Ironworks Podcast

Send us a textIs this episode 18, or maybe episode 1 of a new season, who knows? Acie and Steve are trying to get back in the saddle. In this episode the guys talk about where they have been, why they were there (instead of here), and where they are going. They are also in the new studio and putting these out on video for the YouTube platform. 

Episode 17 is a great look at the guys in the past decade leading up to present. Acie has a great quote right out of the gate, "I stopped chasing happiness, and started living with joy." This episode bounces back and forth from a reflection of their forties to a volume of life experience and wisdom that was four decades in the making. As the guys take us through the past ten years they hit most, if not all, of the areas most men find important. Marriage, career, children, recreation, and coming to grips with the most formidable of all foes-themselves.

In episode 16 Acie and Steve take a look back at the decade that, they both agree, really shaped who they are today. In the conversation they break down some of the factors that made this a pivotal era for them, and they talk about the similarities that they see between their experience and a lot of other men. They also take some time to point out some things that they feel are easy to slip into during this very transitional decade. 

In this episode the guys start a series of episodes looking back into their early adult lives. This is a pretty comical look back into how truly ill equipped most young men are to be making the biggest decisions of their lives. Acie and Steve give a little insight into how they made some of those decisions, and what they were wearing and doing three decades ago. 

In episode 14 Acie and Steve have a conversation about masculinity. This is obviously a very big topic for a sub one hour podcast. The guys recognize this and do a sort of flyby of the topic for now. They discuss the huge swing of opinions and mixed messages in popular culture about what a real man should look and act like. Both Acie and Steve share glimpses of what has shaped their views on the subject, and how they have stayed the course in this world of ever-changing messages, and popular figures peddling their own truths about manhood.

In this episode the guys have a conversation about their struggle to harness two very powerful forces Fear and Failure. They discuss how when these two forces couple together, then they can paralyze us. Or worse yet they can cause us to take a defensive approach, rather than an offensive approach to things in our lives. Both Acie and Steve are transparent about times that they find themselves trying not to fail rather than trying to succeed.

Episode 12 is all about dreaming big. No matter where you are in life, the guys are encouraging you to keep dreaming. They discuss what it looks like to have things in your mind that are bigger than plans and goals. Things that you can't know if they will ever really happen, but you plan, train and live your life as though they will. They talk about the sacrifice and effort that it takes to achieve big things and the depth of character that the journey brings. A little longer episode, but worth a listen.

Part 1 of this look at the 99 For 1 project hike was a look at the where, when, and why that the guys found themselves hiking 60 miles on the Appalachian Trail in the Mountains of Tennessee.  In part 2 the guys spend the episode talking more about the gear that they chose, the food that they brought, and what they learned on this trip. 

Early in October 2022, Acie and Steve got the opportunity to be invo;lved in a really cool project. The 99For1 project was a one-hundred-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail in the rugged Mountains of Tennessee. The project was a way for Evangelist Joe Phillips to raise funds and support for his JPM Ministry. Acie and Steve joined the project in a support role to help Joe prepare and execute this lofty goal of doing one-hundred miles in 9 days. Joe is not an avid backpacker nor hiker, so the guys got to come alongside he and missionary Brad Sasser to help with the project. It was also a great chance for the guys to get out into the backcountry. In part 1 the guys talk a little about the project and start unpacking what these sixty miles looked like once they got going.

In episode 9, Acie and Steve talk about their individual process for choosing equipment. They also veer off to some funny stories and instances where poor gear or poor decisions have left them wishing they had done things differently. Whether you are a hunter, cyclist, golfer, or gamer this conversation will apply.

In episode 8 Acie and Steve get caught up a little on what they've been up to. They also scratch the surface on another subject that they have found to be integral to finding success more than failure. The ability to dig deep physically, mentally, and spiritually when the going gets tough. In episode 8 the guys talk about the "why" or the motivation that spurs one to dig, the depth available to dig into and where that comes from, and what happens when you hit bottom and there is nothing left to dig into. 

In episode 7 Acie and Steve break down their mindset when they have to confront disappointments. Acie talks about how in his racing disappointment has driven him to be a better athlete and a better man. Steve talks about disappointment in the world of alpine climbing and they talk a little about their trip together to Mount Rainier in 2020. This episode ends with the guys talking about it as something is not to be avoided, but rather use it when it comes to gain an advantage for next time. 

In episode 6 the guys are trying to answer a couple of great questions that they received from a listener in TN. The first part of the question had to do with how they found hobbies that they have stayed so passionate about for all of these years. Acie and Steve try to share some insight about their perspectives as younger men versus how they approach hobbies now. And how the passions that they pursue now have developed over the years. The guys try to tackle the second part of the question about consistency by being transparent about their own quest for consistency. 

In episode 5 the guys address some questions they have had about using training plans versus self-guided training. Both Steve and Acie have done both to prepare for their respective sports. Steve has used different plans to train for big mountain and alpine objectives in the Cascades and Alaska in recent years but started off using self-guided training for his first trips to Rainier and CO. Acie has recently used a plan to train for the 2022 race season. In this episode they discuss the pros and cons of both ways to train.

In part two, the guys offer a look into some lessons learned as they have tried to be more intentionally balanced. Both of them share tools that they are using to try to stay in that "peaceful" space that they talked about in part 1. 

In this two-part episode, Acie and Steve talk about trying to find balance in their lives. They take a very practical approach to this complex subject. Both guys are very quick to admit that they want to accomplish as much as possible and achieve top level results in every pursuit. They are also quick to admit that this throws them out of balance more times than not, leaving the results wanting and a wake of chaos in the aftermath. 

A handful of guys will recognize this episode. It was recorded in early February as a "pilot" that Acie and Steve sent to some guys for feedback. They thought that they would put it out as a bonus since it generated a fair bit of conversation. In the episode Acie and Steve tell some stories of adventure and experiences and try to differentiate between the two. They talk about the value of adventure in their lives, and encourage others to put themselves out there.

In episode 1 Steve and Acie are giving a glimpse into how they met and building a foundation for future episodes. Also, they are encouraging other men to pursue friendship and adventure actively in their daily lives.  As very amateur podcasters they are figuring this all out as they go, and hope you enjoy.