School of Hard Knocks Podcast

Ben Pogue is the CEO of one of America’s fastest growing construction companies, generating over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. After unexpectedly taking over the business at age 29, he navigated personal hardship, public industry controversy, and massive leadership pressure. In this episode, Ben shares how culture, faith, and people-first leadership transformed his company into a powerhouse with industry-leading client retention. The conversation explores crisis leadership, scaling teams, building billion-dollar companies, and the mindset required to endure the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship.

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Forbes Riley is the “Pitch Queen,” known for selling over $2.5B in products across TV, infomercials, and live demonstrations, including 64,000 units in 24 hours and $1.2M in a day.
In this episode, she breaks down the pitch structure that creates instant desire, third-party proof, urgency, and closes without over explaining.
She also shares the personal adversity that shaped her obsession with communication, confidence, and legacy.
A tactical masterclass on getting “yes” faster without sounding like a salesperson.

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Vic Tipnes is a healthcare entrepreneur who built a dominant sleep testing company after starting with almost nothing. In this episode, he breaks down the low point of having $78 in his account, the long grind before the breakthrough, and the aggressive deal-making that helped him take market share fast. He also explains why service is a competitive weapon, why “money loves speed,” and how leadership and purpose attract top talent.

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Myron Golden is a renowned business consultant and sales strategist known for turning content into cash flow through offers, authority, and value-based selling. In this episode, he breaks down why income follows value—not effort—why “time is money” is a trap, and how to use the law of averages to win in sales. He also shares his faith-based framework for decision-making, mentorship, and building a fulfilled life through creation, connection, and contribution.

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Jim Keyes led some of the most iconic companies in the world, including serving as CEO of 7 Eleven during one of the most volatile periods in its history.
He breaks down how growing up dirt poor shaped his leadership edge, why 7 Eleven’s bankruptcy nearly ended the company, and how seeing crisis as opportunity changed the trajectory of his career.
We also cover what actually saves companies in free fall, why fear kills more businesses than bad strategy, how equity creates real wealth, and the leadership decisions most CEOs avoid when the stakes are highest.
This episode is a blueprint for navigating collapse, leading at scale, and building a career that turns chaos into opportunity.

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