Irregardless

Listen & subscribe

Irregardless. Debated word. Undebatable energy.
Hosted by Shep Hickey, CEO of Bryzos, Irregardless is the no-filter podcast where the metals industry kicks back and speaks freely. From steel market trends and tech to wild stories and left-field tangents, this show brings real talk with real people from all corners of the industry—and beyond. But we don’t stop there. Expect discussions on leadership, startups, entrepreneurship, and the unpredictable paths that connect it all. It’s brought to you by the team behind Bryzos—the digital marketplace built for the metals world. We’re on a mission to bring speed, transparency, and zero BS to buying and selling metals. No script. No fluff. Irregardless of the topic, we’re gonna talk about it. Check out the app and join the community at Bryzos.com

Irregardless

Bryzos

Entrepreneurship

18 episodes / 270 listens

18: Staci Thomas - From Mandarin to Machine Learning

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Staci Thomas, Professor of Practice in Communications at Washington University’s Olin Business School, to dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI. With a rich background as a Mandarin translator in the U.S. Air Force and a lifelong passion for language and culture, Staci brings a unique and thoughtful perspective to the conversation. Toget...

1hr 27m • Jun 04

17: Mike Wayte - Clinch NW and the Digital Shift

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Mike Wayte, Principal and Founder of Clinch Northwest, a Seattle-based manufacturer and supplier of self-clinching sheet metal fasteners. Mike shares his journey through the metals and fasteners industry, what inspired him to start Clinch NW, and how his hands-on experience helped shape the company’s direction. They dive into Clinch NW’s tran...

1hr 18m • May 28

16: Allen Heggs - DJing, Body Batteries & Building Legacies

In this laugh-out-loud episode of Irregardless, host Shep Hickey sits down with Allen Heggs, second-generation owner of Helcrist LLC, a family-run steel fabrication and erection company based in Philadelphia, PA. From residential and commercial builds to hotels, schools, and pharmaceutical projects, Helcrist’s legacy runs deep—and Allen is already preparing the next generation to carry it even ...

1hr 27m • May 21

15: Eric Gilbert - ANOVA, Authority & the Art of Leading

This week on Irregardless, Shep sits down with Eric Gilbert, CEO of ANOVA Furnishings — a St. Louis-based company known for crafting commercial-grade outdoor site furnishings like benches, tables, and receptacles. As a second-generation leader, Eric shares what it’s been like taking the reins from his father and steering the business into its next chapter. The two dive into everything from entr...

1hr 21m • May 14

14: Joe Tierney - Drums, Data & Doing It All

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with the one and only Joe Tierney—a Broadcast and I.T. Specialist who wears more hats than most people own. If you’ve seen our Cracking the Code mini-series, you’ve already seen Joe’s work. He was the quiet force behind the scene, helping to capture the Bryzos team with clarity, creativity, and authenticity. But this time, we’re flipping the scrip...

13: Jeff Hasty - K9s, Construction & the Power of the Mind

From the bite suit to the welding mask—Jeff Hasty’s career path is anything but ordinary. Jeff was raised around welding and pipe fitting, following his dad's career from state to state. As one of the best welders Jeff’s ever known, his dad gave him an early look into the world he’d eventually return to. Initially, Jeff was pulled toward law enforcement after a Ride-Along sparked a new passion....

1hr 16m • Apr 30

12: Dennis Arrowood - Strategy, Sales, & the Bryzos Advantage

Dennis Arrowood, a 28-year veteran of the metals industry and Sales Operations Specialist at Ryerson, joins Shep for a conversation that spans tanks, transitions, and technology. From his early days driving armored vehicles in the U.S. Army to nearly three decades in steel, Dennis brings a unique perspective on structure, discipline, and getting things done. Inside Ryerson, Dennis carved out a ...

1hr 25m • Apr 23

11: Dr. Dave King - Med School to MLB Medicine

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with Dr. Dave King, a leading orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, for a deep dive into the high-performance world of sports injuries and surgical innovation. From his days in med school to the intense realities of the OR, Dr. King shares how mental focus, teamwork, and technology collide when treating athletes on and off the field. ...

1hr 14m • Apr 16

10: Garret Armstrong - From the Show Floor (NASCC '25 Edition)

In this special mini episode recorded live at the 2025 NASCC Steel Conference, we switch things up with a quick, on-the-ground conversation between Bryzos’ own Lee Letourneau and Garret Armstrong, Project Manager and Estimator at Metal Pros LLC in Wichita, KS—and an active Bryzos member. Garret shares his experience attending NASCC, including what sessions stood out, what he’s taking back to hi...

9: Sean Bailey - Leadership Lessons from Off-The-Grid

This week on Irregardless, Shep Hickey sits down with Sean Bailey, Territory Sales Manager at Smokiez Edibles, for a conversation that spans from cannabis to the Chilean mountains. Sean gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Missouri’s evolving cannabis industry—how the shift from medicinal to recreational use reshaped his career and opened up new opportunities. But that’s just the beginning. Sea...

1hr 20m • Mar 28

8: Josh Weber - Where Custom Builds Meet Controlled Chaos

In this episode of Irregardless, Shep sits down with industry insider Josh Weber, owner of Metal Transformations LLC in Wichita, KS. Josh’s journey into the metals world is anything but typical—starting out in cattle farming, he transitioned from life on the farm to becoming a skilled metal fabricator. They dive into his early days learning to weld, the favorite projects he’s worked on over th...

7: Jeff Giles - STL Roots, National Growth, & Strategic Moves

In this episode of Irregardless, Bryzos COO, Lee Letourneau, sits down with Jeff Giles, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Core & Main, to dive into the journey of one of St. Louis’ industry leaders. Core & Main, a national distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and services, went public in 2021 and has continued to expand through strate...

6: Cory Bricker - BNPL, Payment Innovation, & the CassPay Mission

In this episode, Shep is joined by Cory Bricker, President of Cass Pay, to explore the evolution of financial technology. We dive into the origins of Cass Information Systems, headquartered in St. Louis, and how Cass Pay is transforming payment solutions. Cory shares his journey within the company, insights into how Cass Pay works, and a deep dive into Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)—its rise, benefi...

1hr 18m • Mar 05

5: Bob Gassoff - From LEGOS to Navy SEALs

In this episode Shep sits down with Bob Gassoff to discuss his amazing journey from youth hockey to NCAA hockey championship with Michigan to NHL minors to Navy SEALs to distribution.

4: Sarah Hickey - From Patient to PT, Her MS Story

In this episode of Irregardless, Rachel sits down with Sarah Hickey to hear her powerful story of resilience, determination, and hope. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at just 26, Sarah opens up about the challenges she faced navigating life with M.S. and the transformative stem cell treatment she underwent in 2022. Beyond her personal journey, Sarah shares her passion for helping others throu...

1hr 6m • Feb 19

3: Ron King - Economics, Exploration & a Life of Curiosity

In this episode, Shep chats with Ron King, a recently retired accounting professor from Washington University and former professor to Shep during his time in the MBA program. Ron reflects on his decades in academia before sharing thrilling stories from his hiking and camping adventures across the U.S. They then dive into the world of startups, with Ron offering insights on entrepreneurship, fin...

1hr 33m • Feb 12

2: Bob Solomon - Software, Scale & the Long Game in B2B

Bob Solomon, founder and President of Software Platform Consulting Inc., sits down with Shep to discuss his beginnings at Stanford University where he completed his MBA, to his time spent working in the food industry supply chain and Ariba software company. They also dive into their shared insights on the future of Bryzos and the evolution of B2B marketplaces.

2hr 4m • Jan 24

1: Brad Gross - Fabrication, Family & the Future of Gross Mechanical

The first episode of Irregardless is here! Brad Gross, owner of Gross Mechanical, sits down with Shep to discuss getting into the business of power and process piping as a 3rd generation mechanical contractor, automation on the shop floor and in the office, as well as the future of AI in the construction and metals industries.

1hr 6m • Jan 23

This site uses Javascript

Please enable it in your browser's preferences.

You can visit our support center if you're having problems.

Sorry, your browser isn't supported.

We recommend upgrading to the latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

You can visit our support center if you're having problems.