Episode 379 - Josh Smith - Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC

Transcript

Josh Smith (0:00)

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Ryan Reynolds (0:26)

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Josh Smith (0:27)

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Ryan Reynolds (0:30)

Details ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna go with a slightly different format for this Monday and I'm curious to hear how it is received. I think it was pretty cool. Two weeks ago I flew down and I visited Josh Smith and did a podcast with him. He is today's guest and if you consume the podcast through a medium that has video, YouTube or Spotify, you'll notice that I have two main sponsors on every thumbnail. One is Montana Knife Company, the other one is Black Rifle Coffee. And today is an awesome day cause I get to combine the two. But I flew down there and we did a little bit of a vlog to show you behind the scenes and then also a podcast. And then his team did an amazing job and put those two together. So if you're on an audio only format today, you might hear some things or hear us talking about some things. You may not be able to. You'll be able to follow, but it might have a little bit less context if you're in a video platform. And today I would recommend perhaps consuming this via video because you'll get to see the vlog aspect and the podcast aspect. I think it's a really cool blend and I'm curious to hear what the audience thinks. I definitely would not be able to do this with every guest because of the proximity that I have to Josh, but it's also not a bad idea so I can play with it a little bit. So again I said Josh Smith is the guest for today episode 379. Founder of Montana Knife Company if you listen to the podcast, you've heard me do a bunch of ad reads about them. They're just down in Frenchtown, Montana getting ready to move into Missoula when their building is done. It's a really cool brand. Born and bred here in Montana, roots in Montana and definitely growing globally. So that's the episode we're going to get into before we get into that Give me a second. Let me talk about the other co presenting sponsor of the podcast. You guys know what I'm talking about. It's Black rifle coffee. Let's pay the bills real fast. This episode is brought to you by Black Rifle Coffee. Let's mosey on over to their website, shall we? What do we have here? We have a buy one, get one free coffee bags and K cups. Very straightforward. We have the roast. They offer some new releases. They've actually dropped a good amount of new merchandise from soft goods and drinking coffee type of offering. What do we have here? Spring product drop. Gear up for the season with our spring product drop, a limited run of premium apparel and gear designed for the BRCC lifestyle. Each drop features exclusive designs, high quality materials and rugged functionality built on those who live boldly. Let's click on this. What's it look like? Okay. Some coffee cups, some stickers. Is this a 50 cal mounted on top of an old school RV? I support that. Coasters. Oh, I love this mug. We saw this one in the coffee shop. All right, I like this. So they're doing some seasonal releases and what I'm talking about with is their energy drink. I just tapped. I just clicked on that tab. This is one of the best sellers in our store week over week. I am not an energy drink guy. This is not my jam. But people are loving this. Four flavors. Punch, Wildfrost, Ranger Berry and Project Mango. 200 milligrams of caffeine and it's not coffee. It's definitely an energy drink. If that's your thing, I highly recommend you check it out. Go to blackrifflecoffee.com let's get in the show. Okay, got the red smoke. Sun run north or south? West of the smoke.

Summary

Summary of "Cleared Hot" Podcast Episode 379 featuring Josh Smith

Introduction

In Episode 379 of Cleared Hot, host Andy Stumpf engages in a dynamic conversation with Josh Smith, the founder of Montana Knife Company (MKC). Josh brings a multifaceted background, including military service, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. The episode delves into pressing issues such as local housing crises, environmental challenges, business growth amidst supply chain disruptions, and political critiques, all woven seamlessly with personal anecdotes and industry insights.

1. Local Housing Crisis and Urbanization in Montana

Josh Smith opens the discussion by addressing the rapid growth of Kalispell, Montana, highlighting its status as the fastest-growing town in the state last year with an influx of approximately 8,000 residents. He underscores the strain this growth places on local infrastructure and housing affordability.

“Kalispell was the fastest growing town in Montana last year, I think it was 8,000 people. Calm down.” [31:33]

Josh compares Montana’s housing market to that of Texas and California, emphasizing the stark differences in affordability and land availability. He points out that while a starter home in Texas might cost around $250,000, similar properties in Montana are priced between $500,000 to $600,000.

“In Texas, she can buy, you know, like five acres in a 5,000 square foot house. I mean, it was crazy what you could buy down there.” [49:18]

2. Wildfires in California: Causes and Rebuilding Challenges

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the devastating wildfires in California, exploring both natural and human-induced causes. Josh elaborates on the complexities of rebuilding post-fire, including issues with insurance, power lines, and ensuring community safety.

“Once you get a fire going like that, I don't know how you stop it... there's a lot of mitigating risk and threat to life that the power companies have to come through and just make sure everything's actually safe before you can even start.” [22:55]

He discusses the logistical nightmares of rebuilding, such as managing gas lines and power transformers, and the long-term implications for displaced families.

“And then power-wise, you have junction cans and transformers. And you can't assume any transformer is dead.” [22:55]

3. Business Growth and Steel Industry Challenges

Josh provides insights into MKC's operational challenges, particularly the recent bankruptcy of their steel supplier, Crucible. The acquisition of Crucible by Aerosteel in Europe presents significant hurdles in securing American-made steel, which is vital for MKC's production.

“Our steel's American made... All the steel that we bought is American made. The entire industry is trying to figure out a couple things.” [65:00]

They delve into the potential impacts of tariffs under the Trump administration, discussing the need for industry-specific carve-outs to prevent price hikes that could cripple businesses reliant on specialized materials.

“I think there's going to be some kind of carve-out where it's like, hey, this deal is tariffed because, hey, bridge builder guy, you can buy that same steel over here in Pennsylvania.” [65:00]

4. Political Critique and Government Transparency

The conversation shifts to a critical analysis of government transparency, especially concerning high-profile cases like Epstein's. Josh emphasizes the importance of exposing wrongdoing regardless of political affiliations and advocates for balanced criticism across the political spectrum.

“Why can't we just say that this is not the best utilization of our tax dollars?” [70:10]

Andy and Josh discuss the polarized nature of political discourse, arguing against partisan attacks solely based on ideology and stressing the need for objective evaluations of government actions.

“Why can't we be critical of both the left and the right? Two things can be true at once.” [73:58]

5. Personal Anecdotes: Family and Knives

Josh shares personal stories that humanize the discussion, including his experience gifting a chef's knife at his wedding. This anecdote not only showcases MKC’s products but also highlights the practical challenges of integrating high-quality tools into daily life.

“I realized that my middle son Tyler, who is one of the smartest people on earth, was opening a box that was full of staples with it.” [42:08]

They laugh over the unintended uses of quality knives, emphasizing the robustness and durability of MKC's offerings.

“He wanted to open envelopes. I don't try to get into knife fights, but I do open a lot of boxes.” [57:32]

6. Aviation: Helicopter Ownership and Pilot Training

A lively segment features Andy discussing his recent purchase of a Messerschmitt helicopter and the journey of obtaining a pilot's license. Josh expresses a keen interest in helicopter training, highlighting the complexities and safety aspects involved.

“Flying a helicopter is not the hardest thing in the world. But it's not easy by any stretch either.” [98:43]

They delve into technical details about helicopter operations, auto-rotation, and the logistical challenges of maintaining and operating such aircraft in Montana's remote areas.

“When you pull this thing out that a company that actually cares about what you guys are doing, built this blade, will stand behind them, guarantee them for life.” [92:54]

7. Future Outlook: Community and Business Sustainability

Josh and Andy discuss the future trajectory of Montana Knife Company amidst growing economic and environmental challenges. Josh emphasizes the importance of building sustainable businesses that contribute positively to local economies and support a well-paying workforce.

“We need some actual manufacturing companies that need professionals to come and work. We hire professional videographers, engineers, machinists...” [37:53]

They also touch upon the declining school enrollment in Frenchtown, attributing it to high housing costs and the trend of young families moving away in search of affordability.

“Our enrollment in our school here is actually dropping in Frenchtown, if you can believe it.” [38:40]

Conclusion

Episode 379 of Cleared Hot offers a comprehensive exploration of the intertwined challenges and opportunities facing Montana Knife Company and the broader Montana community. Through Josh Smith's insights and personal anecdotes, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of local economic dynamics, environmental crises, and the resilience required to navigate them. The episode underscores the importance of sustainable business practices, community engagement, and balanced political discourse in fostering a thriving and resilient region.

Notable Quotes:

“Kalispell was the fastest growing town in Montana last year, I think it was 8,000 people. Calm down.” [31:33]
“Once you get a fire going like that, I don't know how you stop it... there's a lot of mitigating risk and threat to life that the power companies have to come through and just make sure everything's actually safe before you can even start.” [22:55]
“Why can't we just say that this is not the best utilization of our tax dollars?” [70:10]
“I realized that my middle son Tyler... was opening a box that was full of staples with it.” [42:08]
“Flying a helicopter is not the hardest thing in the world. But it's not easy by any stretch either.” [98:43]
“We need some actual manufacturing companies that need professionals to come and work...” [37:53]

This structured and detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, providing valuable insights for those who haven't listened while maintaining engagement through direct quotes and clear sectioning.