Episode 381 - Greg Putnam - Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC

Transcript

Greg Putnam (0:00)

Beautiful Anonymous changes each week. It defies genres and expectations. For example, our most recent episode, I.

Andy Stumpf (0:07)

Talked to a woman who survived a murder attempt by her own son.

Greg Putnam (0:10)

But just the week before that, we just talked the whole time about Star Trek.

Andy Stumpf (0:14)

We've had other recent episodes about sexting in languages that are not your first language or what it's like to get weight loss surgery. It's unpredictable.

Greg Putnam (0:23)

It's real, it's honest, it's raw. Get Beautiful Anonymous wherever you listen to podcasts.

Andy Stumpf (0:29)

Good morning, everybody. I hope you all had a great weekend. My guest today is Greg Putnam. He's a former Navy SEAL and current owner of Little Belt Cattle Company. Cattle company north of Bozeman, Montana. Now, you might ask yourself, did they call it Little Belt because he's so tiny? No, they didn't. Although he is very we, if you know what I mean. They called it that because that's the mountain range that's right there. Greg has been on before. God damn. So he. His career mostly was in the SDVs, seal delivery vehicles. And I'm going to be honest with you, they terrified me because I didn't really know what they did other than spend an ungodly amount of time in the water, far longer than I would ever want to spend. So anytime that I've ever seen one, and there's only been one time that I've seen it for real, I went in the other direction because I just didn't want to get put inside of it. He opens with a story about perhaps exactly why that is the case. So episode 381 with former Navy Seal, current businessman Greg Putnam. Now, before we dive in, let me pay the bills. Today's episode is brought to you by Black Rifle Coffee. That's right. You know, they've been a part of this podcast for years now. They helped me bring this podcast to everyone for free. I've been a fan of the brand, a part of the brand for quite some time now. I own one of their coffee shops up here in Montana, currently the only one in Montana, and it's been a hell of a ride. But today, let's talk about their website. So let's head over there right now. First thing I'm looking at. Elixir. I don't know how to say this. Vitae. Vitae. I don't know. Its origin is from Mexico. The region is. I'm not even gonna try to say that. I feel like I know how to say that. But I'm not gonna embarrass myself further. This is an example of one of the bags of coffee that you can get if you join the ecs. The exclusive coffee subscription. It's gonna be one bag a month. Now if that's not enough for you, don't worry. I just scroll down here. All these other bags, you can get those on the regular coffee subscription as well. You don't have to limit yourself to just the ECs. You could do the normal coffee subscription as well. They have a full selection of everything that you could need. If you're a coffee lover or just a fan of the brand, you could fly the flag metaphorically. Hats, T shirts. I think I've seen them do some shorts before as well. Not currently though. Mugs. Things to make coffee in, things to take coffee on the go, all of those things. They also have energy drinks, which I'll be the first to admit I'm not a fan of energy drinks. But we sell these in the coffee shop and they are flying. So for people who like energy drinks, I highly recommend you check them out. Four flavors Black Rifle Energy that comes in Freedom Punch, Wild Frost, Ranger Berry and Project Mango. Really a smattering there, covering a lot of it. They have a loyalty program. You can join their email campaign. All of those things. I also recommend you check out their apparel section. Spend a good amount of time on there. They make some amazing designs. Everybody knows why I like this brand. 1. I like the people. I like what they stand for and it's just a part of my life at this point. Let's get into the show. After you go over to www.blackrifflecoffee.com. let's go.

Summary

Cleared Hot: Episode 381 - Greg Putnam

Released on April 7, 2025

Hosts: Andy Stumpf & Greg Putnam

1. Introduction

In Episode 381 of Cleared Hot, host Andy Stumpf welcomes Greg Putnam, a former Navy SEAL and the current owner of Little Belt Cattle Company in Montana. The episode delves deep into Greg's transformative journey from military service to entrepreneurship, exploring the challenges he faced both in the battlefield and the business world. Their candid conversation offers listeners an insightful look into leadership, resilience, and the interplay between politics and personal ventures.

2. Greg Putnam’s Military Background

Greg Putnam served as a Navy SEAL, primarily in the SDVs (Seal Delivery Vehicles), where he undertook rigorous training and operations. Reflecting on his SEAL experience, Greg shares:

“I'm shocked that I'm still alive on some of the absolutely dumbest I have ever done in my life under the guise of being a special operations.”
— Greg Putnam [32:05]

He discusses the physical and psychological demands of SEAL training, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and the harsh realities that differ significantly from Hollywood portrayals.

3. Challenges in Political Campaigns

Transitioning from military life, Greg became involved in political campaigns alongside his business partner, Tim Sheehy. They faced relentless negative campaigning aimed at undermining their reputation. Greg recounts:

“They launched a systematic attack with tons of funding, like a million dollars a week in negative campaign ads directed at making us look like terrible people.”
— Greg Putnam [08:25]

Andy probes Greg about the emotional toll, to which Greg responds candidly:

“The negative campaigns didn't just attack policies; they went after our families, businesses, nothing was off-limits. It was a scare tactic to deter good people from entering politics.”
— Greg Putnam [10:37]

This relentless negativity not only threatened their business but also served as a deterrent for potential candidates aspiring to bring positive change.

4. Transition to Cattle Ranching

Post-military and amidst political turbulence, Greg shifted focus to agriculture, founding Little Belt Cattle Company. He emphasizes the significance of vertical integration in the cattle industry:

“By keeping all phases of cattle production within our system, we ensure quality from start to finish, similar to how we operated in the military by maintaining control over every aspect.”
— Greg Putnam [85:10]

This approach allowed Greg and Tim to maintain high standards, streamline operations, and build a reliable supply chain that caters directly to consumers and local businesses.

5. Running a Vertically Integrated Cattle Company

Greg details the intricacies of managing a vertically integrated cattle business:

Genetic Selection & Nutrition: Ensuring cattle possess the genetic traits and nutrition necessary for optimal growth.
Pasture Management: Implementing rotational grazing to prevent overgrazing and maintain pasture health.
Market Integration: Partnering with businesses like Black Rifle Coffee to create synergistic marketing strategies.

He shares insights into the operational challenges, such as maintaining consistent supply and managing customer relationships:

“Consistency is key. You can't have a slip in quality because restaurants and consumers rely on us for reliable, high-quality beef.”
— Greg Putnam [117:47]

Greg also highlights the importance of local beef production for food security, asserting that:

“Food security is national security. By producing locally, we bolster America's competitive advantage and ensure a stable food supply.”
— Greg Putnam [124:34]

6. Coping with Negative Campaigns and Business Impact

The negative political campaigns against Greg and Tim had tangible impacts on their business. Customers began distancing themselves to avoid political affiliations, leading to a temporary decline in sales. Greg elaborates:

“We experienced an $8,000 to $10,000 sales decline from businesses that wanted to avoid any association with our political stance. It was frustrating, but we focused on maintaining quality and building new customer relationships.”
— Greg Putnam [138:31]

Despite the setbacks, their commitment to quality and strategic partnerships enabled them to recover and even expand their market presence.

7. The Importance of Local Beef Production

Greg passionately advocates for locally produced beef, emphasizing transparency and traceability:

“Consumers today want to know exactly where their food comes from. By controlling our supply chain, we provide transparency and build trust with our customers.”
— Greg Putnam [117:47]

He contrasts this with the segmented nature of the traditional cattle industry, where cattle are often sold and processed far from their origin, diminishing traceability and consumer connection.

8. Insights on Politics and System Corruption

Greg offers a critical perspective on the political system, suggesting that systemic corruption and negative campaigning stifle genuine candidates:

“The system is so toxic that even good, service-driven individuals find themselves corrupted or overwhelmed by the relentless negativity.”
— Greg Putnam [86:06]

He reflects on the difficulties of maintaining integrity within a system that rewards negativity over positive change, underscoring the need for reform to encourage more authentic leadership.

9. Lessons Learned from Military in Business

Drawing parallels between military service and business operations, Greg underscores the value of discipline, strategic planning, and adaptability:

“Just as in the military, in business, you have to plan meticulously, adapt to changing circumstances, and lead with integrity to build a successful operation.”
— Greg Putnam [125:34]

He emphasizes that the resilience and leadership skills honed during his SEAL tenure have been instrumental in navigating the challenges of the cattle industry.

10. Closing Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, Greg and Andy reflect on the intertwined nature of Greg's military background and his entrepreneurial spirit. Greg expresses pride in contributing to local food systems and supporting his community through high-quality beef production.

“By focusing on quality and building strong relationships, we’re not just running a business; we’re fostering a sustainable and transparent food system that benefits our community.”
— Greg Putnam [85:10]

Andy commends Greg's dedication and resilience, highlighting the valuable lessons listeners can glean from Greg's journey.

Notable Quotes

“Don’t go into the military for financial independence.”
— Andy Stumpf [22:54]
“Food security is national security.”
— Greg Putnam [124:34]
“Consistency is key. You can’t have a slip in quality because restaurants and consumers rely on us for reliable, high-quality beef.”
— Greg Putnam [117:47]
“The system is so toxic that even good, service-driven individuals find themselves corrupted or overwhelmed by the relentless negativity.”
— Greg Putnam [86:06]

Conclusion

Episode 381 of Cleared Hot offers a compelling narrative of Greg Putnam's evolution from a Navy SEAL to a successful cattle rancher. Through his experiences, Greg sheds light on the challenges of combating political negativity, the importance of local agriculture, and the lessons learned from military service that transcend into effective business leadership. Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for the resilience required to navigate both the battlegrounds of politics and the rugged terrains of Montana's cattle industry.