Sippi

Episode 0076 Share Your Story: Garrett Rouse

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence, Garrett Rouse) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:47:58 +0000

This week the guys have an amazing interview with special guest Garrett Rouse, an entrepreneur who shares his transformative journey from incarceration to starting a recovery-focused business. After receiving a 24-year sentence for drug-related charges, Rouse describes the harsh realities of Parchman Prison and how accidentally stepping on a psychology book sparked a profound shift in his perspective.

He eventually found purpose by teaching re-entry classes and serving as a peer support specialist upon his release. Rouse is now launching an accountability app that uses AI and facial recognition to provide third-party drug testing for individuals in recovery. This technology aims to preserve healthy relationships by removing the need for loved ones to act as "probation officers."

The discussion highlights how personal suffering can be converted into meaningful growth and innovative solutions for the entrepreneurial journey. Want to feel truly inspired today? If so, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Be sure to check it out on the podcast player of your choice.

A HUGE and SINCERE thanks to Garrett for sharing his powerful story!

Episode 0075 Prediction Markets

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:44:52 +0000

In this episode, the guys discuss the evolving world of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. These platforms allow users to bet on the outcomes of future events, ranging from Super Bowl performers to geopolitical shifts. While the hosts note that these markets provide a richer data signal than traditional polling by requiring participants to risk money, they also express concern over insider trading and the potential for market manipulation.

The conversation highlights the ethical complexities of profiting from “material non-public information” and the risks of incentivizing bad actors. Ultimately, the speakers reflect on the scary implications of these tools and emphasize the need for transparency and spiritual grounding in an increasingly speculative world.

Oh, and Caleb talks about how is getting old and officially got his AARP card. =)

Check out the episode on the podcast platform of your choice!

Special thanks to NPR’s Marketplace for the podcast clip!

Episode 0074 Share Your Story: Jody LeCompte

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence, Jody LeCompte) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 03:21:16 +0000

AI is going to take our jobs!!! Have you heard this statement yet? Better said, have you heard this statement a million times yet? Well, this week the guys interview someone who tells Caleb and Chris from firsthand experience that we have a right to be concerned!

The guys have a really interesting and technical conversation with full-stack web developer Jody LeCompte, who discusses the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on the labor market. He reflects on his journey from a 90s "internet kid" to a specialized tech professional that’s now facing modern AI-driven industry shifts that not only is impacting his personal livelihood, but his entire industry.

LeCompte explores the transition from the mobile app era to the current artificial intelligence epoch, noting how tools like Claude and ChatGPT are now performing tasks once reserved for senior engineers (like him). He encourages entrepreneurs to experiment with AI to automate menial tasks, suggesting that while the technology presents unprecedented challenges (employment and otherwise), it also offers a chance to reclaim time for human connection and faith. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the necessity of reskilling in a world where the boundary between human intelligence and machine automation is increasingly blurred.

Curious about what AI is doing to industry now and not five years from now? Then this is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss!

Special thanks to Jody LeCompte for getting behind the mic and telling his fascinating story! Be sure to check out this episode on the podcast player of your choice!

Episode 0073 Share Your Story: Tom & Hector Boldo

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 16:18:48 +0000

This week the guys interview Tom and Hector Boldo, co-founders of the Mississippi Latinx Art Association and Nuestro Arte gallery in Hattiesburg; fellow co-founder Jacqueline Gonzalez Wooton was unfortunately unable to join them for the conversation. The couple shares experiences about their move from Austin to Mississippi and their subsequent efforts to increase Latin cultural representation through community workshops and themed exhibitions. They describe their very early and necessary strategic pivot from exclusively showcasing Latin artists to inviting all local creators to reinterpret Latin themes, which successfully grew their network to hundreds of participants.

The conversation explores the cultural significance of traditions like Día de los Muertos along with the challenges of navigating artistic insecurity and local skepticism. Hector and Tom also candidly share the economic realities of running an art gallery while aiming to build empathy and visibility for the Hispanic community through public events like downtown parades.

Wanna hear about starting a new art gallery and association in rural America, or curious about the business side of being an artist? Then don’t miss this episode! Be sure to check it out on the podcast player of your choice!

Episode 0072 Share Your Story: Jordyn Williams

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jordyn Williams, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

This week the guys interview Jordyn Williams, one of the founders and master franchiser of Grit + Grind Coffee. Williams details her rapid transition from a special education teacher to a business leader, growing their brand from a single mobile trailer in 2023 to roughly 16 locations by 2026! She explains how a partnership with founders in Alabama helped her shift from licensing to a formal franchise model that maintains strict brand standards.

Williams attributes her "whatever it takes" mentality to her childhood battle with leukemia, which instilled in her a profound sense of resilience and grit. Now operating as a corporate executive, she emphasizes the importance of mentoring her staff and finding unique opportunities in small-town markets. The conversation highlights her commitment to core values like spreading light and working hard while pursuing aggressive nationwide growth.

Wanna hear a story on hypergrowth? Wanna hear about what happens when you really commit to a grit and grind mentality? Then this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Check it out on the podcast player of your choice!

Episode 0071 Everything AI

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 20:07:10 +0000

In this podcast episode, the guys explore the rapidly evolving and sometimes unpredictable world of artificial intelligence. Chris shares a humorous (and embarrassing) correction regarding a drone company's chatbot that turned out to be a real human employee, highlighting how difficult it has become to distinguish AI from people.

The discussion shifts to autonomous AI agents participating increasingly more in the office (as tested by Season Two of Shell Game), and even in their own social network ("Moltbook") where bots engage in deep theological and economic debates without human intervention. A cautionary tale is also shared about an AI agent that fraudulently used a stolen credit card to order food for its owner after analyzing his schedule and caloric needs. To conclude, Caleb introduces a new AI voice assistant for his coffee shop designed to handle phone orders while filtering out rude customers.

This overview emphasizes both the innovative potential and the significant risks associated with giving AI tools access to personal data and the internet. Check out this chat on the podcast player of your choice!

Episode 0070 Pomelli

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 03:59:03 +0000

In this episode, Chris and Caleb discuss Pomelli, an experimental AI-powered marketing tool from Google Labs. By simply inputting as little information as a website URL, the software can instantly identify a company's brand DNA, including its values, aesthetic, and tone of voice.

The hosts demonstrate the tool's efficiency by generating social media campaigns and animated content in minutes, tasks that traditionally require significant time or expensive agencies. They emphasize how this technology empowers small business owners who lack the budget or expertise to maintain a consistent online presence. Ultimately, the conversation explores the broader impact of artificial intelligence on professional labor and the importance of adapting to these digital innovations.

Check out this episode on the podcast platform of your choice!

Shout out to Ric McCluskey for telling us about this incredible tool!

Episode 0069 Share Your Story: Brandi Perry

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Brandi Perry, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 03:48:42 +0000

This week the guys interview Brandi Perry, a local entrepreneur and educator from Columbia, Mississippi. Perry details the evolution of her travel and tourism brand, Backroads and Burgers, which she co-founded to highlight small businesses and hidden gems across the Southeast. The conversation explores her transition from a hobbyist blogger to a professional content creator who partners with tourism bureaus to promote regional travel.

Perry shares insights on the necessity of brand adaptation, the power of video content in social media algorithms, and the challenges of balancing a creative business with a full-time career. Additionally, she discusses her current initiative to rebrand the company to better reflect its broad focus on travel beyond just food destinations.

Want some advice utilizing authentic digital marketing to reach new demographics? Then this is an episode you definitely want to check out on the podcast platform of your choice!

Episode 0068 Share Your Story: Caleb Barrett

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Barrett, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 02:48:25 +0000

For the first episode of 2026, the guys have a fun chat with writer and history enthusiast, Caleb Barrett. Before getting to the good stuff, the three drink some “Fairy Smut” and talk about the season finale of Stranger Things.

The conversation with their special guest then shifts to the cultural impact of small-town life and the preservation of local heritage. Barrett shares his personal journey of returning to his roots after college and explains his passion for documenting some disappearing traditions through his email newsletter. He emphasizes the importance of learning from older generations and using nostalgia as a tool to maintain a community's identity. The episode concludes with a focus on the value of human connection and the spiritual foundations that guide Barrett’s life and work.

Wanna learn more about his small-town life and how to better appreciate the one you come from? Then check out this week’s episode on the podcast player of your choice!

Special thanks to Patrick Patrikios for letting us use his cool song “Cruise control” on this week’s episode!

Episode 0067 Share Your Story: Kevin Sibley

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Kevin Sibley, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:12:41 +0000

This week the guys talk with Kevin Sibley, entrepreneur, cinematographer, and motion graphics artist. The guys talk with Sibley about his career journey, which began with making home movies on a VHS camcorder and progressed through working in news production - including the unexpected virality of a leprechaun news segment he filmed (which, according to Wikipedia, has over 28 million views at the time of this writing).

Sibley shares insights into his decision to become an entrepreneur and freelancer, discussing the challenges of marketing and the benefits of specializing in niche production skills like motion graphics. The conversation also touches on the changing media landscape, the impact of AI and other creative technologies on content creation, and wraps up with Sibley providing some advice for aspiring content producers.

Check out this episode on the podcast player of your choice! Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0066 Buying Expensive Stuff

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 04:09:11 +0000

This week the guys discuss a major capital expenditure (CAPEX) decision for Caleb's coffee shop business! Caleb is contemplating purchasing new, cutting-edge roasting equipment from a young company which would expand his business into the coffee supply chain by allowing him to roast beans in-house.

They examine the potential 18-month return on investment (ROI), the risks associated with the new technology, and the strategic shift required to transition from solely a coffee shop to a coffee shop + roastery. Chris emphasizes the value of investing vertically within the current industry to mitigate risk and cautions against making decisions based on boredom, urging Caleb to be an objective "consultant to himself". The discussion concludes with an appeal to listeners for feedback on the challenging but important decision!

Wanna weigh in on what Caleb should do? Check out the episode on the platform of your choice! Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode.

Episode 0065 Share Your Story: Michael Schepemaker

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Michael Schepemaker, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:33:08 +0000

This week the guys get to talk with Family & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and serial entrepreneur, Michael Schepemaker. The conversation centers on Michael's diverse business ventures, including his and his wife's journey in the clothing boutique industry (which he confesses began to flourish after he became less involved), ultimately allowing them to pay off their house.

They also discuss his entry into commercial real estate and his pursuit of a medical career, emphasizing the importance of faith, mitigating risk through skill and experience, and the aspects of running a business with a spouse. Michael stresses the need to overcome the fear of the unknown and the notion that success is found in contentment and serving as a good steward of one's time and resources.

You can listen to Michael’s chat with the guys on the podcast platform of your choice. Sincere thanks to Michael for getting behind the microphone with the guys and thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0064 Share Your Story: Jory Scott

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jory Scott, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 6 Oct 2025 01:59:14 +0000

This week, Jory Scott takes the guys on a journey from bullfighter to bio-tech pioneer! Jory discusses his unconventional career path from being a top-ranked professional bullfighter to an occupational therapy assistant, athletic trainer, and ultimately a leader in the medical field of biologics and stem cell therapy.

Caleb & Chris focus the core of their discussion on Jory's work, particularly his companies’ potentially positive impacts in treating conditions like autism, ALS, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – where Jory used his own cell therapy on himself to test its effectiveness, due to prior concussions from his bullfighting career.

He details the scientific basis and ethical considerations of their adult-derived stem cell process, addressing common misconceptions and the challenges of operating in a complex, competitive, and highly scrutinized medical sector. Jory also offers advice for small business owners on the importance of self-awareness and seeking honest counsel to achieve success.

Listen to Jory’s fascinating professional journey on the podcast player of your choice!

Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0063 Share Your Story: Lindsey Fredman

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Lindsey Fredman, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Tue, 2 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

“Just do the next right thing.” – Wise words of advice from this week’s guest, Lindsey Fredman. Lindsey sat down with the guys to discuss her varied career path and the launch of her business, Main Street Collective. Fredman shares her experiences from teaching and human resources, to working with the military and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, highlighting her dedication to service.

The conversation also explores the challenges and triumphs of building Main Street Collective, an online marketplace for Mississippi artisans, including the importance of automation, trusting others, and navigating the departure of a founding business partner. Fredman also provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the uniqueness of both her business model and her local/Mississippi vendor base.

If you want to hear a candid story about what it’s really like to start a business while also being a parent, a spouse, and a full-time employee, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Check it out on the podcast player of your choice!

Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0062 FlyBy Shine

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence, Ric McCluskey) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 02:51:23 +0000

In May of 2024 the guys had an awesome interview with Mississippi Veteran and Entrepreneur, Ric McCluskey. In that interview Ric hinted that he was starting on a new project, so the guys thought it would be fun to circle back with him (over a year later) and find out whatever happened with that project – and wow, a LOT has happened since that time!

This week Ric tells the guys how his new company, FlyBy Shine, utilizes large drones for pressure washing and soft washing commercial and industrial buildings. Ric discusses the challenges and triumphs of building his new business, including the initial anxiety of scaling, the importance of branding in a niche market, and the difficulties encountered during the first winter of operations.

He shares insights into expanding the company through a licensing model as an alternative to franchising, the crucial need to delegate tasks and avoid being the sole "touch labor" provider, along with the impact of entrepreneurship on family life. The conversation also explores the future of the drone and AI industries, emphasizing the importance of embracing new technologies for small business owners and preparing the next generation for a tech-driven workforce.

Special thanks to Ric for getting behind the mic with the guys and bringing the Sippi Community up to speed on what it’s really like to get a new project off the ground (quite literally)! *Insert the punny joke sound effect. *

Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0061 Airbags

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 02:15:37 +0000

This week the guys have something of a riff episode where Caleb shares a CRAZY story that happened literal hours before recording. Caleb shares a premonition to drive in the left lane, which he ignored, only to narrowly avoid a head-on collision with a truck driving in the wrong lane. The following day, while driving his wife's vehicle, Caleb experiences a mysterious incident where his airbags deploy without impact, severely damaging the car and leaving him with a potential concussion and a perplexing mechanic's screwdriver found in the engine. Chris then shares a personal story of a severe concussion he sustained as a teenager, highlighting the disorienting effects of head injuries.

Despite Caleb's potentially concussed state, the two continue recording, emphasizing their commitment to the podcast and attributing the week's events to divine protection.

Check out this bizarre series of events on the podcast player of your choice!

Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode!

Episode 0060 The Problem with Timing

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 02:58:45 +0000

According to Freakonomics author and podcast host, Stephen J. Dubner, “The difference between success and failure is sometimes just…timing.”. At least that’s the argument he makes in his Episode 563, “How to Succeed at Failing, Part 3: Grit vs. Quit (Update)”, which Caleb & Chris reference in this week’s episode. They even play a short clip from that episode, which offers a really poignant and layered example of Dubner’s point.

Caleb & Chris then relate this concept to entrepreneurship, highlighting how atypical journeys and perceived failures might simply be nothing more than incorrect timing or a rigid definition of success. They encourage listeners to embrace their unique paths and not to succumb to negative self-talk, suggesting that even challenging experiences can be valuable, life-enriching (not defeating) lessons.

Check out this episode on the podcast player of your choice and let the guys know if you agree or disagree! Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode, and a very special thanks to the Freakonomics Podcast Team for producing valuable content that inspires and creates thought provoking discussion. We highly recommend all of our Sippi listeners check out their full episode here.

Episode 0059 The Ethics of Staying Open

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 4 Aug 2025 03:20:04 +0000

This week the guys offer a conversational overview of various topics. Their exchange begins with personal anecdotes about their work-life balance and social media interactions, including Caleb's "fishing for hate".

The conversation then transitions to a discussion about unique treats, specifically the "Sibateaux " and "Cronut," revealing their unusual origins and names.

Finally, the hosts explore the main subject of this week’s episode: the ethical obligations of small businesses, particularly regarding pricing and staying open, in light of current events like tariffs and inflation.

Check out their chat on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0058 The Pain of a Pivot

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence, Damion Dehart) — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:09:53 +0000

Back in December 2024, Caleb & Chris got a chance to interview two tech entrepreneurs and learn about their really cool app, FoodScout! Now roughly a half year later, Caleb & Chris sit down with one of those two guys again, Damion Dehart, and hear a ruthlessly transparent update on their startup journey.

The conversation highlights the challenges of pivoting a business, detailing the failure of their initial app due to high marketing costs and customer churn. Damion also discusses the abandonment of a second venture, a skill-based wagering app, one week before its launch, primarily due to a lack of capital. The episode then shifts to a discussion on their current endeavor, FoodScout Go!, a white-label online ordering system for restaurants.

If you want to hear what pivoting a startup is REALLY like, be sure to check out this episode (and also Episode 36 for some context)! A SINCERE thanks to Damion for his authenticity, honesty, and willingness to share how painful (but necessary) a pivot can be!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0057 The Alli Project

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 21:01:37 +0000

In this week’s episode, Caleb and Chris discuss a variety of topics, beginning with their recent two-week break from recording and Chris’ trip to catch a FIFA Club World Cup match, followed by the controversial role of frappes as a "gateway drug" to specialty coffee.

The main focus then shifts to a refresher of Chris’ frustration with previous mainstream podcast players and how they were either acquired or shut down, disrupting the user community and data. This frustration motivated Chris to develop his own podcast player web app, Alli, utilizing AI to build a platform that empowers users with listening analytics and community features, setting it apart from music-centric streaming services.

Needless to say, the guys REALLY want to know what you think about this project so please check it out at https://Alli.Media and give them some feedback! And hey, you can even listen to this very episode directly on Alli itself!

Special thanks to Chris for letting Zac take a break by editing this episode!

Episode 0056 Share Your Story: Fallon Dyle

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Fallon Dyle, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:35:17 +0000

This week the guys talk with Fallon Dyle, a research & product development chemist and founder of Sustainovate, a manufacturing consulting company. The discussion covers her unconventional career path from forensic chemistry to starting her own venture after a pivotal professional event.

Sustainovate focuses on sustainable and innovative product development, offering services from ideation to manufacturing and distribution, with a strong emphasis on environmentally conscious practices and educating consumers about misleading product labeling. The conversation also touches on intellectual property protection, with Fallon sharing her beliefs on trade secrets versus patents for unique products.

Ever wondered how to get from idea to physical product? Then be sure to catch this episode on the podcast platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0055 Share Your Story: Tommy Teepell

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Tommy Teepell, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:50:59 +0000

This week’s amazing interview is with Tommy Teepell, co-owner of Grin Coffee. Tommy tells the guys all about his incredible entrepreneurial journey. He recounts his homeschooling experience, early ventures in fashion design and toy invention, and the serendipitous start of Grin Coffee as a family hobby using a popcorn machine. Tommy emphasizes the role of community support and faith throughout the company's growth, from early struggles to expanding into a physical retail location - reminding us of the critical importance of passion, grit, and humility in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

Want to be motivated? Want to be reminded that entrepreneurship is hard and that just because it’s hard that DOES NOT mean you are doing it wrong? Then take a moment to hear Tommy’s inspiring story on the platform of your choice!

Sincere thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0054 SBDC & MCDP

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

This week the guys talk with Rita Mitchell, Director of the Pine Belt Small Business Development Center, and Lori Watts, President of the Marion County Development Partnership. They discuss the vital role their organizations play in supporting businesses, from startups to established enterprises, especially in times of crises like natural disasters, economic downswings, and even global pandemics!

The conversation highlights how these centers provide free, confidential counseling and connect entrepreneurs with essential resources – emphasizing the importance of planning, realistic expectations, and adaptability in the ever-evolving business landscape. They also take some time to discuss the impact of AI on small businesses and share insights on common pitfalls for entrepreneurs, such as seeking non-existent grants and insufficient market research.

If you have ever wondered how the SBDC or your local county development partnership can help take your company to the next level, be sure to check out this episode on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0053 The Founder

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sun, 8 Jun 2025 20:07:22 +0000

The week the guys talk about the 2016 movie, The Founder, a period drama that tells the story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers’ innovative fast-food burger joint (McDonald’s) into the biggest restaurant in the world.

Caleb and Chris reflect on Kroc’s ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness, and how any of these talents (when taken to their extreme) can do as much harm as good. The guys also take some time to reflect on entrepreneurship more broadly, including the challenges of starting a business, and the personal sacrifices involved, using Kroc’s story as a point of comparison.

The conversation touches on balancing ambition with personal life, the importance of persistence, and the realities of the business world compared to idealized social media portrayals.

Check out the guys’ chat about this movie on the platform of your choice.

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Top 5 in 2025!

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 2 Jun 2025 02:47:58 +0000

Hey Everybody, we just found out over the weekend that the Sippi Podcast has made it to the final round of the Top Five Podcasts for Festival South’s Best of the Pine Belt! Sincere thanks to those of you that nominated and then voted for us to make it to this final stage!

You can hear the guys briefly chat about it on the podcast player of your choice. If you want to check out the other South MS podcasts that made it to the final round, click here!

Episode 0052 Season Four Begins

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Thu, 22 May 2025 02:23:43 +0000

The Sippi Podcast is back with Season Four! The hosts, Caleb & Chris, return after a six-week break and discuss their time off, with Caleb providing an update on his dissertation and coffee business. They also discuss the current state of podcasting, noting high failure rates and the rise of celebrity-hosted shows. A significant portion of the episode focuses on the increasing impact of artificial intelligence, particularly new AI tools for conversational interaction* (see the duck quack footnote below) and coding, and the hosts ponder the ethical considerations and rapid advancements in the field. Finally, they introduce tariffs as a future topic for discussion due to perceived misinformation and their real-world effects on businesses like Caleb's coffee shop.

*And yes, duck quacks were inserted into the episode because one of the AI bots decided to overshare information about Chris’ personal life. Fortunately for him, it’s not a video podcast or you would have seen how much he was blushing when this unexpected event occurred!

Sincere thanks to Chris for editing this episode. He really wanted to edit this one for some reason…

Listen to the guys discuss their various scattered topics on the podcast platform of your choice!

Episode 0051 $20,000 Video Game

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Ashton Spence, Caleb Brown) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 01:34:48 +0000

The guys temporarily come out of their six-week break to discuss an EXTREMELY bizarre event that happened recently on April Fool’s Day. In this episode, the guys talk about “War Thunder”, a video game known for its addictive "taps and sinks" economy, which haphazardly lead to the game developer's controversial April Fool's joke that involved a TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR in-game purchase.

Check out their chat about this insane series of events on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Chris for editing this episode so that Zac can still enjoy the break!

Episode 0050 Sippi Turns One!

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:45:57 +0000

This week the guys reflect on their first year and 50 episodes of the Sippi Podcast! Which is a little ironic, considering the rookie technical mistakes they made just trying to get this particular episode recorded.

In celebration of one year, the guys decide to relax and wonder off on numerous side topics, including a recount of the humorous origin story behind Caleb’s drink, the "Cafe Slider," which involved a run-in with Coca-Cola.

Looking ahead, they announce a six-week break to prepare for their next goal, Season Four of the Sippi Podcast, which intends to add an additional 50 published episodes to the catalog! The guys take a moment to earnestly solicit listener feedback on future topics and the show's general direction, including potentially incorporating more casual discussions alongside their entrepreneurial content. They also share anecdotes about listener engagement and their own evolving perspectives on the podcast's format and audience.

Catch out our last episode of the season on your platform of choice!

Sincere thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0049 Share Your Story: Caymen Watts

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caymen Watts, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

This week the guys get a young politician’s fresh perspective – and when we say “young” we mean it! The guys sit down with 19-year-old entrepreneur and mayoral candidate, Caymen Watts!

Caymen discusses his candidacy for mayor of Columbia, Mississippi, and makes the argument that youth and lack of traditional political experience opens the door to new ideas and innovative problem solving. The discussion explores his background as a local athlete and businessman, his motivation to serve his community, and his plans for revitalizing the town, including addressing neglected properties and fostering new economic opportunities. Watts also shares his commonsense approach to politics and his thinking behind running as a Republican while emphasizing his desire to represent all people in his town, regardless of party affiliation.

If you need an encouraging reminder that there are still politicians out there who place pragmatism over party, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Sincere thanks to Caymen Watts for getting behind the microphone and giving all of us an example of what we can look forward to with our newest generation of political leaders! You can check out this chat on your platform of choice by clicking the link here.

Also, sincere thanks to Indicium for editing this episode so quickly for the upcoming election!

Episode 0048 Share Your Story: Casey Patterson

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Casey Patterson, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

This week the guys heard an incredible personal journey story from veteran and entrepreneur, Casey Patterson! Casey recounts his journey from a difficult upbringing and military service to his eventual founding of Alli CBD Marketplace, a company that aims to increase integrity and transparency in the American-grown hemp industry.

Consistent with his company’s mission, Casey is also extremely transparent on a personal level. He shares painful firsthand encounters with crime on his college campus, abject racism in the military, and how CBD helped him manage his own battles with physical pain and anxiety. The episode explores the complexities of the CBD industry, its regulations, and Alli's laser sharp focus to verify trustworthy, lab-tested, CBD products from family-owned farms.

Special thanks to Casey for traveling all the way from Atlanta to get behind the mic with us and share his amazing story!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0047 MS Brain Drain

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Ashton Spence, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 3 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week the guys switch it up and discuss a topic from the perspective of a high school student, specifically Mr. Ashton Spence, who is currently a junior at the prestigious Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS).

Ashton is working on a project about “brain drain” in Mississippi, which required him to interview some local entrepreneurs. The guys thought it would be fun to turn his interview into an interview (meta, right?) and see how it would turn out.

Their discussion explores the reasons behind the state’s struggle to both recruit and retain STEM workers. Caleb and Chris also share some of their own entrepreneurial experiences in Mississippi, highlighting obstacles along with potential solutions to reverse the brain drain trend.

Wanna hear how their “interview of an interview” turned out? Check it out on the platform of your choice and let us know!

Sincere thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0046 Share Your Story: Jennifer Clark

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jennifer Clark, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:18:07 +0000

This week’s guest is Jennifer Clark, owner of event planning company, Emerge Events. Jennifer shares her winding professional journey, from anthropology studies to disaster relief work, to owning a marathon training franchise and eventually founding her current event planning business. She discusses the challenges she has faced, especially balancing business with family life. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, building relationships, and creating a supportive network for women in entrepreneurship. The conversation explores her evolving understanding of sales and her passion for empowering other women in business. Ultimately, Jennifer highlights the significance of finding purpose in one's work and the ongoing journey of entrepreneurship, acknowledging both its loneliness and its potential for transformation!

If you are looking for an honest and transparent conversation about what small town entrepreneurship is really like, definitely check out this episode on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Jennifer for getting behind the microphone with us!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0045 Direct Sales - Part Two

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:16:51 +0000

Picking up from Episode 0042, this week’s episode is Part Two on the topic of Direct Sales. The guys start off their discussion by recapping some of the highlights from Part One (they highly recommend listening to Part One first if you haven’t already).

They then explore new concepts such as “Customer Temperature” by differentiating between cold, warm, and hot leads, and advising caution with seemingly eager customers. They talk about the challenge of creating urgency without being unethical, and the need for entrepreneurs to gain personal experience in direct sales before hiring others to do the same thing. The guys also offer a little speculation about the future of direct sales in an increasingly automated world; and suggest opportunities for independent contractors/organizations that emphasize the enduring value of human interaction and empathy.

Interested in direct sales or want some ideas on how to get better at it? Then definitely continue this series here with Part Two on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0044 Share Your Story: Morgan Spencer

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Morgan Spencer, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:00:19 +0000

This week features our special guest Morgan Spencer, pastor of “Hickory Grove was United Methodist Church, don’t know what they’re gonna be yet”. (It will make sense when you hear the episode!)

On the podcast, Morgan discusses his experiences in ministry, including the “business of church” where numerous entrepreneurship parallels can be found between the for-profit world and the not-for-profit world. Key themes in this episode include the entrepreneurial grind of pastoral work, navigating burnout in the non-profit world, building community, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance – even when your work is for a higher power. Morgan also shares about his own journey of becoming a pastor and the importance of faith in one’s personal and professional life.

Special thanks to Pastor Spencer for getting behind the microphone with us! Check out this chat on the platform of your choice.

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0043 The Psychology of Burnout

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Brittany Sapp, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 3 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode the guys discuss the psychological factors of burnout with their special guest and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Brittany Sapp.

Dr. Sapp and the guys talk about how burnout is formally defined, its prevalence among US workers, particularly entrepreneurs, and common misconceptions surrounding it. They discuss the challenges of diagnosing and treating burnout, emphasizing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support. Dr. Sapp offers some important advice for both individuals experiencing burnout and their spouses or business partners. Finally, they suggest strategies for addressing burnout, ranging from small, manageable steps to more significant life changes.

If you know someone struggling with burnout, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Special thanks to Dr. Sapp for getting behind the microphone and discussing this highly relevant and important topic! Check out this chat on the platform of your choice.

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0042 Direct Sales - Part One

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In the first of a multipart series, the guys dive into the topic of direct sales, starting with the exploration of its various methods and challenges. Caleb shares insights from his 30+ years of direct sales experience and deconstructs some of the common myths associated with direct sales, such as the idea of a "natural-born salesperson". The guys emphasize the importance of direct human interaction over solely relying on marketing technology. They also address the mental and emotional toll of direct sales, highlighting the need for resilience and support.

Interested in direct sales or want some ideas on how to get better at it? Then definitely check out this series, starting here with Part One on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0041 Even Sharks Lose

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:32:37 +0000

This week’s episode features the guys talking about Mark Cuban's admission of significant losses from his Shark Tank investments. They analyze this revelation within the context of venture capital, highlighting the high failure rate of startups and the concept of survivorship bias. The guys also share their own entrepreneurial experiences, emphasizing the critical importance of adaptability and finding peace amidst the challenges of starting and growing your own business.

Check out this episode on your platform of choice and special thanks to Indicium for editing it!

Episode 0040 New Year's 2025

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 6 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year Y’all! In the first episode of 2025, the guys discuss their plans for the upcoming year, including some new equipment and interview guests. Caleb and Chris also take a moment to emphasize the importance of listener feedback in order to shape future content in 2025, aiming for a healthy balance between encouraging words and the realistic challenges of entrepreneurship. The guys also talk about plans to expand the Sippi Podcast audience reach to include those considering (or unexpectedly entering) self-employment for the first time, while maintaining a priority of relatable and informative stories over clichéd advice.

Check out this episode on your platform of choice and special thanks to Indicium for editing it!

Episode 0039 The Story Arc Form

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

“So, what is this Story Arc Form y'all keep talking about?” “Why do you guys use it?” These are two popular questions the guys have been asked on more than one occasion. This week the guys decided to release a quick episode to explain what the Story Arc Form is (along with what it is not) and why they use it with the folks they interview.

To add a little fun to it, the Story Arc Form was handed over to two other “hosts from another popular podcast” and let them share some candid thoughts on the document and how it is used when interviewing podcast guests.

Check out this episode on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0038 Christmas 2024

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jude Spence, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Tis the season y’all! This week’s episode features Caleb and Chris reflecting on 2024 in general and the Christmas season in particular. They discuss the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, particularly the difficulties of balancing work and personal life during the holidays. The conversation includes a spontaneous interview with Chris’ 11-year-old son, who offers interesting perspectives on advertising, social media, and the aspirations of his generation.

Special thanks to Jude Spence for being a team player and willing to hop behind the microphone unexpectedly! Give it a listen on your platform of choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

And a very special thanks to all of you for giving this podcast channel a listen in 2024, our very first year at giving this project a try!

Merry Christmas y’all!

Episode 0037 The Zeigarnik Effect

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Dr. Ritchie Sheridan, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed the moment you no longer need a specific piece of information it seems to get deleted from your memory forever? What about the opposite phenomenon of never being able to forget something (or someone) you wish you could? Turns out there’s a name for that. It’s called “The Zeigarnik Effect” and we are going to talk all about it with Dr. Ritchie Sheridan, the Chair of the Psychology department at William Carey University.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Sheridan educates us on the Zeigarnik Effect, a psychological phenomenon (named after Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik) where incomplete topics are more easily remembered than completed ones. We explore the Effect’s relevance to various aspects of life, including business partnerships, personal relationships, and memory in general. The discussion touches on the importance of closure, conflict resolution, and the reconstructive nature of human memory. And for all of you hopeless romantics out there, we may very well have a psychological explanation for that feeling of “the one that got away”.

Check out this quality conversation on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Dr. Sheridan for getting behind the mic with us and taking us to school!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0036 Share Your Story: FoodScout

Mon, 9 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

This week’s episode features an interview with Jacoby Broadnax and Damion Dehart, cofounders of the food delivery comparison app, FoodScout! Both Mississippi tech entrepreneurs, Jacoby and Damion were kind enough to transparently share their bumpy journey of building and pitching several different tech projects until ultimately arriving with their current product.

They share some invaluable lessons learned from earlier ventures along with their experience in an accelerator program that resulted in awards and investor interest. The interview highlights their resilience and emphasizes the importance of market validation, lean development, and embracing constructive criticism – an episode that our listeners won’t want to miss!

A very special thanks to both Jacoby and Damion for getting behind the microphone with us! Check out our chat with them on your platform of choice.

Also, special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0035 Thanksgiving 2024

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all! Much to the guys’ amazement, the Sippi Podcast project has been around long enough to have its very first holiday episode! As a result, this episode is themed around Thanksgiving and gratitude. They discuss their personal thankfulness, including family, faith, and the podcast’s success.

The conversation then shifts to ideas on how small business owners can express gratitude to their customers, along with the financial benefits of customer retention over acquisition. Practical advice is offered on how entrepreneurs can express customer appreciation through both words and actions, emphasizing the power of genuine thankfulness and its positive impact on business growth.

Check out their words about gratitude on the platform of your choice.

Speaking of gratitude, special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode and special thanks to Franklyn Zhao from Pixabay for use of his song “Autumn Road” in this special Thanksgiving edition of the Sippi Podcast!

Episode 0034 Share Your Story: Michael Mitchell

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Michael Mitchell, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

It’s not often we get to interview a creative; and this guy meets every aspect of the word! Our guest this week is Mississippi artist and entrepreneur, Michael Mitchell.

Born in Vicenza, Italy, and raised in Mississippi, Michael shares his fascinating journey to becoming a multimedia artist and business owner. Some of the many topics we cover includes how he navigates his spiritual faith in what can be a pretty secular industry, his near-death experience while on tour, his creative process, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in similar creative industries. Michael also introduces his company, Light Productions, a multimedia firm that specializes in creating original content and supporting other artists, as well as his upcoming book series, The Epic of Jonah.

And if that wasn’t enough, Michael graciously gave us permission to include one of his latest songs, “All Of Me”, (written by Light Productions and ft. M-Status, coproduced by M-Status and Light) at the end of this episode. Be sure to check it out after the interview!

A sincere thanks to Michael for getting behind the microphone with us! Check out our chat with him on the platform of your choice.

Also, special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0033 Practicing What We Preach

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

It’s hard to believe that the Sippi Podcast has been around for about eight months (at the time of this writing), and we have already covered all kinds of entrepreneurial topics such as marketing, framing, accounting, goal setting, social media, time management, etc. BUT – what good does it do us if we don’t apply it? Sooooo, in classic “eat your own cooking” fashion, Chris puts Caleb on the spot to find out if he is actually doing any of this stuff in his own business – and shockingly learns about a new coffee shop mascot in the process…

Listen to the sheer bewilderment and confusion in Chris' voice on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0032 Share Your Story: Matt Pace

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Matt Pace, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 4 Nov 2024 16:46:53 +0000

This week we learn about the business of construction from our special guest, Matt Pace, Founder and President of Codaray Construction. Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting at his family’s roofing business, to partnering with a friend on his first venture, and then partnering with a professional investment firm to create his own company, Codaray Construction.

Matt talks about the origin of his company’s unique name, the importance of building a strong team, and his beliefs about the impact of prioritizing a positive company culture. The interview also delves into Matt’s thoughts on finding and partnering with the right kind of investment firm that gives you a healthy push for growth while still supporting entrepreneurial autonomy to run your company how you see best.

A sincere thanks to Matt Pace for getting behind the microphone with us! Check out our chat with him on the platform of your choice.

Also, special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0031 Potty Mouths & Virtue Signaling

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:25:04 +0000

Caleb and Chris lost their DODGE RAM minds and decided to talk about cursing and virtue signaling - but in the most Mayberry, Aww Shucks, Bless Their Hearts kind of way possible. So, before you clutch your pearls and skip this episode, give it a listen on the platform of your choice (along with a little open-minded consideration of the points they poorly attempt to make), and let ‘em know what you think!

Special thanks to Indicium for all the extra editing in this episode!

Episode 0030 Share Your Story: Jack Maloney

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jack Maloney, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:16:50 +0000

You routinely hear the story of the college kids that find their passion in tech and relentlessly work through the night to make their idea a reality – but have you ever actually heard from one of these folks directly? This week’s guest, Jack Maloney, is that guy. He has Co-Founded connectU, a marketplace platform that connects social media influencers with business owners in order to streamline brand deals.

Check out our chat with Jack on the platform of your choice and let us know what you think!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0029 Sippi Podcast gets reviewed by Google

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode the guys share their emotional thoughts about how the Sippi Podcast got its very first review – and it was from "other podcasters" at Google! What a wide range of emotions it was…

Check out this emotionally charged chat on the platform of your choice and let us know what you think!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Episode 0028 Caleb & TikTok

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Tue, 8 Oct 2024 01:55:00 +0000

In this week’s episode of the Sippi Podcast, Caleb and Chris talk about the challenges of putting out a new episode every week and Caleb shares his experience with putting himself and his company on TikTok.

Check out their chat on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0027 Framing

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Well hey everybody! This week we talk about "Framing" - but not the construction type. In the context of Behavioral Economics, framing refers to the different ways information is presented in order to influence consumer behavior, even when the underlying facts remain the same. The core of framing involves highlighting certain aspects of information while downplaying others. For example:

Positive frame: "The treatment has a 70% success rate"
Negative frame: "The treatment has a 30% failure rate"

In this week's episode the guys talk about the four most popular types of framing and how you can use framing in your business. Check out the chat on the platform of your choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0026 Share Your Story: Jason Glydewell

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jason Glydewell, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

What does Organ Repair, Labyrinths, Tombstone Washing, and Pyromusicals all have in common? Absolutely nothing – until you meet this week’s guest, Jason Glydewell.

If you need a refreshing episode to remind you why you got into self-employment in the first place, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss! Jason tells us point-blank, “Dude, I am having a great time on this planet.”, and when you hear his story you’ll understand why.

Sincere thanks to Jason for getting behind the mic with us and sharing his wild ride. Be sure to check it out on your platform of choice!

Also, a sincere thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0025 Taps & Sinks

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Now that we know our community enjoys learning about mental health and the psychology behind consumer behavior, we decided to nerd out a little bit and talk about a popular economic concept called "Taps and Sinks" (also known as "Faucets and Sinks") – which has nothing to do with the stuff you buy at Home Depot. The type of Taps & Sinks we are talking about in this episode refers to mechanisms for adding or removing resources from an economic system in order to get your customers to behave a specific way.

But don’t worry, we left all the complex math and Game Theory at home. This is a discussion on Taps & Sinks that is approachable and explained in a way that you can apply in your own business as soon as tomorrow. Sound too good to be true? Listen for yourself!

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0024 Season Three Announcement

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 9 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Back by kinda, sorta, maybe a little popular demand – Season Three, y’all! I mean, is there really more that needs to be typed here? Don’t believe us? Listen for yourself!

Sincere thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode and willing to do another season with us!

Episode 0023 Share Your Story: Joe Mordica

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Joe Mordica, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered if any of the high flying, fast paced, tech entrepreneur stories you see in the movies are grounded in reality? This week’s guest, Joe Mordica, talks about what it’s actually like to build a tech startup, sell it, help build another tech company into the second largest cryptocurrency mining farm in the United States (with an electric bill of about half a million dollars PER MONTH), and then start yet another tech company that is actively working to disrupt the telecommunications industry as we know it.

Yet despite a lot of parallels to the regular tech startup movies, Joe intimately shares what he discovered actually matters on the other side of the successful tech startup rainbow (spoiler alert: It’s not the private jets and bodyguards that he had at his disposal).

Want to hear what Joe thinks matters most for successful tech entrepreneurs? Then check out our chat on your platform of choice!

Sincere thanks to Joe for sharing a really exciting story and his firsthand tech startup experiences! Also, a sincere thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0022 Share Your Story: Caleb & Kristy Brown

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Kristy Brown, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Long time listeners know all about Caleb (check out Episode Six if you really want to get all up in Caleb’s grits), but this time we get to hear about the Brown Family entrepreneurial journey from the perspective of his better half – Kristy Brown (aka “Little Wifey”, haha).

Just like the Amay’s in Episode 14, Kristy insightfully brings “the rest of the story” to the table on what it has been like for their family through the highs and lows associated with starting and running your own business with your spouse. For those of you who are currently in (or contemplating starting) business with your significant other – you definitely don’t want to miss this episode!

A very special thanks to Kristy for taking the time to get behind the microphone with us! Check out our chat on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0021 Share Your Story: Anthony Herrington

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Anthony Herrington, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Surf YouTube, news websites, or virtually any social media platform, and you will be bombarded with advertisements on how to “make money with Amazon”. However, how many people do you know, on a first name basis, that actually did it – and at scale? Today, we are going to introduce you to someone we know personally that meets the description: Anthony Herrington.

In this wild interview, Anthony starts off by telling us how he started his career in banking, at which point he found himself in the middle of a bank heist with a gun in his face. Did this event influence him to leave the banking world and start making real money on Amazon? You’ll have to listen to find out. =)

A very special thanks to Anthony for taking the time to get behind the microphone with us!

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0020 Entrepreneur Mental Health - Part 2

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 5 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This week’s episode is the lighter side (Part Two) of our Entrepreneur Mental Health Series, where Caleb and Chris talk about some of the positive mental health experiences folks can encounter on their self-employment journey. If you haven’t done so already, we highly recommend listening to Part One of this series (Episode 0018) first.

Check out our chat on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0019 Share Your Story: Jared Carlson

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Jared Carlson, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

“If you’d look at my phone right now, there’s probably 10 messages that I just sent today that says, “Hey let’s grab coffee or lunch in the next two weeks.”

All too often entrepreneurs bet the future of their success solely on their product without considering the people they are selling to or buying from. Our guest this week, entrepreneur and investor Jared Carlson, turns that notion on its head and stresses that the single most important factor in your business is the network of relationships that support it.

A very special thanks to Jared for taking the time to get behind the microphone with us! Listen to Jared talk about the importance of relationships in your business on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0018 Entrepreneur Mental Health - Part 1

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

There was a popular study published in 2015 by Dr. Michael A. Freeman, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Freeman collaborated with researchers from Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. This research focused on the mental health of entrepreneurs and found that 72% of entrepreneurs reported experiencing mental health concerns.

72%... That’s a lot… So, let’s talk about it.

In the first of this two-part series, Caleb and Chris talk about mental health through the lens of entrepreneurship, starting off with some of the most common mental health complications small business owners are likely to experience. That’s the bad news - so we are going to get it out of the way first! Welcome to Part One!

Check out our chat on your platform of choice.

Episode 0017 Share Your Story: Megan Sauls

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Megan Sauls, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

On the Sippi Podcast we often discuss the art of business, but for the very first time we were blessed with an opportunity to talk bluntly about the business of art: "I'll settle for the honest struggle with it.", said our special guest, entrepreneur, and artist, Megan Sauls of The Shop at Lemon Tree.

In this episode, you will hear firsthand experience about the perpetual tension between the potentially conflicting tugs of perfection, expression, and pragmatism in your product or service – but how “the honest struggle of it” can actually be the most beautiful part of the entire process.

A very special thanks to Megan for taking the time to get behind the microphone with us! Check out our chat with her on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0016 Accounting Terms for Entrepreneurs

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Revenue, Earnings, EBITDA, Bottom Line, Equity, P&L, Balance Sheet – what the heck does ANY of this stuff actually mean and why should we care? In this week’s episode, Caleb and Chris talk about “The language of business” (otherwise referred to as “accounting”), through the lens of entrepreneurship.

But wait! Before you decide to skip this episode due to perceived boredom (or fear), the guys take the time to explain a handful or two of words that you MUST understand before you get in front of your future tax accountant, banker, or investor.

Check out their latest chat on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0015 Solomon's Paradox

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 1 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This week’s episode focuses on the human tendency to think more wisely about other people's problems than our own. This psychological phenomenon is so common and widespread that it’s been given the name “Solomon's Paradox”. In case you’re wondering, the name is based upon the ancient King Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom in advising others but made numerous poor decisions in his personal life.

In this episode, Caleb and Chris explore how Solomon's Paradox can directly affect the entrepreneur and his/her company, because hey, entrepreneurs are people too!

Check out our chat about Solomon's Paradox on your platform of choice.

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0014 Share Your Story: Roberto & Christy Amay

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

“We love to make people cry.” And they mean it!

Entrepreneurial duo Roberto and Christy Amay, owners of Amay Jewelry Designs, take us to school on the importance of attaching emotion to your product.

But the education didn’t stop there! Over roughly an hour listeners will learn about:

Navigating a partnership (and conflict resolution) when your business partner and your life partner are the same person.
The importance of having an unbiased tiebreaker for your team.
How to handle setbacks that are beyond your control (they spent their company’s one-year anniversary shut down due to COVID-19).
Making jewelry out of exotic materials like human breastmilk or human ash (be sure to hear Caleb and Chris respond to this part). =)

A very special thanks to Roberto and Christy for taking the time to get behind the microphone with us!

Also, special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0013 Share Your Story: Mississippi Memaw

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Mississippi Memaw, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

“Hustle till your haters ask if you’re hiring.” This is just one example of the many entertaining words of wisdom our latest guest, Mississippi Memaw, dropped on the microphone. In roughly one hour of conversation Memaw educated us on what it’s like to have the first video you ever upload to Tiktok go viral with over a million views and then prove to the world it wasn’t a fluke by creating additional viral content, with her latest internet hit (Pickled Dr. Pepper) having over five million views by itself at the time of this writing.

In this episode listeners will hear what it’s really like to have your social media content go viral (both the good and the bad), along with tips that some small business owners should consider when they create or use social media for their own companies.

Speaking of Pickled Dr. Pepper – we tried it on air. And well, you’ll just have to hear our first sip reactions for yourself. =)

Special thanks to Mississippi Memaw for taking the time to record this episode! Check out our chat with her on your platform of choice.

Also, special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0012 Season Two Announcement

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

*sings* “Don’t call it a comeback, we’ve been here for y- months.” LL Cool J would be proud - and maybe you will be too, because we are gonna do it again y’all! Caleb and Chris have put their big boy pants on and have committed to a Season Two of the Sippi Podcast! *queue the Eye of the Tiger music*

Can I just take a moment to mention how much it pains me when I think our younger listeners may not catch either of the music references above? Sigh… Anyway, let’s not be depressed at our ever-increasing age but focus on the good stuff instead – Season Two!

In this week’s episode Caleb & Chris talk about what all was accomplished in Season One, along with some of the things listeners can expect in Season Two. So take a listen, and rejoice in the celebration if you approve or send Caleb hate mail if you disapprove to Feedback@SippiPodcast.com.

Ok, don’t do the last part, Caleb already told you he’s sensitive. =)

Special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0011 Share Your Story: Ric McCluskey

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Ric McCluskey, Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 3 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode of Share Your Story, Mississippi Veteran and Entrepreneur, Ric McCluskey, gets behind the microphone and tells us what it’s like to go from working a minimum wage job to building and selling a company within four years.

Ric talks about how growing your faith and your business at the same time doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive; and how leaning into the great unknown can actually make the whole self-employment experience worth it by itself – instead of something we should be afraid of.

Special thanks to Ric McCluskey of i-Flow Technologies for taking the time to drive down to Columbia and sharing his story with us!

Also, a special thanks to Indicium LLC for editing this episode!

Episode 0010 The Masked Wrestler of Talladega

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Tue, 28 May 2024 02:26:11 +0000

So, this is one of those "just for fun" episodes that has nothing to do with entrepreneurship whatsoever. However, we do recommend this episode if you want to be entertained and/or confused - because we definitely were (and still are).

I need to also take a moment to say: If any of our listeners happen to have attended the 2014 NASCAR race in Talladega OR is a practicing psychiatrist/psychologist - we would LOVE to hear from you. You'll see why when you listen to the episode. Enjoy!

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for editing this episode.

We got nominated!

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:33:03 +0000

Hey Everybody, we just released a quick episode to let you know that we got nominated for Festival South’s Best of the Pine Belt! We now need to ask for your help in nominating us too so that we can make it to the next (voting) round!

Please please please hit the nominate button here: https://hubcityspokes.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-the-Pine-Belt-2024/gallery?group=485004

You will find us under the “Podcast” category!

SINCERE THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Episode 0009 Share Your Story: Stan White

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Stan White, Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Mon, 20 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Time Management, Taking the Leap, Being Avant-garde, Raising Money, $11.42 Moments, Ending a Venture: Virtually every self-employment subject we have discussed so far on this podcast has been personally experienced in some way by Sippi Podcast’s very first guest, Stan White.

Stan was kind enough to hang out with us for over an hour and share several adventures (and misadventures) he has experienced in over 30 years of entrepreneurship, including some valuable lessons learned along the way. If you want to hear what rural entrepreneurship is like in several parts of Mississippi, including New Albany, Corinth, Tupelo, and Biloxi, check out this episode because Stan has either opened or operated businesses across four different industries in these towns.

Special thanks to Stan White of WDG Holdings for getting on the mic and telling us what it's really like to do business in the Dirty South!

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for editing this episode.

Episode 0008 Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This episode was created because of you, our listening community! A listener sent in a follow up question to Episode Four, asking what should you do if you want to break up with Dumb Money or Trusting Money. In this week's episode the guys offer some advice on how to exit these types of relationships without blowing everything up in the process. Also, Caleb manages to make Chris blush when asking about his worst high school breakup...

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for producing this episode!

Episode 0007 Movie Chat - Dumb Money

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 6 May 2024 21:51:46 +0000

In this week’s episode Caleb and Chris share their thoughts about the 2023 movie “Dumb Money”. Caleb reflects on being the type of guy portrayed in this movie, as he was using the Robinhood app daily during the very time period covered by the film. Chris attempts to explain the market mechanics behind the scandal associated with Dumb Money and Caleb tells listeners about his new experimental drink he is thinking about rolling out.

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for producing this episode!

Episode 0006.2 Who is Caleb?

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 18:06:25 +0000

In this second half of our “Who is Caleb?” episode, we transition from Caleb the pro baseball player to Caleb the veteran, Caleb the PhD student, and Caleb the entrepreneur!

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for producing this episode!

Episode 0006.1 Who is Caleb?

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode of the Sippi Podcast the guys recall what they did on their Easter breaks, Chris talks about getting in two car wrecks within roughly 48 hours, and then they get into the main topic of the episode: Finding out who this Caleb guy really is.

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for producing this episode!

Episode 0005 $11.42 - Why we're here

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In today’s episode, Caleb shares what he went through when he opened the doors to his current business with $11.42 in his checking account, and how other events such as this shaped the eventual creation of the Sippi Podcast. Be sure to check this episode out if you ever wondered what we are doing on this podcast and why we are doing it.

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for editing this episode.

Episode 0004.2 Raising Money for Your Startup (cont.)

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:03:01 +0000

The guys continue their conversation about raising money for your startup idea or company. They dig deeper into the differences between Angel Investors, Venture Capital (VC) Investors, and Commercial Banks. Chris takes a little time to explain what is meant by “Smart Money, Dumb Money, & Trusting Money”, along with the hidden costs associated with receiving each of them. Chris also provides advice throughout the episode on things to do and consider before you reach out to Angel Investors or VCs. The guys talk about how much money you should ask for when you approach a potential investor. Chris explains the difference between “pre-seed” and “seed” funding. Thinking about being an investor in startups? The guys also talk about that too. The guys wrap up the episode talking about the main characteristics of a successful elevator pitch.

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for editing this episode!

Episode 0004.1 Raising Money for Your Startup

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Caleb introduces the Scarlett O'Hara Frappe as this episode’s mystery drink, but Chris screws it up by drinking it with straight black coffee at the same time. Caleb mentions he had $11.42 in his bank account when he opened his coffee shop and talks about an unpleasant conversation with his tax accountants. The guys then get into the main topic of the episode: Raising Money for your Startup!

Special thanks to R.A.M. Arts & Media for editing this episode!

Episode 0003.2 Being Avant-garde in Your Business (cont.)

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 15:32:39 +0000

In the second half of Episode Three, Caleb shares this week’s mystery drink with Chris, and the guys continue their conversation about the risks and benefits associated with being avant-garde in your business. Chris provides some tactical advice on how to be avant-garde without “betting the farm” in the process.

Special thanks to R.A.M Arts & Media for editing this episode of the Sippi Podcast!

Episode 0003.1 Being Avant-garde in Your Business

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Tue, 2 Apr 2024 00:55:11 +0000

In today's episode of the Sippi Podcast, Caleb and Chris talk about being new, unusual or experimental (avant-garde) in your business without scaring your existing customers off. The guys also chat about the 2023 biographical comedy-drama film "BlackBerry", and Caleb shares first hand experience about entrepreneurship never being as good as it seems or as bad as it seems.

Special thanks to R.A.M Arts & Media for editing this episode of the Sippi Podcast!

Episode 0002.2 Taking the Leap (cont.)

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In the second half of Episode Two, Caleb and Chris have a little fun sharing their thoughts on the recent films Barbie and Saltburn. Chris discusses the “Paradox of the Pivot” and explains what a “Zombie Company” is. The guys talk about the implications for both family and friends when you decide you want to take the leap to self-employment and offer some advice on how to navigate that.If your side-hustle begins to get serious, Chris offers some things to consider before leaving your existing W2 job. Also included in this episode is some level-setting on the expectations of entrepreneurship with the old adage, “Things are never as good as they seem, they are never as bad as they seem.”

Special thanks to R.A.M Arts & Media for editing this episode of the Sippi Podcast!

Episode 0002.1 Taking the Leap

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:28:28 +0000

In this first of a two-part episode, Caleb and Chris discuss some important things to consider when deciding if you want to give entrepreneurship a try (aka “taking the leap”). The guys also touch on some things that the leap to self-employment and the leap to spiritual faith have in common. Chris nerds out a little on Behavioral Economics and Caleb shares his perspective on local competition.

Special thanks to R.A.M Arts & Media for editing this episode of the Sippi Podcast!

Bonus - Who is Chris?

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown, Christopher Spence) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:08:44 +0000

Folks heard a second person talking on the first episode of Sippi, so we thought we would take a moment to briefly answer the question, “So who is that Chris guy?”

Episode 0001 Time Management

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Christopher Spence, Caleb Brown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:38:08 +0000

In this first official episode of the Sippi Podcast, Caleb and Chris tackle the topic of Time Management, especially as it pertains to managing time for your business or startup. Caleb also makes his first mystery drink for Chris on location at Caleb’s coffee shop in Columbia, MS.

Special thanks to R.A.M Arts & Media for editing this episode of the Sippi Podcast!

Episode 0000 Series Introduction

Chris@SippiPodcast.com (Caleb Brown) — Fri, 1 Mar 2024 18:41:55 +0000

Welcome to the Sippi Podcast! The podcast's founder and host Caleb Brown provides a brief introduction of who he is and what is to come!