The Deep End with Eric Triplett

S2-E27: "38 Special Productions with Mike Garvey"

Date: March 18, 2026
Guests: Mike Garvey, Jason (guest presence in-studio)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Eric Triplett ("The Pond Digger") and guest Mike Garvey dive into the unlikely partnership behind their new media venture, 38 Special Productions. The conversation centers around their contrasting but complementary personality types—Eric as an Enneagram Type 8 "Challenger" and Mike as a Type 3 "Achiever"—and how their differences fused into creative synergy. They explore lessons of partnership, personal growth, leadership, and the nuts and bolts of launching a content company within the contracting and trades community. Expect candid stories, actionable insights, and plenty of humor as they lay bare the mindset and mechanics driving their collaboration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Contractors to Content Creators: An Accidental Partnership

• How It Began:

  • The pair met at industry events (LCR Summit, Equip) and connected over shared interests in business, personal mastery, and podcasting.

  • Garvey pushed to formalize their venture, muscling through Eric’s natural caution as a “Challenger.”

  • The idea for "38 Special Productions" came about as an homage to their personality types (3 and 8), blending their drives for achievement and challenge.

  • Their partnership is built on mutual respect, a willingness to push boundaries, and learning from each other's strengths.

    Quote:

    • “When you combine an Achiever and a Challenger, you get a dangerous amount of forward movement. It can be scary to some personality types.” — Eric (13:23)
    • "I think we can really create something special together. We're on opposite sides of the country, which is wild. ... I think there's just a lot of synergy and I think we can really make something special." — Mike (34:50)

2. The Enneagram Dynamic: Three Meets Eight

• The Enneagram as Catalyst:

  • Eric introduced the Enneagram at LCR Summit, which sparked deeper self-discovery for Garvey.

  • Eric (Type 8 Challenger): Driven, independent, not easily controlled, thrives on building and leading.

  • Mike (Type 3 Achiever): Strategic, polished, results-oriented, strong desire for public success, yet without the "one-up" attitude Eric sometimes finds challenging in other 3s.

  • Their past professional frustrations (Eric with Type 3 “crew chiefs”) are contrasted against the positive, high-performance synergy of their new alliance.

    Quote:

    • “The crew chiefs in my career that were the most problematic were threes… But, you know, I love Ed Mylett, I love Tony Robbins—and they're threes.” — Eric (07:03, 07:57)
    • "I didn't get any weird, you know, like, trigger vibes. Like, threes have a tendency to over exaggerate. To me, as an eight, I'm like, oh, you're lying to me... but from you, I didn't get that." — Eric (07:57)

3. Building 38 Special Productions: Synergy, Branding & Mission

• Why "38 Special"?

  • Name reflects both their Enneagram types and Law Enforcement/Firefighter (LEO) energy, connecting to Mike’s state trooper past and Eric’s pond business branding.

  • Symbolism: Tactical precision, controlled power, boldness.

    Quote:

    • "When you said 38 Special, it, like, gave me a chubby." — Eric (30:41)
    • “It’s law enforcement, tactical, precision, high standards, controlled power… Controlled content chaos. All wrapped up in one.” — Eric (39:43)

• Branding and Visual Identity:

  • Aura of authority and professionalism, as reflected in vehicle branding and public perception (inspired by real moments with law enforcement).
  • Discussion of avoiding "stolen valor" while leveraging the strong LEO vibe ethically.

4. The Pod House Model: More Than a Podcast

• Pothouse Studios:

  • Studios/creative spaces established in different cities to host relaxed, in-depth conversations with industry leaders and brands.

  • Modeled on the need for richer, more authentic content untethered from the hustle and bustle of convention "Pod Row."

  • Vision: A space for honest debriefs, deeper brand partnerships, content that goes beyond digital noise.

    Quote:

    • "Pod House gives us that space to do that, says, hey, you come back to our facility, we're going to interview you... It's the Unravel content dump." — Eric (44:35)

• Early Experiences & Lessons:

  • Recap of their first Pod House event: chaotic, fun, but also instructive about what brings value to both creators and brand partners.

  • Emphasis on strategic planning (not just chance), with acknowledgment of the need for both grit and moments of silliness.

    Quote:

    • “It didn’t somehow happen. We strategically planned what we should be doing the next day... And we executed it.” — Mike (40:49)

5. The Mission: Why 38 Special?

• Purpose:

  • To support and document the journey of contractors, leaders, and creatives within the trades through dynamic content: podcasts, videos, live streams, and more.

  • Creating a platform for personal development, leadership, and industry innovation.

  • Focused on building a media company that serves as a legacy and growth engine for the trades sector.

    Quote:

    • “It’s a media company… We’re building media around contractors and creators and industry leaders. That’s what I think it’s about.” — Eric (48:02)
    • “If you’re listening to this podcast right now, you are witnessing something in its infancy… build something bigger than either of us alone.” — Eric (50:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [13:23] Eric: “When you combine an Achiever and a Challenger, you get a dangerous amount of forward movement. It can be scary to some personality types.”
• [30:41] Eric: “When you said 38 Special, it, like, gave me a chubby.”
• [34:50] Mike: "I think we can really create something special together. ... I think there's just a lot of synergy."
• [39:43] Eric: “It’s law enforcement, tactical, precision, high standards, controlled power… Controlled content chaos.”
• [44:35] Eric: "Pod House gives us that space… It's the Unravel content dump."
• [48:02] Eric: “It’s a media company… We’re building media around contractors and creators and industry leaders.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:48] Introduction to the show and shift in episode focus
• [03:14] The Enneagram conversation at LCR Summit; personality types revealed
• [06:06–09:14] Exploring challenges and triggers working with Type 3 personalities
• [12:15] The unlikely partnership forms—origins of their collaboration
• [13:11] Enneagram breakdown: 8 (Challenger) vs. 3 (Achiever)
• [17:04–19:06] Developing the 38 Special name; branding inspiration
• [23:32–26:54] "Jump the shark” moment—branding, authenticity, and criticism from peers
• [32:44–34:50] Mike on why the partnership “just made sense”
• [39:43–41:05] "Dangerous synergy" and how their personalities fuel the venture
• [43:18–45:03] Defining the Pod House and 38 Special Productions mission
• [48:02–49:42] The evolving vision for the media company and branding impact
• [50:04–51:00] Final thoughts and encouragement to listeners

Episode Takeaways

• Partnerships in business succeed when different personality types are self-aware, open, and respectful of each other’s strengths.
• Exploring frameworks like the Enneagram can unlock new pathways for collaboration, self-mastery, and leadership—even (and perhaps especially) among tradespeople.
• Authentic branding and personal stories have the power to connect, even when they're misunderstood or challenged by outsiders.
• “Controlled chaos” is a feature, not a bug, in innovative ventures—so long as it’s driven with strategy and integrity.

This episode offers a blueprint for entrepreneurs and contractors eager to build something lasting—not by going it alone, but by boldly combining perspectives, challenging limits, and forging new ground together.