Richard Sherman Podcast - Robert Saleh to Titans, 49ers DC Talk, Bills Fire McDermott & NFL’s 18-Game Push | Richard Sherman NFL

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Richard Sherman Podcast - Robert Saleh to Titans, 49ers DC Talk, Bills Fire McDermott & NFL’s 18-Game Push
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Richard Sherman (with co-host/analyst Mitchell)
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Main Theme

This episode dives into several notable NFL storylines: Robert Saleh’s new head coaching job with the Tennessee Titans, speculation and analysis around the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator vacancy, reactions to the Buffalo Bills parting ways with Sean McDermott, and thoughtful commentary on the NFL’s ongoing push toward an 18-game regular season.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Robert Saleh Hired by the Tennessee Titans

(03:07 – 08:30)

• Sherman's Initial Reaction:
  Richard Sherman expresses mixed feelings about Robert Saleh taking the Titans job.

  • “Not because I don't love Saleh... I thought he would go to more established teams like Baltimore or Pittsburgh. It just felt right. He ended up with the Tennessee Titans, a job he really wanted, a job he felt like he could do great things with.” (03:36)
  • Sherman points out positives: $100M in salary cap space, a top-five draft pick, and Saleh’s affinity for QB Cam Ward.
  • However, he details the challenges: “For the most part, in terms of roster building, the cupboard’s pretty bare.” – noting the Titans lost stars like A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry, and there was unrest about how Mike Vrabel’s tenure ended.

• Titans’ Structural Challenges:
  Sherman underscores the strength of the division (Houston, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis improving), and that the Titans face “a real uphill battle.” Yet he emphasizes Saleh’s strengths in culture building and defensive leadership.

• Quote:

  “If anybody can do it, he can. He's an incredible man, an incredible leader of men, an incredible culture builder and coach. But this is tough… They're gonna have their work cut out for them.” (06:20, Sherman)

• Mitchell’s (Co-host) Perspective:
  Suggests Saleh may benefit from lower immediate expectations in Tennessee compared to the Jets.

  • “This fan base is fully aware this team needs some time to develop... Robert Salah is going to bring new energy. I think his focus has got to be on making sure that defense becomes a force.” (07:01)

• On Hiring an Experienced OC:
  Sherman acknowledges the importance of the offensive coordinator hire and is hopeful for Saleh’s success, emphasizing fans will see elite defense and competitive games. (07:59)

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2. San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Vacancy

(12:36 – 16:20)

• Co-host:

  • Jokingly asks Sherman if he’ll throw his hat in the ring for the 49ers DC job.
    • “You know, you're in and around these teams constantly, Richard, when are you going to put your hat in the ring of a coaching job?” (12:36)

• Sherman’s Response:
  Sherman lightheartedly declines but gives a detailed rundown of candidates and organizational challenges.

  • “I think they're going to go with an established coordinator. I think they tried to go with, you know, higher from within with Nick Sorensen last time... just didn't work out.” (13:25)
  • Names Jim Schwartz and Raheem Morris as ideal candidates and speculates about Brian Flores (but doubts his availability).
  • Discusses Gus Bradley as a potential internal option but questions whether his scheme is aggressive enough for Kyle Shanahan.
  • Mentions up-and-coming coaches K.J. Wright and Deshaun Shield as future coordinator candidates.

• Honest Context:

  “So many friends and, hey, I owe you a favor, and I owe you two favors... I don't get involved with all that. But it would be fantastic if they could get one of those guys.” (15:12, Sherman)

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3. Buffalo Bills Fire Sean McDermott; GM Promoted

(16:20 – 19:22)

• Co-host:
  Questions Sherman about the Bills’ firing McDermott after yet another playoff disappointment.

• Sherman’s Analysis:
  Sherman finds it odd the GM is being promoted while McDermott is fired.

  • “If you fire the head coach, everybody got to go. It's a house cleaning… The guy who's drafted two Pro Bowlers in six drafts is the one that keeps his job and the head coach goes?” (16:42)

  • He argues roster shortcomings and lack of receiver/O-line talent made it impossible for McDermott to go further, calling him “a fantastic coach.”

  • “I honestly would have said if you fired the GM and kept the coach, people would have been like, yeah, I think that's the right call. You need somebody else in there to make better decisions, to give them more talent.” (18:00, Sherman)

• On Next Bills Coach:

  • Co-host wonders who could replace McDermott. Sherman says the Bills’ “football culture” means they need a coach who matches the team's gritty identity—not a system guy or “new school” personality.

  • “You gotta almost embody the team within the head coach... They need one of those grizzly, hard, hardened football looking guys, guys that look like they’re football guys with the beard and... just crazed look.” (19:22, Sherman)

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4. NFL’s Push for 18-Game Regular Season and International Games

(20:15 – 24:19)

• Setting the Context:
  Co-host brings up Robert Kraft’s public comments about the NFL’s plans: expanding to 18 regular-season games, cutting preseason to two games, and making international games mandatory for all teams.

• Sherman’s Reaction:

  • Recalls being on the players’ side during previous negotiations: “I was in those conversations in that CBA and they fought their butts off to try to get 18 games. Our players did not accept it. Our players needed more than they were willing to give...” (20:36)

  • Highlights the increase in player injuries and the physical toll of more games.

  • Cites a past, discarded proposal: “There were talks of having a 16-game limit which would make it really interesting… but it was a conversation for a while.” (22:05)

  • Warns that a 22-game max (with playoff runs) is “an incredible difference” for athlete health and career longevity.

  • Memorable Quote:

    "This generation isn't built like that and they're not built to practice like that. So they're going to have to find better solutions. And more games isn't necessarily the solution to make this game less injury prone." (21:50, Sherman)

• On Two Bye Weeks:

  • Co-host floats the idea of two byes per team to offset the increased schedule.
  • Sherman: “It wouldn't change at all. That doesn't help... all the travel, all the miles that you're putting on your body… all those things have to be considered.” (23:55)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Titans Challenges:
  “You trade away the heart of the team. Derrick Henry. You let Derrick Henry walk. There's so many things that, that have happened.” (04:45, Sherman)

• On Saleh’s Fit:
  “If your young quarterback is who he's been labeled to be... you guys will be in great hands.” (08:00, Sherman)

• On Coaching Culture:
  "You gotta almost embody the team within the head coach... They need one of those grizzly, hard, hardened football looking guys..." (19:22, Sherman)

• On 18-Game Push:
  “Not to go, I’ve gone, I’M talking over, talking this conversation, but it’s something that they're going to keep pushing and, and the players are going to have to understand and think about what they're willing to give and what they're willing to accept to, to, to give the owners 18 games.” (23:15, Sherman)

• Closing Encouragement:
  “Keep fighting the good fight. This is the hardest time to keep those New Year's resolutions. This is around the time people start to fold. Don't be one of them.” (24:43, Sherman)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Saleh to Titans discussion: 03:07 – 08:30
• 49ers DC speculation: 12:36 – 16:20
• Bills fire McDermott & promote GM: 16:20 – 19:22
• NFL’s 18-game season & international expansion reaction: 20:15 – 24:19
• Closing motivational sign-off: 24:43

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Tone and Style

Richard Sherman brings a candid, conversational, and thoughtful approach. He provides unvarnished opinions, often linking personal experience or direct NFL knowledge to the analysis. The co-host maintains a supportive, inquisitive tone that lets Sherman explore topics deeply.

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Summary

This episode expertly weaves through the latest major NFL coaching and team developments, providing context and personal perspective from a player’s and analyst’s point of view. Richard Sherman delivers nuanced critiques and supportive insights, making this essential listening for fans trying to make sense of the league's offseason fireworks, while grappling with larger trends like player health and the globalization of the NFL. Sherman’s voice remains grounded in authenticity, football wisdom, and genuine affection for the game—as well as a hearty sense of humor.

Transcript

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[Richard Sherman]

To the Richard Sherman Podcast and I just want to say I appreciate you guys. You can be getting your NFL content from anywhere, but you're here with me. I'm thankful for you. So hit that sub button so you can get the notifications when I'm dropping a new episode. I all love. Hope you guys are having a great New Year's, accomplishing all your New Year's resolutions and staying healthy. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. Mitchell Some head coaches finding jobs. My guy, Robert Salah lands with the Tennessee Titans. My guy Jeff Halfley ends up with the Miami Dolphins. What's going on? If I'm being honest, Mitchell, I don't love it. I don't love it. Not because I don't love Salah. And I thought he would go to to establish teams like Baltimore or Pittsburgh or somewhere like that. It just felt right. He ended up with the Tennessee Titans, a job he really wanted, a job he felt like he could do great things with. He loves Cam Ward. Obviously, a hundred million dollars in in salary cap space is, is enticing to anybody. They got a top five draft pick, but for the most part, in terms of roster building, the cupboard's pretty bare. You know, they, they, they got some, some, some talent on the offensive side. They got Simmons. But it just seems like things haven't gone well there and I didn't like how things ended with Mike Vrabel. I thought he was doing a really good job there and I thought they got got rid of him prematurely for no reason after trading away his best players and getting rid of his best players. You trade away A.J. brown and you're like, huh, I can't figure out why you're not winning. It's like, hey, if you, if you don't trade away A.J. brown, it's a whole different team. You, you trade away the heart of the team. Derrick Henry. You let Derrick Henry walk. There's so many things that, that have happened. Obviously They've got ownership that, that's trying to change everything, change that outlook. They got Mike Bergonzi from, from the Kansas City Chiefs to, to run this team, to run the process. So they got somebody who knows what championship culture looks like, who knows how to build a championship roster, who was, who was around a dynasty of a team with, with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes and all those guys. But it's just a, a real uphill battle with what the Houston Texans have, what the Jacksonville Jaguars have done with Liam Cohen and that staff and that defense and, and even the Indianapolis, Indianapolis Colts early on in that season with Daniel Jones and, and, and Jonathan Taylor and that defense. They now have Sauce Gardner and, and, and they, they, they just. It's a tough, it's a tougher division than it once was. And I think sometimes you get in a situation where you're like, I think I can do it. But it's such an uphill climb. And for his second hit coaching job to be with this team, it, it, it, it's, it's him taking on a, a really great challenge. And if anybody can do it, he can. He's an incredible man, an incredible leader of men, an incredible culture builder and coach. But this is, this is tough. This is tough. They're gonna have, they're gonna have their work cut out for them in terms of getting talented to come to Nashville, getting guys to believe. And obviously Mitchell Green makes people believe in things. They, you know, they believe in magic. You can pay them to believe in the magic. Mitchell, you can pay people to believe. And if they can build an offensive line and defensive line that's aggressive and, and, and sound in the secondary, you know, you can find corners and safeties that can play sound football. I'm interested to see how it goes.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

You know what, Richard? I think after coming from the New York jets experience, with that being his first head coaching job in such a high pressure environment where I think expectations just are frankly totally unrealistic from that fan base on a year in, year out basis, I think he takes a lower pressure job in Tennessee. I, I think this fan base is fully aware this team needs some time to develop. They need to, you know, get their ducks in a row. From a personnel perspective, what Robert Salah is going to bring is new energy. And I think his focus has got to be on making sure that defense becomes a force. You know, plays with his identity similar to what we saw in New York. I think the right move for him though, is who he's going to hire at OC Because Robert Sal has already mentioned that he's going to have full control of this defense. If he brings in somebody with experience, maybe a former head coach, would that make you feel better about this Tennessee Titans team and this job?

[Richard Sherman]

We'll see. We'll see. I've been surprised before he got a five year deal. I'm thankful for that. Hopefully it's life changing money for him and his family, but he's going to do a fantastic job. I think the Tennessee Titans fans, a lot of them don't know Robert Sala and what he brings, but he's going to have your your team playing elite defense. You're going to be in just about every game. And if your young quarterback is who he's, who he's been labeled to be, and who he's been advertised to be, you guys will be in great hands.

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[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

Leaves a vacancy at the defensive coordinator position for the San Francisco 49ers. You know, obviously we've seen this play out Once and there was a slide back in production from the San Francisco 49ers. So, Richard, I'm going to ask you, and we might have some breaking news here on the Richard Truman podcast, or we might not. We'll see. Richard, I'm going to pose you with a question here. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring for the defensive coordinator position at the San Francisco 49ers? I know we've got a lot of folks that follow this podcast that would love to see it clearly. You know, football, you bring a good energy. You know, you're in and around these teams constantly. Richard, when are you going to put your hat in the ring of a coaching job? Because I got to tell you something, you seem like a hand in glove fit.

[Richard Sherman]

Mitchell. God dang it. You. You, you convince me. I'm about to text guy right now. No, no, no, Mitchell. My head is not going to be thrown in the ring for the coordinator job for the San Francisco 49ers. I think they're going to go with an established coordinator. I think they, they, they tried to go with, you know, Higher from within with Nick Sorensen last time and just didn't feel right about how things ended up. A great man, great coach. Just didn't work out how, how they needed it to. I think they try to get an established. They go out there and put feelers out. If Jim Schwartz doesn't get the, get the job with the Cleveland Browns, I'm sure Kyle Shanahan is going to throw everything, including a kitchen sink at him to try to get him in San Francisco. That would be a home run, an absol slam hit. If he could get a guy like that in the building, if he can, I believe Raheem Morris would be a, a guy that he calls and has a conversation with in terms of that job. Those are some of the names that I know they're interested in. That, that would make, make a lot of sense. But, but you just never know how it's going to shake out. There's so many openings, so many, so many things to still be determined. So many things up in the air, so many moving parts and staffs being assembled and, and phone calls being made because there's so many friends and, and hey, I owe you a favor and I owe you two favors, and I owe you three favors. And, and I don't, I don't get involved with all that. But it would be fantastic if they could get one of those guys. I've heard the, the name Flores floated around by the fans I'm not sure that will work out. I think he gets a head coaching job. It just looks right in Pittsburgh for him. You know, you just see it. I don't know if that's just the Tomlin in it. Tomlin me. But I think, I think he makes a lot of sense in Pittsburgh and I think that's, you know, I know nothing about that process. I'm not. I have no internal information, but that would make sense for me from the outside looking in. And so I don't think he's an option. But we'll see. We'll see. I know Kyle's gonna. Gonna do his best to make the right decision and get the right guy in the building that can lead this defense and help elevate it. Gus Bradley's obviously already in that building. A guy that's. That. That coached me in, in Seattle in 2011, 2012, before going on to the Jacksonville Jaguars to be the head coach there. A guy who understands football at a high level, runs a great scheme, runs a sound scheme. I'm not sure it's aggressive enough for what Kyle Shanahan is going to want, but I'm sure he's going to have a chance at this job and have a chance to interview ford. My guy, K.J. wright, the fans want him to get a chance to be a coordinator. I think he's going to get the. Get a chance to be a LB coach and get his own room before that. But I know he's going to be a coordinator here soon. No question about that. I don't know if it'll be this year, but in the next couple years, I expect my guy desean Shield, who's been out in Miami the last couple years, and KJ Wright to be coordinator. Names you hear around the world.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

Would love to see. Would love to see that. In other news, the Buffalo Bills have moved on from Sean McDermott. Are you surprised to see this, you know, play out so quickly? I know expectations were extremely high for Buffalo, as they are every year, and it was a heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos. But are you surprised at all by Sean McDermott's firing?

[Richard Sherman]

I'm less surprised by the firing as I'm surprised by the promotion of the gm. Like, that's the part that felt like one of those situations where if, if you fire the head coach, everybody got to go. It's. It's a house cleaning. It doesn't seem like, hey, the guy who's drafted two Pro Bowlers in, in six drafts is the one that keeps his job and the head coach goes, hey, hey, we didn't give you much to work with out there. There's not a lot of talent at receiver. The old line is, you got. You got a great left tackle, but a little banged up. The D line is, hey, we're trying the, The. The secondary. We put a lot of. We put a lot of draft capital into, but it didn't work out how we wanted it to. But, hey, you need to make a Super Bowl. And when he goes into a meeting with the GM and the. The ownership group and tell them, hey, you got to help me out here. Like, you're not giving me a championship. This isn't a championship roster. This isn't a Super bowl roster. I took it about as far as you can expect it to be taken with how it's currently constructed. And they said, what, you're talking about us, get out of here. And I. It's just an odd situation. And so I, I just don't agree with the decision, because he's a fantastic coach. His winning percentage says that, the respect he has for his players. Sure, it's been kind of a cyclical deal with them not getting past that divisional for four of the past five years. And you feel like, hey, they're kind of wasting Josh Allen's prime. But I don't. I don't know if he's the problem. They don't have enough talent. I. I honestly would have said if you fired the GM and kept the coach, people would have been like, yeah, I think that's the right call. You need somebody else in there to make better decisions, to give them more. More talent and better personnel. But to give him a promotion just feels like. I, I don't. I. I don't get that. I don't get that at all. And, And I don't think a lot of the people, the fans in Buffalo get it, because it doesn't make a ton of sense. I mean, they're gonna have to explain what happened and what he's done to earn himself a promotion with. With the way this roster has looked and, and the, the way this team has performed.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

You're not wrong about that at all. I mean, I'm surprised as well, because Sean McDermott, you feel like you. Like you said, he's taking the car as far as you can take it and ran out of gas because Brandon Bean hasn't been servicing it enough. We'll see. And I don't know how many other better options there are out there other than Sean McDermott. Who do you think would be the best fit. I mean, you know, when you have Josh Allen, I think that's really all that matters right now. With the prospective coach looking at this.

[Richard Sherman]

Opportunity, who looks right in, in Buffalo. As somebody who's gone to Buffalo a few times and, and got to interact with their fan base in the city, you gotta almost embody the team within the head coach like there. You gotta have a certain look about you. And the same was true with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. You, unfortunately, Mike McDaniel does not fit those, those, those teams. It works in Miami, no question about it. I think it could work a lot of places. I just don't think Buffalo, New York, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are those places that it works. They need one of those grizzly, hard, hardened football looking guys, guys that look like they're football guys with the, with the beard and you know, just, just crazed look. I mean it's, it's, they look like football coaches and that's what you, I expect them to have in Baltimore. I mean, in Buffalo they're going to get a football coach who has experience.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

Richard, before we go, I gotta ask, you know, Patriots owner Robert Kraft was recently on doing an interview and he was talking about what the NFL is pushing for the future. He says that the NFL wants to move to 18 regular season games. They want to reduce preseason from three to two games and ultimately they want every team to play an international game each season. What are your reaction to this?

[Richard Sherman]

I mean, it's not surprising. It's what they've been saying for years. This is what they've been saying since before we went to 17 games. And I was in those conversations in that CBA and they fought their butts off to try to get 18 games. Our players did not accept it. Our players needed more than they were willing to give in order to move to 18 games. And taking away a preseason game and, and, and doing a little bit of the, the small changes that they were doing wasn't enough for us to move that needle. And obviously I'm not as involved in these conversations anymore, but there's going to have to be a larger concession in order for them to, to, to have that. You look at the injuries and the increase in injuries and how many ACL injuries there's been this year to, to really premium and, and superstar players throughout the National Football League and, and that's what's tough. You look at Nick Bosa, you look at no further than Patrick Mahomes and, and what he's dealt with. There's been a, a lot of guys that have went down this year to major injuries. And, and, and some of you know, I don't think there's any one particular. Cause everybody's like oh man, they need to put practice more. They need, they need more. They need to beat up their bodies more and condition their bodies more. I, is that the answer? Maybe. I mean there, there were injuries before when they were doing two a days and stuff. Guys, I understand, I understand what fans want. Guys aren't going to go back to that. Guys aren't going to do it. I'm sorry. They're not going to go back to, to practicing that way. And, and, and, and, and coaches aren't going to coach that way. You're not going to have successful teams. I'm sorry I sound like an old guy, but this generation isn't built like that and they're not built to practice like that. So they're going to have to find better solutions. And more games isn't necessarily the solution to make this game less injury prone. To make players less injury prone. Putting more games on them. And there are a number of things talked about in those, those meetings. Obviously they never came to fruition, but there were talks of having a 616 game limit which would make it really interesting to, to, to coach football games because you'd have to find a way to quarterback the other two playoffs. The other two games. Mitchell, if every player can only play 16 games and obviously that didn't end up being something that, that made its way into the collective bargain agreement. But it was a conversation for a while trying to figure out ways to, to not put more games and more plays on these players but, but still get the revenue and all that. And you, you just couldn't, you couldn't come up with a scenario where it made sense to, to play Patrick Mahomes and these guys 16 games and then other two games you're playing whoever the backup is and you know they're going to have to play two games like it's, it makes for a really weird scenario but you have to do something to protect these players. That's a lot of games and a lot of wear and tear on the bodies and teams that go to the playoffs and play in the wild card game. That's now 22 games that you could potentially be playing in a year. You know, that's, that's an incredible difference and that's huge when you talk about the longevity of players and the career length and what you expect to get out of them. So not to go, I've gone, I'M talking over, talking this conversation, but it's something that they're going to keep pushing and, and the players are going to have to understand and think about what they're willing to give and what they're willing to accept to, to, to give the owners 18 games.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

You don't have to go into detail, but if I presented you with the option for these teams to have two bye weeks, would your mentality shift of.

[Richard Sherman]

Going, it wouldn't change at all. That, that doesn't, that doesn't help. I mean especially what they're saying. Every team has, has one international game like those, those, you know, all the travel, all the, the miles that you're putting on your body in an airplane and trying to get prepared for a game, all that, that, that wears on these kids body, these players bodies and, and all those things have to be considered.

[Podcast Co-host / Analyst]

I'm right there with you. It sounds cool on its face, but I think in execution you're going to be, you know, opening a big can of worms with injuries. And just like you said, Richard, you know better than anybody the exhausting level of competition you got to expect to play at all year long. Playing upwards of 22 games just sounds ridiculous. Richard, it's always a pleasure sitting down with you my friend. I will let you sign us off.

[Richard Sherman]

Well, thank you guys for joining us. This is a crazy time in the National Football League. There's winning, there's losing, there's hiring, there's firing. But as always, you know you can get your NFL content here and I appreciate you. I love you guys. Here's a hug from me again, as always, keep those New Year's resolutions. Keep fighting. Keep fighting a good fight. This is the hardest time to keep those New Year's resolutions. This is around the time people start to fold. Don't be one of them. Love you guys. Stay tuned and hit that sub button if you know.

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[Liquid IV Promoter 1]

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[Richard Sherman]

Boom.

[Liquid IV Promoter 2]

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[Podcast Announcer]

At CVS, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night, and we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit [e-mail] or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.

[Public Investing Advertiser / Podcast Host]

Janice Torres here and I'm Austin Hankwitz. We host the podcast Mind the Small Business Success Stories, produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks.

[Podcast Announcer]

We're back for season four to talk to some incredible small business owners.

[Richard Sherman]

The big thing about working at tech is that it's ever evolving, ever changing. Everyone's a rookie. That's how fast the industry is changing. So what I'm really excited about is to be part of that change.

[Public Investing Advertiser / Podcast Host]

So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.