations and acc...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Stephen Spence of Project Map It to unpack how visual proof and clean integrations help contractors win trust, then open up about addiction, mental health, and why Swing Fore Recovery sends people in the trades to treatment. Purpose, partnerships, and practical steps turn a tool into a lifeline. • origins of Project Map It and Stephen’s career shift • interactive...

Send us Fan Mail We celebrate a major milestone—300 episodes of Behind the Tool Belt—and reflect on the journey from our basement beginnings to building a community that spans across the country. • The podcast started as a way to promote charity events and share insights about roofing, but evolved into a platform for personal development and leadership • Consistency has been the key to success—sho...

Send us Fan Mail Ty Cobb-Backer reflects on the importance of authentic leadership culture and how TC Backer Construction has developed over 17 years by making hard choices that align with core values. After extensive self-reflection, Ty shares the three pillars that have guided the company's success: Purpose, Ownership, and Organizational Health. • Moving employees from 1099 contractors to W...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the 90-10 rule of leadership and why focusing on what's going right instead of fixating on problems transforms both results and team energy. • Running towards problems instead of avoiding them—the obstacle is the way • How our perspective and focus determine the energy of our company and team • Creating a standard of excellence by making good things even better • T...

Send us Fan Mail Ty Cobb Backer plunges into the essence of true leadership, emphasizing that your leadership quality directly reflects what you tolerate and how consistently you embody your principles. Personal growth and self-mastery must precede any attempt to lead others effectively. • Leadership begins with self-awareness and personal development • Your true character emerges in how you respo...

Send us Fan Mail Dashaun Bryant, sales powerhouse and roofing industry influencer, returns to the podcast to share wisdom on developing a winner's mindset and finding fulfillment in success. • Winners Win philosophy - understanding the formula for winning and consistently applying it • The BFF framework - Beliefs, Focus, and Freedom • Winners know they're going to win, they just don&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Ty shares his leadership journey and the core principles behind building a successful business with strong company culture, highlighting the importance of vision, energy, and servant leadership. • Leadership is about servantship, not exercising power over others • Your team reflects your energy as a CEO (Chief Energy Officer), you set the tone • Leading with fear and anger never b...

Send us Fan Mail Energy is the most powerful currency a leader possesses, with the ability to transform organizations and build movements that change lives. Ty Cobb-Backer revisits the profound impact of John Gordon's "The Energy Bus" and breaks down the 10 rules that have shaped his leadership philosophy and earned him the title of "Chief Energy Officer." • You're th...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Brown shares his journey of writing "How to Become a Hometown Hero" and reveals strategies for building legendary status in your local community through marketing, leadership, and service. The conversation explores deep insights about creating impact while scaling a business effectively. • Creating a book that captures marketing wisdom while transitioning to an execu...

Send us Fan Mail Elijah Muhm, owner of Roman's Roofing and host of The Roof Trollz podcast, shares his journey of building a mission-driven company focused on culture over profits and authenticity in the roofing industry. • Creating a company focused on culture first, prioritizing both customers and employees  • Building a local brand that gives back to the community and provides real value •...

Send us Fan Mail In a world saturated with roofing conferences offering the same speakers and recycled content, the Limitless Roofing Summit stands apart as a refreshing alternative. This owner-only gathering isn't just another event—it's a carefully crafted experience designed to foster authentic connections that transform businesses and lives. Dylan McCabe and Jenna Lawson, the driving...

Send us Fan Mail The AI revolution is transforming how businesses operate, with John Stauffer, Director of Marketing for TC Backer Construction sharing how artificial intelligence now powers everything from jingle creation to strategic marketing and content development. • John describes creating a complete song for a steakhouse in just 2.5 minutes versus the months it previously took • AI tools li...

Send us Fan Mail Ty explores the delicate balance of knowing when to lead and when to follow, sharing personal experiences of leadership failures and successes while outlining his 12 attributes of great leadership. • Self-awareness starts with humility and understanding why you want to lead • No leader has all the answers, and the sooner we acknowledge this, the easier leadership becomes • "R...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn't just about managing people—it's the foundation that builds extraordinary brands. In this candid exploration of business growth, Ty Cobb-Backer reveals how leadership philosophies directly impact brand development and market presence. At its core, effective leadership requires mastering self-management before attempting to guide others. Leaders must inspi...

Send us Fan Mail The roof over your home protects everything you value, your family, possessions, and the structural integrity of your biggest investment. Yet most homeowners don't think about their roof until water starts dripping from the ceiling. By then, damage has already begun. In this value-packed episode, Ty Cobb-Backer reveals his proven seven-part framework for effective roofing com...

Send us Fan Mail "Men and women lie, numbers don't." These words from sales expert Shai perfectly capture his data-driven approach to transforming the home services industry. After 16 years mastering the art of in-home sales, Shai has helped over 1,000 sales representatives close more than $300 million in deals and built his own company from zero to $20 million in just 18 months. Wh...

Send us Fan Mail Behind the Tool Belt returns to its roots with an inside look at leadership development and relationship building through a conversation with TC Backer sales leader Ben Catlin. • Ben shares his journey from Michigan to Pennsylvania, including his early influences in music and sports • Family connections played a key role in shaping Ben's character and work ethic • Breaking in...