Brody Olson, Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, may not have dreamed of a career in junk removal, but his journey is a powerful testament to the value of service, adaptability, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Brody shares his story, which began with a love for fishing and hunting and a dream of becoming a park ranger. He recounts his zig-zagging career path, from a brief stint as a biology major to exploring business and leadership, and the various jobs—from McDonald's to a plumber's helper to a custodian—that taught him valuable lessons about hard work and what he truly wanted in a career. He explains how a simple online job application led him to Two Men and a Truck, a role he initially saw as a stepping stone but which quickly became a launchpad for a decade-long career in management.

He gives us an inside look at the demanding and often unpredictable world of moving and junk removal, managing a team of 150 employees and a fleet of 50 trucks. Brody discusses the evolution of the company, from a traditional moving service to a one-stop shop that includes junk removal, storage, and even overseas relocation. He shares the valuable lessons he's learned about people, the importance of treating everyone with respect, and the power of giving yourself grace in a world that often feels cluttered. Brody also reflects on the leadership training that shaped his management style, the challenges of holding peers accountable, and the art of staying proactive in a reactive industry.

Episode in a glance

01:30 A Zig-Zagging Path Through College and Early Jobs
02:39 Finding a Career at Two Men and a Truck
04:25 The Difference Between Moving and Junk Removal
07:14 The Biggest Surprise About People and Their "Junk"
14:44 From a Job to a Career The Power of Mentorship
18:54 Advice for Finding Your Career Path

About Brody Olson

Brody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.

Connect with Brody Olson and his work

Website → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=en

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/

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Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste?

Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer behavior, the challenges faced in the fashion industry, and her innovative strategies for promoting a circular economy. Discover how her local, community-driven approach is paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion.

Episode in a glance

-The Birth of Circular Thrift: Early experiments and successes
-How Circular Thrift differs from traditional thrifting
-Driving Consumer Change: Lisa's approach to positive conversations (in a trike!)
-The Circular Thrift Pyramid Explained
-The Hyperlocal Advantage: Why neighborhood solutions matter
-Expanding the Circular Thrift Model

About Lisa Goldsand

Lisa Goldsand is the founder of Circular Thrift, a convenient clothing pick and drop off service that also does community swap events. She has a unique background, having spent almost 20 years working at Abercrombie & Fitch in various roles related to apparel retail operations. During her corporate career, Lisa gained extensive experience working with garment manufacturers, mills, and factories, giving her an in-depth understanding of the traditional linear supply chain process. After leaving Abercrombie & Fitch, she started Circular Thrift, driven by a desire to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry while empowering consumers to make a difference through their choices.

Learn more about Circular thrift here and catch their next event → https://www.circularthrift.org/

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John Seryak, the founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes that real change in the energy sector starts with listening to the people on the ground. In this episode, he shares the origin story of his company, the evolution of its mission, and the powerful "aha!" moments that drive his team to create a more sustainable and equitable energy future. John offers a refreshingly honest and multifaceted origin story for Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how a desire to "front-load his midlife crisis" and a deep dive into the lives of historical changemakers like Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, and Albert Einstein inspired him to start his own company at the age of 27. He discusses his vision to create a workplace with purpose, where human connection is valued, and where the work itself contributes to solving critical social and environmental issues.

He takes us inside Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how they provide accurate, unbiased information to help clients navigate the complex world of energy efficiency, load management, and distributed generation. John emphasizes the critical role of understanding and engaging all stakeholders, from the C-suite to the often-overlooked facility staff who are the true masters of a building's energy systems. He shares a powerful success story from the Ohio History Connection, where simple, common-sense solutions, championed by the facility staff, led to a staggering 50% reduction in energy use.

John reflects on the company's 19-year journey, highlighting the dramatic shifts in technology—from a time when solar and LEDs were science fiction to today's rapidly evolving landscape of EVs and smart grids. He discusses how this has changed the needs of his clients and the focus of his work, and introduces Go's subsidiary, RunnerStone, which provides crucial technical expertise to the policy and regulatory space.

Episode in a glance

00:42 The Unexpected Origin Story of Go Sustainable
04:46 What Go Sustainable Energy Actually Does
06:22 The Secret Champions: Facility Staff
09:55 The Ohio History Connection
13:25 19 Years of Change in the Energy Sector
17:04 RunnerStone Bridging Engineering and Policy

About John Seryak

John Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.

Connect with John and his work

• Website → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/
• John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/
• Go Sustainable Energy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/

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