Ep.026: Season 3 Preview
The Hidden Side of Business Ownership: Navigating Storms, Depression, and Triumph
In the latest episode of the Higher Up Podcast, hosts Benji and Adam took an unexpected turn, scrapping their planned content to deliver something more authentic and vulnerable - a behind-the-scenes look at what business owners and leaders actually experience when the cameras aren't rolling.
What began as a casual conversation about schedule changes quickly evolved into a powerful testimony of resilience, with Benji courageously sharing his recent battle with depression. "I'll tell you guys, the listeners, why we took a hiatus," Benji revealed. "I went through a season of depression. I wasn't burned out; I was just disappointed in a lot of things that were going on in the professional space." This raw confession highlights something many entrepreneurs experience but few discuss openly - the emotional toll of leadership.
The episode shines a spotlight on the Buffalo Trace restoration project, where the team partnered with another restoration company to help the iconic bourbon distillery recover from devastating floods in Kentucky. The extensive damage to their warehouses (called rick houses) threatened the business's operations, as mud and floodwaters damaged the facilities where bourbon must age for years. This project exemplifies how restoration work isn't just about cleaning physical spaces, but about getting businesses back into operation as quickly as possible, minimizing business interruption - a critical concern in the commercial space.
Both hosts shared their personal stories of weathering difficult seasons. Adam recounted a particularly challenging period where his family experienced multiple water damages to their home, HVAC failure, and car issues - all within a brief period. "I remember being in the car and Emily just started crying and then she started laughing," Adam shared, capturing that moment when challenges become so overwhelming that all emotional responses blend together. His pastor offered perspective that resonated deeply: "When it rains, it pours. When it pours, it floods. When it floods, you don't have a boat, and when you don't have a boat, you're about to drown."
The episode also reveals how the podcast itself almost didn't continue after its first ten episodes. Benji shared that despite Adam's persistent encouragement to resume recording, he was hesitant due to his personal struggles. It wasn't until a listener named Jody Lester sent a heartfelt message after binging all ten episodes during a long drive that the duo found renewed purpose. This testimony perfectly illustrates the ripple effect of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership - sometimes you never know who your story is reaching or how it's impacting them.
Throughout the conversation, both hosts repeatedly returned to a central question that drives their work: "What is your WHY?" As Benji explained, "You're going to go through obstacles as a business... as a career... You're going to go through seasons in life, and you have to weather the storm. Literally, you have to weather the storm to be able to go to the next level."
The episode concludes with exciting announcements about upcoming prayer calls and events, including their monthly prayer gathering on YouTube and a special prayer event at the ServPro National Convention. These initiatives reflect their commitment to not just talking about faith in business, but actively creating spaces where faith can be practiced in community.
For business owners, managers, employees, and anyone navigating difficult seasons, this episode offers a refreshing reminder that no one has it all figured out - even successful entrepreneurs face depression, disappointment, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. The key is in how we respond, getting up each day and putting one foot in front of the other, all while remembering our core "why" that drives us forward.
Chapters:
0:00 Throwing a Curveball Episode
6:30 Buffalo Trace Restoration Project
10:45 Behind the Scenes of Business
16:25 Depression and the Podcast Hiatus
21:45 When It Rains, It Pours
29:30 Prayer Call Announcements
In the latest episode of the Higher Up Podcast, hosts Benji and Adam took an unexpected turn, scrapping their planned content to deliver something more authentic and vulnerable - a behind-the-scenes look at what business owners and leaders actually experience when the cameras aren't rolling.
What began as a casual conversation about schedule changes quickly evolved into a powerful testimony of resilience, with Benji courageously sharing his recent battle with depression. "I'll tell you guys, the listeners, why we took a hiatus," Benji revealed. "I went through a season of depression. I wasn't burned out; I was just disappointed in a lot of things that were going on in the professional space." This raw confession highlights something many entrepreneurs experience but few discuss openly - the emotional toll of leadership.
The episode shines a spotlight on the Buffalo Trace restoration project, where the team partnered with another restoration company to help the iconic bourbon distillery recover from devastating floods in Kentucky. The extensive damage to their warehouses (called rick houses) threatened the business's operations, as mud and floodwaters damaged the facilities where bourbon must age for years. This project exemplifies how restoration work isn't just about cleaning physical spaces, but about getting businesses back into operation as quickly as possible, minimizing business interruption - a critical concern in the commercial space.
Both hosts shared their personal stories of weathering difficult seasons. Adam recounted a particularly challenging period where his family experienced multiple water damages to their home, HVAC failure, and car issues - all within a brief period. "I remember being in the car and Emily just started crying and then she started laughing," Adam shared, capturing that moment when challenges become so overwhelming that all emotional responses blend together. His pastor offered perspective that resonated deeply: "When it rains, it pours. When it pours, it floods. When it floods, you don't have a boat, and when you don't have a boat, you're about to drown."
The episode also reveals how the podcast itself almost didn't continue after its first ten episodes. Benji shared that despite Adam's persistent encouragement to resume recording, he was hesitant due to his personal struggles. It wasn't until a listener named Jody Lester sent a heartfelt message after binging all ten episodes during a long drive that the duo found renewed purpose. This testimony perfectly illustrates the ripple effect of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership - sometimes you never know who your story is reaching or how it's impacting them.
Throughout the conversation, both hosts repeatedly returned to a central question that drives their work: "What is your WHY?" As Benji explained, "You're going to go through obstacles as a business... as a career... You're going to go through seasons in life, and you have to weather the storm. Literally, you have to weather the storm to be able to go to the next level."
The episode concludes with exciting announcements about upcoming prayer calls and events, including their monthly prayer gathering on YouTube and a special prayer event at the ServPro National Convention. These initiatives reflect their commitment to not just talking about faith in business, but actively creating spaces where faith can be practiced in community.
For business owners, managers, employees, and anyone navigating difficult seasons, this episode offers a refreshing reminder that no one has it all figured out - even successful entrepreneurs face depression, disappointment, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. The key is in how we respond, getting up each day and putting one foot in front of the other, all while remembering our core "why" that drives us forward.
Chapters:
0:00 Throwing a Curveball Episode
6:30 Buffalo Trace Restoration Project
10:45 Behind the Scenes of Business
16:25 Depression and the Podcast Hiatus
21:45 When It Rains, It Pours
29:30 Prayer Call Announcements
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