Two Tree Guys: Recent Episodes
Phil Rogacki & Jared Abrojena
Professional tree-industry veterans Phil Rogacki & Jared Abrojena are hanging out, sipping a cold one, and talking about the day. Come along as Phil & Jared expand your view of what the tree service industry is about and how it infinitely intertwines with innovation, history, adventure, the great outdoors, the future, and, oh yeah, beer.
Sam Finco, trainer with The Academy, shares his journey from art school to arborist. Growing up between Wisconsin and Iowa, Sam found early inspiration in the outdoors. After dabbling in art and rock climbing, a photo of a crane removal changed everything—he dropped out of forestry school and dove headfirst into tree work. From learning to drive a 26K lb bucket truck in the desert to building rope systems to preserve massive oaks, Sam’s story is one of grit, creativity, and growth. Now a contract climber and mentor, he’s on a mission to be the guide he never had.
Joe Wightman’s journey from a rough start in Loveland, CO, to becoming an Academy Trainer in arboriculture is one of resilience and purpose. After early run-ins with the law and setbacks in construction, a friend’s suggestion led him to tree work—where he found not just a job, but a calling. Now 11 years in, Joe is passionate about safety, hands-on training, and helping others grow in an industry that’s as mentally demanding as it is physical.
Emily Inman from Charlotte’s Landscape Management Division and arborist John Wayne share their paths into tree care and the growing need to train passionate newcomers. With an aging urban forest and a wave of arborists set to retire, they talk about the importance of early education, hands-on training, and changing perceptions of arboriculture as a skilled, essential trade. From climbing trees to community outreach, it’s all about planting seeds for the future.
Omar Martinez shares his journey from childhood laborer to project manager at his family’s business, Pro Select Construction Services. Raised in San Diego, Omar reflects on early jobs, lessons in leadership, the challenges of managing older crew members, and the grind of cold sales. Now helping expand the company’s construction division with EV charging stations, Omar also opens up about balancing work with self-love.
Jim Deplo joins us to talk about VP Racing Fuels' high-performance blends made for small engines like chainsaws. Learn how their ethanol-free, synthetic fuels improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and keep your equipment running cleaner and longer.
Born in Fresno, CA, Jalen grew up in a blended family and learned early lessons about setting boundaries and offering support without enabling. After leaving home at 18, a series of tough breaks — including flipping a truck and a night in jail — taught him resilience. He eventually found his footing at ArborWorks, where he grew from inventory management to climbing and training others in safety and utility work. He helped the company scale smartly, standardizing gear and improving operations, until changes after a private equity takeover led him to a new chapter at Husqvarna. This is a story of growth, grit, and finding your lane.
From corporate America to concert stages to climbing trees, Ryan Swederski’s path has been anything but typical. After helping his dad run an indoor putt-putt business in Arizona—and picking up DJing and concert booking along the way—Ryan stumbled into the world of arboriculture. One inspiring day watching climbers changed everything. Over the next 15 years, he climbed, led crews, mastered utility line clearance, and eventually launched his own company: Swederski’s Independent Consulting, LLC. Now, Ryan is on a mission to train, consult, and raise the bar for safety in tree care—especially for smaller, growing companies.
From growing up in California’s Imperial Valley with farming parents to running eight marathons, Sonia Coyle’s journey is one of grit, reinvention, and strength. After dropping out of San Diego State, she entered the aerospace world, raised three boys, navigated divorce, and chased joy through dancing and new adventures. Her path took her all the way to England, where she became an accountant, before returning to the U.S. and stepping into the world of tree care with her partner, Tom. Recorded live at the ISA Western Chapter Conference, this episode is about resilience, new chapters, and finding your place—no matter how unexpected.
At just 12 years old, Sophie Arnold started her journey into the treetops—and she hasn’t looked down since. Trained through an academy and known for her creative “Poor Man’s Pantin” rope ascender setup, Sophie is already limb walking big trees and refining her skills with serious intention. With her sights set on competition climbing once she turns 16, she’s all about learning, pushing limits, and sharing knowledge with other kids. Her motto? “Always go slow. Pay attention. Trust your gut.” This episode is a glimpse into the future of arboriculture—and the bright, fearless young climber leading the way.
Born in Newport Beach, CA, Sam Cubeiro was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4—but that didn’t stop him from embracing the outdoors. From diabetes camps to a fly-fishing trip at a Colorado dude ranch, Sam discovered a lifelong passion for nature, adventure, and purpose-driven work. His journey took him from turkey hunting in Kentucky to interning at an outdoor investment firm, working at Facebook, and eventually joining Alpine Investors. Today, he’s building Canopy—a growing network of tree care companies focused on safety, training, and helping founders scale sustainably. This episode dives into how personal passion can lead to professional impact.
AI is here, and for the first time, it’s accessible to everyone—not just programmers. In this episode, Suzanne Guzman, a certified prompt engineer and author, breaks down how AI works, why communication is key, and how anyone can start using it today.
We’ll explore large language models, automation, and how AI can enhance businesses—including unexpected industries like tree care. Learn how to prompt effectively, iterate, and use AI as a tool to refine your brand and workflow. AI is only getting smarter—so don’t wait to get started!
Born and raised in Bucks County, PA, our guest started rock climbing before he could even walk. By age 10, he was rappelling, and by 18, he was climbing competitively. His passion for heights led him into tree climbing, where he learned the right way to climb safely with Lindsey Tree Removal.
After years in the industry, he took a break before returning to climbing with a renewed mindset. Along the way, he battled drug and alcohol addiction, now celebrating 9 years of sobriety—not anti-good time, just anti-letting it run your life.
Now a contract climber and instructor working all over the Northeast, he's dedicated to safety and training. Married for 8 years with a new baby, he's focused on rebuilding relationships, mentoring climbers, and sharing his journey of resilience.
Tune in for stories of climbing, discipline, and the highs and lows of the journey.
With 20 years in journalism, Milly Stiles has built a career diving deep into industries that fascinate her. From newspapers to parenting magazines to marketing, her path led her to Arbor Times, where she now serves as editor. Covering everything from equipment and plant healthcare to business insights, Milly values the arborist community’s respect for veterans and safety. Got a story idea or expertise to share? Reach out at editor@arbortimes.org—because every voice in the industry matters.
From semi-pro musician to entrepreneur, Dr. Jean The Results Queen has spent 24 years helping businesses grow and thrive. She dives into the realities of business partnerships, leadership, and the four key functions of every company—marketing, sales, operations, and finance. Success isn’t solo; top performers build strong teams. Whether you need to change, end, or embrace a situation, Dr. Jean helps you think Z to A—start with the goal and map the path to get there.
After 17 years in the pawn industry, Rhonda Bell found a new passion in arborist gear. Now at Tree Tools USA, a female-owned arborist superstore, she helps pros test saddles, take manufacturer-led classes, and gear up for events like Pizza & PPE. Join Rhonda as she shares industry insights, gear tips, and her journey from the counter to the canopy.
Introducing Hands Up—the game-changing retention connector from Hexarope. This knotless choking device for rigging and speed lining offers unmatched simplicity and efficiency, with three sizes rated for 4, 6, and 8 tons. Designed by expert splicers in France, Hexarope is redefining rigging safety with durable, no-moving-parts innovation. While Hands Up isn’t in the U.S. yet, it’s set to make waves in 2025. Tune in to learn how this revolutionary tool is increasing efficiency, safety, and ease of use for arborists and riggers worldwide!
From dirtbag college groundsman to pro golfer in Hawaii, world-traveling adventure guide, and now a key account rep for Arborwear—Kevin Tierney’s journey is anything but ordinary. After 12 years leading tours across 35 countries with Backroads, he found his way to Arborwear, where rugged meets functional in workwear. Tune in as we dive into Kevin’s wild path, the tight-knit tree care industry, and the gear that keeps it all going.
From a curious kid climbing trees in Sonoma to a groundbreaking inventor in the arborist world, this is the story of innovation born from passion and persistence. After a near-death experience as a child and years of learning about trees, pruning, and woodworking, our guest's journey led to creating the revolutionary Akimbo climbing device. Hear how he turned backyard tinkering into a game-changing product, launched with GoFundMe and grit, partnered with Rock Exotica, and continually pushed the boundaries with new ideas like the Downrigger. This episode is all about resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of innovation.
Tom Smith, CEO of Century Products, shares his journey from Carolina to California, transitioning from metalwork to horticulture. In 1979, he launched a tree care company, working on major projects like Disneyland. Later, he founded Century Products, revolutionizing root and water barriers with innovative, durable designs. Despite legal battles, Tom's resilience led to industry-changing success. Tune in for his inspiring story!
In this episode, we talk with Sarah LeBlanc from Global Insurance Billing, a full-service company designed for tree removal professionals. Learn how they simplify insurance collections and billing, provide state-specific contracts, and support tree contractors in navigating insurance claim jobs. With a membership-based portal and a focus on building client trust, Global Insurance Billing helps tree experts save time and maximize earnings. Discover essential tips for pricing, documentation, and working with adjusters to streamline your business and get paid faster. Don’t miss this inside look at transforming the way tree companies handle insurance claims!
In this episode, we talk with an arborist who transitioned from the oil field to the tree care industry, falling in love with the work on day one. With seven years of experience, he shares his journey from double-line to single-line climbing and his goal to explore contract climbing across the country to learn from different styles and perspectives—because "outside eyes are the best eyes.
Justin shares his journey from Boston to Hawaii, overcoming challenges in leadership, teamwork, and business ownership. He discusses the importance of building strong teams, putting the right people in the right roles, and leading by example to earn respect and trust. Justin emphasizes communication, coaching, and fostering a positive attitude to help teams grow, step up, and succeed—one small step at a time.
In this episode, we dive into the adventurous life of a man who’s lived a journey full of physical challenges and personal growth. From his Minnesota roots to Colorado, he excelled in sports like rock climbing, wrestling, and diving, even earning a scholarship for art. After a year of college wrestling, he joined the Marine Corps, which reshaped his perspective on leadership and life. He went on to pursue ice climbing, raft guiding, and tree work, eventually becoming a foreman. After training for Navy SEALs and an injury in BUD/S, he returned to tree work and now trains others at the Colorado Academy. Tune in to hear how his diverse experiences shaped his path and personal philosophy.
Join us with The Academy Instructors after their 2023 Summit Meeting where they share their experiences with teaching and working production.
Alex, Geoff, and Ryan join us from The Academy training facility in Loveland, CO to talk about their paths into the industry, near misses, gear and more.
Join lead instructors Andy and Kyel from the CO Academy Bootcamp as they break down what it takes to run a successful three-day tree care training bootcamp. Covering everything from intense pre-camp prep—sourcing wood, gathering gear, and setting up training spaces—to hands-on training days focused on chainsaw safety, climbing operations, and working aloft, they give listeners a roadmap for hosting a safe, efficient, and engaging bootcamp. Hear tips on managing trainer-to-student ratios, engaging seasoned participants, keeping energy high, and fostering a team-oriented learning environment. Perfect for tree care professionals looking to elevate training in their own teams, this episode emphasizes the importance of investing in people, planning, and a passion for safety.
Rodlyf grew up surrounded by violence and drug addiction and spent time in and out of shelters in Brooklyn. As a child he was able to find positive adult influences that instilled in him a strong work ethic. For the past 15 years, he has worked for the Department of Agriculture, focusing on an eradication program targeting the Asian long-horned beetle. He spends much of his time climbing trees in Central Park and Prospect Park, searching for signs of beetles. Rodlyf is now dedicated to passing on his knowledge to others.
Phil Rogers discusses Clogger’s high-performance chaps and the cost of ownership for various types of PPE. Their next-generation chaps feature improved attachment systems, better breathability, flexibility, and enhanced washability. He highlights how downtime due to broken gear and the need to buy multiple replacements diminish any initial cost savings. Rogers emphasizes that the real value lies in durability and performance, especially as productivity drops when the heat index rises. Clogger, a company from New Zealand, aims to address these challenges with innovative PPE designs.
Meet the 67-year-old tree expert who's been climbing for almost 50 years. He started at 17 and had to be rescued out of the tree on his first climb! Hear about his journey from post-Vietnam tree work, pruning during dormancy, and battling Dutch Elm Disease—plus his faith and commitment to preserving trees whenever possible.
livingtreecare.com
From the forests of Switzerland to studying mechanical engineering and earning a master’s degree in forestry, Greg’s career has been far from conventional. After working in various roles, he eventually launched his own tree care company. Faced with tough challenges in the field, Greg invented the groundbreaking GRCS winch in 1997, revolutionizing how tree work is done. The idea came to life during a tricky job removing a dead silver maple over a tile-roofed home, where crane access was impossible. His innovative solution? A rigging system that has since transformed the tree care industry.
goodrigging.com
Cameron, a tree care specialist at Sennebogen, is back on the 2TG podcast to share his journey of physical recovery and the insights he's gained along the way.
Meredith and Andrew teach us about Oath Soil Life products and how their microbes create a strong support system for trees and promote healthy growth. These powder packets, which have been in development for 30 years, contain 150 strings of healthy soil microbes which increase the microbial diversity in the soil. www.oathsoillife.com
Cortland was born in CA and started climbing trees at the age of 17 through his family owned business. He joined the army after attending Sac State and was deployed a year later. While in Iraq Cortland was a part of a 9 man QRF team. After his deployment he was looking for that same sort of camaraderie and could only find it within the tree industry. He is now running his own tree company and learning as much as he can about training.
Megan grew up a tomboy and learned about forestry in her vocational high school. After graduating from college with two degrees she got a job training telecom tower climbers rope access techniques. Next she joined Husqvarna and did product training with them for 3 years before going onto Wright Tree Service as a safety supervisor. She now owns her own training company - www.upward-training.com where she works with owners to be safer and more productive.
Patrick and Peter join our guest host David O’Neill to share stories and insight into rope rescue and the arborist community.
Dave White, CEO of TCIA, shares with us tips and tricks for succeeding in the tree business. He covers everything from fractional employees to effective networking and explains why it is important to avoid becoming too busy working IN the business rather than working ON the business.
Dustin joins Phil to share his experience at at TCIA Expo and talk a bit about Treepalooza in FL.
Austin came from a ski racing background and realized there was an opportunity to bring action sports safety technology to the construction industry. The helmets that they have developed are ANSI type 2 rated and are made with Koroyd which are superior from an impact perspective and breathability. They even have a helmet with a NFC chip which can store your medical profile or any other pertinent information.
Brandon got his start in the Texas oil fields and transitioned over to trees after seeing what his mom was charged for some tree work. He started his YouTube learning and never looked back. His son, Hunter, started working in trees right out of high school. He had tired a bit of construction before and decided tree work was more his thing. His first job was doing line clearance!
Justin was born in Oxford, Ohio. He went to college for Homeland Security and Terrorism and participated in the National Guard for 6 years. Out of college he worked cyber security and IT but wasn’t feeling fulfilled and missed the outdoors. He had a neighbor with a White Pine that he needed taken down so Justin started learning about tree removals via YouTube. He continued working full time in cyber security while doing side tree work. He finally decided to get a truck and dump trailer and leave his full time job for the world of tree work.
Work Safety Territory Manager for Edelrid, Josiah Georgeson, joins us in the studio to share his story about leaving school for biomedical engineering and getting into tree work. He started as a groundsman and decided he’d “rather be the pitcher than the guy in the outfield” and got into climbing. He pushed through his fear of heights and continues to climb and pursue his passion for gear and training.
Todd and Jesse are hosting the second annual Rec The River event July 11-14 on the New River in Ivanhoe, VA. They are combining their passions for river rafting and tree climbing into 4 days of learning unique skills, conversing with peers, floating the river and relaxation. Check it out on Facebook - Rec the River Group or https://www.treepeoplegear.com/rec-the-river.
David gives us some history on how he developed Branch Manager Grapples while his granddaughter Grace shares about her nonprofit which facilitates emotional support clubs that write letters of love to pediatric patients worldwide.
Eric explains his 5 key considerations when considering insurance coverage.
1 - What equipment do you own?
2 - What vehicles do you use?
3 - People that work for you: employees and/or contractors.
4 - What happen if you injure someone else?
5 - What happen if you injure yourself?
Carol is an entrepreneur who has worked as the Director of Media and Events at TCIA, owns and operates an event planning business as well as the tree care focused business incubator Arbor BC. Arbor BC is a women’s owned company that helps put businesses on the right path to grow within the tree care industry.
After retiring from his military and firefighting careers Zach started exploring tree work. He quickly realized how much he had to learn and started searching for training resources. After a climbing injury he became determined to teach aerial rescue to other climbers and rescue personnel.
Mark Chisholm, Brian Noyes, and Robert Phillips stop by the studio while on their west coast pruning tour to chop it up with Jared.
Justin started climbing with his grandpa who worked in line clearance. Most of his family has worked in trees, including his grandma that drug brush! He started running crews at 22 years old and has now been with Monster Tree Service for 3 years.
Sara joins us at the grand opening of The Academy 2 in Loveland Colorado to tell us how she came to work for Pro Lift Crain and Rigging.
Michael grew up with a love for the outdoors and always wanted to do some sort of trade with his hands. He fell a few trees for his grandma and realized this was something he wanted to do. He got on with a good company that trained him well and is now leading his crew.
Roderick tells us about his experiences participating in the TCIA Train the Trainer Program and shares his thoughts on Apprenticeship and Workforce Development.
Phillip Ruiz returns to 2TG to talk with us about his new role as a Technical Trainer/Safety Supervisor with Wright Tree Service. He explains a bit about the safety culture that’s changing throughout the industry.
Pro MMA fighter Tanner Saraceno shares his story with guest hosts Chris Bruner and Patrick Morgan. Tanner was looking for a day job that allowed him to train MMA at nights and found tree work. He started picking up some side jobs then started his own company, Tanner’s Legendary Tree Service. He prefers running smaller crews and working along side his employees.
Jonathan tried everything he could but was not able to get sawdust out of his blood. He came from a family of tree workers and was always a Maker. He pursued art and tattooing but ultimately came back to the trees. He had run chainsaws at a young age, even cut his knee when at 11, and decided to be full time climber at the age of 20.
🌿 Part 2! 🌲 The celebration continues on the "Two Tree Guys" podcast as we delve deeper into Richard Kingsborough's inspiring story in our 100th episode series. 🎧 Join us as we explore his remarkable journey as a veteran in the tree care industry, a championship climber, and an innovative leader. Get ready to be inspired and amazed by Richard's experiences and wisdom. Stay tuned for the second part of this unforgettable series! 🌟🎙️ #TwoTreeGuys #RichardKingsborough #InspiringJourney #PodcastSeries
👊🏻❤️🌳 Exciting Announcement! The "Two Tree Guys" podcast has been thriving for the past few years, and we have now reached our 100th EPISODE milestone! 🎙️ Over two years ago, we recorded our very first podcast in the studio. We held onto it for a special occasion, and that day has finally arrived. This journey wouldn't have been possible without our dear friend, mentor, and role model - Richard Kingsborough. A veteran in our industry, a champion climber, and an innovator in tree care. Jared and Phil are honored to share Richard's incredible story with you all. Sit back, relax, and get ready for a tale that will be remembered forever! 🌳🎧 #TwoTreeGuys #100thEpisode #ExcitingJourney #RichardKingsborough
Michael tells us about his journey into the tree world and how he ended up on the Main Stage at the TCIA Expo his first year attending.
Mohair joins us from Clairvest Group Inc. to teach us about Private Equity and how you can prepare your business when interested in talking with a PE firm.
Hansel and Hannah join us from Arbortec to talk about their company and some of the new products coming out.
Young tree enthusiast Sophie Arnold joins Jared at Arbor fest to share her experiences as she explores the world of tree care and climbing. Sophie is already climbing and doing removals and aspires to become an ISA certified arborist and possibly a contract climber.
Plant Healthcare Mgr at Heartwood Tree Service, Julia Hennessy, shares with us some of her favorite tools and resources to help in your PHC endeavors.
Andy and Thomas have thoroughly tested equipment from the various companies producing electric saws and give their no BS take on what they’ve experienced.
Juan is from the “End of the World” in Patagonia. After getting his engineering degree in safety health and environment he moved to Iowa. While studying accounting he was introduced to Wright Tree Service and started started working with corporate in the Safety Department. 4 years ago he learned to climb and is now in trees alongside his students teaching them how to be safer climbers.
Sean Klongerbo of treesavages.com explains that by building a standard of transparency he has been able to retain customers and charge premium prices. He provides a framework for other companies to find their ideal customer and become more profitable. Some examples of his materials are the How to Sell More Tree work Handbook, template contracts, and an app for pricing tree work.
After flipping his truck at the age of 17 and sustaining serious injuries, Bobby became addicted to pain pills. This eventually lead him to a cheaper substitute: heroine. After a stint in prison he got clean and has been 10 years sober. In 2016 he got hired on with Trees Unlimited and has been with them ever since.
Jake teaches us about Milwaukee Tool’s recent investment into the Outdoor Power Equipment industry. He shows us some of the features of their electric Top Handle Chainsaw and the Pole Saw.
Chad and David share with us details on Arkansas Urban Forestry Council’s Natural State Tree Climbing Championship.
Evan grew up in the midwest and was drawn to the west by his passion for snowboarding. Growing up with a dad as a firefighter and mom as a nurse he always wanted to do something to serve his community. After working as a firefighter he was eventually introduced to Dave and Michale who founded a tree company and started Evan in the arborist field. He has worked for various tree companies and now is a trainer with Wright Tree Service.
Megan and Josiah educate us about Edelrid's Climb Green initiative which included getting their equipment Blue Sign certified signifying that it has been manufactured to strict safety and environmental requirements.
David is a scholar of leadership, owner of Joseph Tree, and a Captian with the city of Columbus Fire Department. He joins us to share some of what he has learned and spoken about at the TCIA expo in years past. As David says, "A culture of accountability is dependent on good leadership."
Anthony Le Bigot's grandparents founded Solidur in 1946. Following WWII they decided to start producing safety shoes for farmers then moved into clothing for forestry. Solidur is the first company in world to meet the EU standard Category III PPE.
Korey is a Field Safety and Training Supervisor for Mountain Enterprise. He joins us to talk about the importance of proper onboarding and how to effectively retain an employee.
Matt Meckley joins us at Arbor Fest to explain The 7 Part Falling Plan. He walks us through the process, from assessment to a successfully fallen tree.
At age 16 Kevin saw some arborists on his way home from school and asked if he could get a job with them. They said come back when you're 18 and that's what he did. He's been working in trees ever since.
After being in and out of trouble as a young man Jon was sent to the Teen Challenge recovery program. During the 1.5 years of this work based recovery program he was able to learn the trade of tree work. After the program he was offered his first job with Professional Tree Services in Eureka, CA . Since then he has worked 9 years in trees and been 9 years clean.
Industry leaders Blair Williams, Tripp Wycoff, Nick Bonner, and Josiah Georgeson educate us about Edelrid's Climb Green initiative of sustainable and ethical material sourcing and manufacturing. https://edelrid.com/us-en/sustainability
Andres and Flavia join us from Uruguay to talk about their companies, Arborista and Pro Arbol, and what they do for training and work in Latin America.
Megan Bujnowski and Josiah Georgeson join us from Edelrid to speak to the features of their TreeRex Triple lock Harness as well as what goes into a harness pre-climb visual inspection.
Joe Aiken and Korey Lofy of Arborjet and The Discovering Forestry Podcast join us and share there background and take on the tree industry.
Tracy Cline joins is the forestry brand ambassador for Haix boots in North America. Haix is a German boot manufacturer that's been around since the 1940s when they started making boots for other companies. They use the highest quality bull leather to make boots for the following industries: Forestry/Arboriculture, Fire/Rescue, EMS/Station, Law Enforcement, Military, and Safety/Workwear.
Daryl Stanby joins us at Arborfest to share his path into the tree industry. It all started with a friend of a friend called Daryl and told him to come work for Extreme Tree and to "learn these 5 knots before you show up in a week." Daryl has been a full time tree guy ever since.
Bill Burley and Jon Sullivan teach us about Teufelberger's new Tree Motion Pro harness.
Kevin and Brett have been in the industry for 15+ years working primarily in the Southeast. They speak a bit about the culture there and how they are trying to make a positive impact.
Courant has been making rope since 1825. Patrick Fitch, climbing ambassador/product tester, and Peter DeVries, Courant product specialist, teach us about Courant's new Kalimba Rope. It's a dual purpose 24 strain rope with a very low elongation of 1.8%.
Alex is a first generation tree man who went to WBU and got a degree in forrest mgmt. He wanted to do timber resource and took care of historic trees in Maryland until he opened his own tree company in 2017. Declan was doing plumbing and wanted to work outside and now climbs with Shy Tree.
Jonathon Hensley joins Phil Rogacki and Tanner Bartee to talk about his chainsaw modification company - The Nobody Saw Builder Company. When he entered the logging industry he had a want for more power. After meeting one guy with a ported chainsaw he decided he had to dive into how to do that himself. Many years and chainsaws later he has learned how to get the most power possible out of any saw.
Amanda originally got introduced to the industry through her older brother. He would take her on side jobs to pull brush and even got bought her first harness. She got serious about climbing after meeting her soon to be mentor, Philip Ruiz, at the North American Climbing Comp in 2016.
Josiah Georgeson, Work Safety and Territory Manager for Edelrid, talks to us about the Edelrid Megawatt descender.
Joshua Burr got started dragging brush at 16 years old. After a few years he went to a Bartlett Arborist Supply open house where he got his first glimpse of how to safely climb trees. He met some instructors and got into his first tree climbing competition at 17. He's had the climbing bug ever since.
The boys give their thoughts on foot ascenders and Jared talks about the one he uses; the Petzl Pantin.
Bill Burley, Lead Trainer of the Strike Team and General Manager at Mowbray’s joins us at ArborFest 2022. Bill started at the age of 14 by dragging brush and chopping wood for a family friend's tree company - Verrier Tree Services.
Jared and Phil talk about how Saw Dogs play an integral part in lining up cuts, getting in good position, and handling the saw.
Greg Roberts, Kurtis Fosnaugh, and Ben Kravitz join Phil at the TCIA Expo to talk about their experience owning and working with Sennebogen.
Jared speaks to the pros, cons, and everything in-between for the Petzl Zig Zag and the Petzl Chicane. The Zig Zag is a Mechanical Prusik climbing system and the Chicane is an auxiliary braking system which attaches on top of the Zig Zag and allows for single rope systems (SRS).
Jeff Inman grew up rock climbing in VA and studied Natural Resource Conservation at Virginia tech. During his last year of school he discovered Arboriculture and realized it was a profession that allowed him to climb every day.
Josiah Georgeson, Work Safety and Territory Manager for Edelrid, shares with us some of the features and benefits of the Edelrid Hand Cruiser ascender. https://edelrid.com/us-en/sport/rope-clamps-shop/hand-cruiser-right
Larry Martony and Colby Kuhn talk about starting their company, The Arbor Group, during the Pandemic and some of the challenges they faced.
Jared and Phil cover the many uses of Dyneema Slings and how this simple piece of gear can really help you in a pinch.
Erick Saunders was struggling through college at Penn State when a forestry professor suggested he drop out and utilize his natural climbing abilities and pursue tree work full time. The professor told him to reach out to Forman & Biller Tree Service in Arlington where he got his training and started a career in the world of trees.
Phil and Jared kick off their new Gear Talk series with an episode about carabiners. In this series they will answer questions on everything from large equipment like Sennebogens and chippers to carabiners and apparel. In this episode they cover 3 Petzl carabiners: AMD, OK, and the William.
Author Elaina Noelle joins Phil in the studio to share her insights for helping increase employee engagement, productivity, and accountability. She is the author of Inspiring Accountability in the Workplace and Happiness is Overrated. Learn more about Elaina and her work at www.inspiringaccountability.com and www.elainanoell.com.@inspiringaccountabilityatwork, @elainanoell
After high school Jesus Torres picked up some tree work with a friend and got his first experience watching a climber make some cuts. From then on he knew he wanted to be in this high adrenaline field and sought out a mentor to set him on his path.
Zach Shier joins us at TCIA Expo where he gave presentations on Foliar/Soil Testing and Urban Tree Nutrition. He talks about plant health care, soil science, and how to use them effectively and practically.
Anthony Pedro and Steven Greene both learned the trade of fire fighting while incarcerated. After being released Anthony applied to a local fire department and was lucky enough to interview with someone who decided to give him a second chance. Anthony’s story is unique as many individuals that come from non-traditional backgrounds and/or that have been in the prison system have trouble getting hired. In an effort to give hands on experience and job placement assistance to ALL individuals wanting to enter the fire service Anthony decided to start Future Fire Academy. https://futurefireacademy.org/
John Lobevero has been in the tree industry since the young age of 11. As a kid he would skip middle school to trim trees and hedge around his neighborhood. He started a DBA at 19, LLC at 22 then incorporated his company at the age of 27.
Jessica Henderson joins us in the studio and talks about her love for pine cones, tree care and tree education.
Jordan Cooper has been taking care of trees for 10 years now. Out of high school he worked for a friend's dad on a sign company where he first was able to experience working at height. After that company shut down he got introduced to the tree industry via a staffing agency and has been it ever since.
Listen to the story of Julio Cesar and Nacho Libre as they share their story in our first ever Spanish episode.
Bob Longo first got introduced to forestry in middle school via a neighbor. He attended a vocational high school which had a great forestry program and gave him the opportunity to compete in forestry through FFA. After high school he got into the industry and never looked back.
David White, TCIA CEO, joins us to talk about his experience joining TCIA and all the resources available for those owning and operating their own tree care business.
Mark Gaudet grew up with a mother who worked for the parks department. She often brought him to the office where he got to hang with forestry guys. After a few rides in the bucket truck a new interest had formed.
Rudy wanted to avoid cubicle life and decided to study Forestry at Virginia Tech. He really found his path during an Urban Forestry class which he thought was the perfect mix of biology and tree stuff without the isolation of only working in the woods.
Tanner Bartee talks about his experiences coming up in the tree industry and what qualities help set him apart.
Tom Dunn talks about his time working for TCIA and how he now consults and assists arborists with their insurance needs.
Travis talks about navigating his way through the tree industry and how he was offered his first job after climbing a tree at a bbq to retrieve his friend's stuck drone.
Yahya from Arbo Space joins us to talk about how his company started with ropes in the marine industry and moved into manufacturer and the distributing the latest technology of Tree Climbing Products.
Dustin Goodman always enjoyed working off the ground. He started with roofing then transitioned into lighting and then finally became a full time tree guy.
After leaving law enforcement Tracy Cline stared working for a high end German work boot manufacture Haix. She now helps arborists around the world protect their feet.
David O'Neil lived spent 8 days straight (over a month in total) in a tree protesting a pipeline which was set to go across a friend's farm. During that time he decided that he wanted to purse a career climbing trees.
Andres Vernego joins Phil at ArborFest 2022 to share his journey from growing up within a military family in Uruguay and going to university for agriculture. He speaks about arbor-culture in Latin America and how he became a leading expert in the field of risk assessment after doing the largest non invasive tree risk assessment study in the world.
Jason Lague talks about how his ability to speak German helped transition him from a corporate job he didn't enjoy into working in the tree industry with Teufelberger.
Gisele Purdy of Manic Woodshop joins us during the Shultz Academy to share her experiences creating custom wood pieces.
Jimmy Grand tells us about his life growing up in Prineville, OR and how he bought an arborist company before having ever climbed a tree!
Jorge and Ulices talk about their experience coming up in the tree industry and life as an instructor with Academy Trained.
Roderick Franklin joins us from Durham, NC after a long day of hands on learning with Academy Trained. He talks about his experience in the industry, love of gear, and all things training. As Roderick says, "move with love" and "don't be a Jackleg!"
Mike drops his knowledge this week about how to be a leader at work. Learn how to take charge and master your career on this episode of Two Tree Guys! You're not gonna want to miss this one.
Clogger Pete and Phil Rogers from New Zealand-based Clogger talk about the industry, safety, and more. Find out why a top company in the industry makes products “for the extremes”.
Bill Burley, Lead Trainer of the Strike Team and General Manager at Mowbray’s joins us in the studio. We talk about leadership, competition, attitude, and more. Listen and learn from the best in the industry!
Hans Tielmann and Travis Vickerson join us for a pop-in studio visit! Hear what these two industry titans have to say on this episode of Two Tree Guys.
Mike drops his knowledge this week about how we are in the Age of Big Data. It is necessary you monitor your statistics in the tree service industry. Also, Mike shares his 7 key steps to achieving this and more. Check out this great episode.
Industry leader, Patrick Morgan joins us to share his story. ”Birds of a feather, flock together. If you want to be better, be around better people. Surround yourself with those people who challenge you to step up.” - Patrick.
Don't miss this great episode as he shares his tree industry secrets and more...
Phil Ruiz, a CA native, joins us as a first-generation arborist. He shares his passion for teaching at Mount San Antonio College. “I want to give back to where I started.” - Phil. He currently runs one of the largest landscape companies in the world. Don’t miss this great episode.
Alex Raab, a graduate of Appalachian State University joins us from Charlotte, North Carolina to share his passion for teaching fellow tree care industry people how to earn respect in the industry. Start from the literal ground and be the best “glorified outdoor janitor” you can be. Until you have raked a pile of leaves equivalent to the size of a football field, you don’t really understand the industry. You will get a raker’s elbow and it hurts. If you can figure out a way to be ok with that lifestyle then you have earned the right to get in that tree!
Tripp Wycoff (named one of the most admired CEOs of 2019 and also known as the chief squirrel herder) and Tom Andersen (Vice President, Sales & Customer Service) join us from Vertical Supply Group (VSG) to share how they got to the top in the tree care industry. Both are currently running the world’s largest manufacturer, online retailer, and distributor of arborist tools and equipment at VSG. Do not miss this truly epic episode as both of these men share how they are working at enhancing product development, manufacturing, and equipment supply. They are changing the tree industry for the better. VSG also created a trust fund called the FallenFamilies Fund to help people hurt in the industry. Don't miss this great episode as they share industry secrets and more...
Our guest, Cameron Kuklick, at the young age of 30, has already left his mark in the tree industry! He is a college graduate, a Certified ISA, and a tree care specialist at Sennebogen. Cameron joins us to share his industry experience. Cameron’s adventure began at Davey’s as a Climber, Crew Leader, Foreman, etc. Learn how he grew himself into a very successful Sales Specialist at Sennebogen and more.
Our guest, Mike Volkin, serial entrepreneur, author of 7 books (one best-seller), and 5 business exits joins us to discuss his 5 key steps to building a successful business in the tree care industry. Learn about his "First 5 Letters" Framework!
Mark Shipp, founding broker of Arbor Max, Senior Executive Vice President for Hub International, and simply known for being a great hugger, standing at 6ft 7in tall joins us to share his 28 years of industry knowledge. Mark became a top leader in tree care insurance and risk management. He is a tried and true guru, a good friend, and more. Learn How to Become a Tree Care Industry and Risk Management Guru!
Travis Vickerson is a safety leader at The Davey Resource Group, discusses the challenges of getting into the tree care industry and moving up once you're there. Join us as he discusses the Challenges of Getting into the Tree Care Industry and more.
Chris Schra comes to us with over 25 years of experience in the tree industry. He has visited 45 countries and all 50 U.S states. By the time Chris was 14, he would spend his time at home doing tree work. In 2011, he and his brother launched a tree care company that is now known as one of the best tree care businesses in Northern Colorado.
“You’ve got to know your numbers, if you don’t run your numbers, your business will run you.” says Chris
In this episode, Chris discusses his journey, his experience, and his trade secrets. Time to learn from the industry's best, stay tuned!
Travis Vickerson got into tree care at 17. Twenty years later, he’s been a firefighter, run a company, was a contract trainer & climber, has published in ISA and TCIA publications, authored books, and the list keeps going. He’s currently a Safety Consultant for Davey, and now he’s sitting with guys. In this edition of Two Tree Guys, Phil, Jared, and Travis talk about the industry they love and chat with listeners who are calling in with questions. So settle in to discover how great mentorship, education, and industry peers helped Travis get where he is today.
Today’s Beer: Old Caz Brewery, Rohnert Park, CA
Old Caz gets its name from Old Cazadero Road, a downright Jurassic path in West Sonoma County. This road connects the two former logging towns of Guerneville and Cazadero which still retain much of their wild, pioneering character. After countless hours spent driving and riding roads like Old Caz, they have gained almost mythical status. There is a deep sense of wonder here and the mission of the creators is to live up to what they consider to be the greatest place on Earth: Sonoma County
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Looking for some quick ideas to grow revenue? International, multi-industry marketing expert Mike Volkin, has helped 400+ companies and entrepreneurs build their business through strategic marketing. A serial entrepreneur, public speaker, army veteran, and author of multiple books, Michael sits down with Phil Rogacki in this edition of Two Tree Guys to take a deep dive into how to build your business with intentional, focused marketing. But if you want to jump straight into the juicy stuff - hop in at around the 11-minute mark to learn about easy things you can do to attract new or more customers even if you don't know anything about marketing!
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Buckle in! Our latest Two Tree Guys episode with special guest Lawrence Schultz has captivating insights and valuable info! Lawrence's conversation with Phil and Jared runs the gamut! From how he got his start in the industry, to what to expect in his Master Class @ Academy-Trained, to an exciting new scholarship contest the guys created on the spot, where you can nominate someone to attend a course at Academy-Trained for free! It's all here. Plus beer! Did we mention beer? The guys kick it off with some refreshing sips from Barrel Brothers Brewery out of Windsor, CA. We've provided some timestamps to pertinent topics so you can jump ahead or back it up as needed. Enjoy!
Timestamps (with embedded links to references):
00:02:20 Barrel Brothers Brewery intro
00:04:21 Lawrence @ Matt Meckley's Master Class
00:05:45 Lawrence's start in tree work
00:07:17 How long he's known Matt
00:07:41 Introducing Lawrence's Master Class @ Academy-Trained
00:12:03 The Shultz Effect
00:39:30 LMS
00:48:11 UK rigging research RR685
00:56:51 Nonprofit providing scholarships for tree care individuals. The elevated series.
01:01:32 Nominate your friend in a video for a free class #elevatedscholarship
01:12:20 Gagne's 9 instructional events
01:14:14 What to expect in Lawrence's Master Class
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Curtis Fosnaugh has nearly a quarter of a century in the industry under his belt. In this episode, we'll hear about what inspired him, how he became a tree worker for life. and a savvy businessman, producing videos that capture the essence of tree work for companies throughout the industry.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Jon Steiniger has been climbing trees since he was 13 years old. He's now the owner/arborist of Squirrel's Tree Care in East Moline, IL., an instructor, a trainer, and a devoted family man. Like a lot of climbers, he got where he is through hard work, tenacity, and a whole lot of bad-assery. Listen in as Jon and guest host Erick Palacios talk bout how he got started, what it took to get where he is and some cool trends they're seeing in the industry. Follow him on Facebook @squirrelcares.
We are BACK with a new mini-episode. Special guest host Erick Palacios is speaking with GUY CERULLO, a 4th generation arborist, NCCER Mobile Crane Operator expert, Director of Operator Development @ NJ Crane, and a hardworking businessman. His family's company, Long Island Tree Service, has been around for nearly 70 years, with Guy at the helm for the past decade, bringing the company and leading the industry safely into the 21st century.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
ISA Certified Arborist, award-winning competitive tree climber, and owner/operator of Wasach Arborists in Utah, Ryan Torciollo is our very special guest this week on the Two Tree Guys podcast. Listen as Ryan, Phil and Jared take a deep dive into the industry, friendships, beer and some serious adventure tales you wont want to miss.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Mega athlete, contract instructor, wingsuit-flying, skydiving coach, owner of a flourishing tree company, and devoted family man - Johnny Korthuis is always working, continually training, and constantly learning. Listen as guest host Erick Palacios speaks with this tree industry badass and general all-around ROCKSTAR about how they met and worked together after the fires as trainers and safety supervisors in Paradise, CA, the lessons they learned in those challenging times, and where they’re headed from here.
Check out some of Johnny’s links here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnnyKorthuis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnykorthuis
Company website: https://korthuistree.ca/
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
We're back with guest host Erick Palacios in a mini-episode captured on the floor of ArborExpo '21 with the ever-excellent DERRICK MARTIN. A successful contract climber and self-admitted adrenaline junkie, Derrick works hard, trains hard, and consistently pushes himself beyond his comfort zone to grow. Find out how he got started in the biz and catch his passion for the industry in this latest mini edition of Two Tree Guys.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Guest host Erick Palacios is at the helm this week, with a mini-episode captured on the floor of ArborExpo ‘21. Erick is not excited at all to be sitting in between “double-trouble” twins Dana & Grace Langshaw, they’re marketing pros in the crane industry and so much more. Check this mini-episode out!
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Phil Rogacki is challenging the standard, drinking beer, and learning from the best of the best, aka, Class-A badasses! Together with climbing legend Jared Abrojena, the Two Tree Guys are pleased to welcome MATT MECKLEY. Matt is a hazard tree feller and climber and is an expert at felling fire-weakened trees (super clutch when you’re living and working on the west coast). So, grab a cold one and listen up.
TODAYS BEER: Maumee Bay Brewing Co.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Phil Rogacki is challenging the standard, drinking beer, and learning from class-A badasses! Together with the world-renowned climbing legend Jared Abrojena, the Two Tree Guys are absolutely stoked to welcome one of the biggest badasses around, HANS TIELMANN, Board Licensed Tree Expert, Mobile Crane SME, and Founder of New Jersey Crane Expert (NJCE). Grab a cold one and check it out.
TODAYS BEER: Golden State Cider
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
Phil & Jared are chatting it up with their special guest, Erick Palacios, an experienced practitioner, team building coordinator, coach, and consultant in utility, municipal, commercial, and residential forestry. Listen in as Erick shares stories that illuminate his passion for the arboriculture industry and advancing the responsible care of trees, people, and businesses in government, civil, and private sectors.
TODAYS BEER(S): Courtesy of CROOKED GOAT BREWING - Sebastopol, CA
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Tradeshows are back! The Tree Guys went to the Arbor Expo in Valley Forge, PA, and can we just say, what happens on the road does not necessarily stay on the road. In this episode, Phil & Jared discuss what it was like to be back amongst the crowds, what they learned, the courses that were offered, and how awesome it was to re-connect in person with industry colleagues for the first time in a long time.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM
IT'S OUR FIRST OFFICIAL EPISODE! Grab a beer and Meet the Tree Guys!
Phil Rogacki, veteran tree-industry business-side badass and President of Atlas Tree, and Jared Abrojena, 9-time WCTCC climbing champ, co-owner of Evergreen Tree Care, and head instructor at Academy-Trained - are hanging out, sipping a cold one, and talking about the day.
We invite you to come along as Phil & Jared share personal insights and stories that may expand your view of what the tree service industry is all about. You'll be amazed to learn how the tree service industry - and the people who work in it - intertwine with innovation, history, adventure, the great outdoors, the future, and, oh yeah, beer. In each episode, the guys will try out a selected brand of beer and let you know what they think.
TODAY'S BEER: Rum Barrel Moheto & Hotsy Totsy - Devil Canyon Brewing Co. - San Carlos, CA
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TWO TREE GUYS PODCAST OR SUBMIT A GUEST SPEAKER REQUEST, VISIT OUR WEBSITE@ WWW.TWOTREEGUYS.COM