The Pitch and The Catch

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Andrew Dunn, Energy Solutions Director at FENECON USA, to explore how energy systems, leadership, and policy intersect as the world moves toward cleaner and more resilient power.  Andrew offers a grounded perspective on the energy transition, cutting through hype to explain how technology, regulation, infrastructure, and societal behavior must align for real pr...

If you are stepping into a bigger role, leading through change, or wondering what truly defines leadership beyond strategy and numbers, this conversation is for you.  In this episode of The Pitch & The Catch, Dirk Horn sits down with Andy Zaske, Vice President of the Americas at BW Water, to unpack what leadership looks like when there is no playbook, no pause button, and no margin for comfort...

In this episode, host Dirk Horn sits down with Bhadresh Sutaria, President of AMSOIL INC., to explore how AMSOIL differentiates itself in the highly competitive lubricants industry through innovation, values, and a deep commitment to customer relationships.  The conversation traces AMSOIL’s evolution from pioneering synthetic motor oil in 1972 to becoming a global industrial player, and examines h...

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Jim VanderGiessen, CEO of Pro Refrigeration, to explore how industrial cooling systems power modern dairy farms, breweries, wineries, and food production facilities where reliability is critical.  Jim shares how customer partnerships, hands-on engineering, and decades of learning shaped Pro Refrigeration into a trusted player across food and beverage manufactur...

Today, Dirk sits down with William Bourdeau, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and California farmer operating at the center of the state’s water and food-security challenges.  William shares how water supply decisions shape the future of farming, why domestic food security is a leadership issue, and how discipline, community, and long-term thinking guide his work across agriculture, policy, a...

In this week’s episode of The Pitch and The Catch Podcast, host Dirk Horn explores the intersection of science, innovation, and leadership with Michael Anthonavage, VP of Innovation at Vitaquest and a biochemist who has spent more than 30 years turning complex ideas into practical breakthroughs. They discuss what real empowerment looks like, why innovation begins with recognizing opportunity, and...

Timing is rarely the issue. Staying the course is.  This week on The Pitch & The Catch, host Dirk Horn spoke with Benoit La Salle, President and CEO of Aya Gold & Silver.  Benoit has spent more than three decades building mining companies across commodity cycles, geopolitical shifts, and moments where decisions had to be made years before results were visible. From academia to West Africa...

In the first episode of 2026, Dirk sits down with Daryn Walters—former President of Exmark Manufacturing and senior leader at The Toro Company—to unpack a three-decade career that spanned entrepreneurship, manufacturing, engineering, large-scale operations, and people-centered leadership. Daryn shares how he helped build Exmark from a small operation into an industry force, what he learned about t...

Today Dirk sits down with Brian Fox, a veteran food industry leader who’s helped put millions of meals on people’s tables. Brian shares what 35 years across pasta, pizza, meat, and ingredients have really taught him, from surviving industry fads to leading teams through constant change.  They dive into the truth behind “big food,” why grit beats talent, how to bring people along during transformat...

In this solo episode of The Pitch & The Catch, Dirk Horn shares the story behind his upcoming book The Winning Balance and why it took more than two decades of transformation work to write it. What started as a sales question became a deeper realization about leadership, customer relationships, and why most change efforts fail even when people care.  This episode explores the tension leaders f...

Today Dirk sits down with Dr. Mike Horne, executive coach, OD leader, and author of The People Dividend, for a grounded conversation about what truly drives performance. Mike explains why most issues aren’t “people problems” but system problems, how small actions like simply saying hello can shift culture, and why leaders overcomplicate what should be simple.  They dig into low-energy teams, gener...

Today Dirk sits down with Matteo Marano, a molecular biologist turned top-performing sales leader and now strategist who’s spent 20+ years driving impact across biotech, diagnostics, and data-driven healthcare. They explore how Matteo bridged the worlds of hard science and commercial strategy and why storytelling often matters more than data alone. Along the way, Matteo shares insights on career p...

Dirk sits down with Emir Avdić, CEO of Sebright Products, a 100% employee-owned leader in waste and recycling technology that turns what most companies throw away into new value streams. Emir shares how technical mastery, lean thinking, and true ownership culture drive massive ROI and breakthrough sustainability impact. He also opens up about leadership, vulnerability, and building a company where...

Today, Dirk sits down with Alejandro Iza to explore what it really takes to build reliable solar power in a world of rising demand and constant change. Together they unpack how stability, data and disciplined leadership are reshaping the energy landscape and why the solar age may already be here without us realizing it.  New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to u...

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Keri-Lynne Shaw, a career strategist and founder of The Salary Bump, to explore how ambition can be redefined around clarity, confidence, and connection. From coaching thousands of professionals to negotiating their worth, Keri-Lynne has seen how success changes when people stop chasing titles and start aligning their work with who they are. New episode every T...

Ivo Caixeiro’s career spans from Portugal to New York to Asia; however, his leadership philosophy remains rooted in human connection and adaptability. Today, we explore how he built a global career by staying curious and shaping the future of design-driven retail.   New episodes every Thursday.    Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us!     Stay connected with us here:  Connect with Di...

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Jason Wolcott, Chief Commercial Officer at Twin City Foods, to explore the intricacies of thriving in a competitive commodity market. Discover how innovation, data analytics, and strategic leadership can transform businesses beyond mere price competition. Jason shares his insights on building resilient sales teams, the importance of customer relationships, and...

Join Vaishali Lara Kathuria, a senior investment manager at Norges Bank Investment Management, as she discusses her career path and the choices that have led to her success. In conversation with Dirk, Vaishali shares insights on how to stand out in the finance industry by focusing on what makes you unique. This episode offers practical advice on career planning and the value of being intentional i...

Join Dirk as he uncovers the transformative journey of Christian Demers, revealing the bold decisions and insights that turned startups into global successes. Discover Christian's unique approach to balancing vision with execution and redefining success. This episode offers fresh perspectives on growth and innovation, challenging conventional wisdom with actionable insights.    New episodes every...

The Pitch and The Catch: hosted by Dirk Horn. Coming Thursday, October 30th.