PODCAST · business
Two Tree Guys
by Phil Rogacki & Jared Abrojena
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.
Episodes
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#186: Gear Talk - Lisa McCoy - Mauget MXT
Lisa McCoy, VP of Sales and Operations at J.J. Mauget, breaks down the evolution of tree injection—from Mauget’s pioneering micro-injection system in 1958 to the creation of the MXT (Mauget Xylem Translocator). Designed over three years with help from Cal Poly Pomona, the battery-powered MXT...
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#185: What’s Your Story? - Chris Phelps - Paramount Tree Services
Chris Phelps shares his journey from growing up in historic Williamsburg, VA to becoming Owner and CEO of Paramount Tree Services. From early loss and leaving high school to starting a lawn care business, facing major setbacks, and finding mentorship in tree work, this episode is about…
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#184: What’s Your Story? - Jordan Tielmann and Arborfest
Jordan Tielmann shares how her background in running nearly 90 trade shows led her into the tree industry and, alongside her husband Hans, to taking over Arborfest. More than a trade show, Arborfest is an experience built by tree people, for tree people, focused on education, networking, and...
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#183: What’s Your Story? - Ulrich Baumgardner
Kansas native Ulrich Baumgardner found the tree industry through cutting firewood, hunting from trees, and falling down a YouTube rabbit hole. Inspired by arborist creators, he joined Wellnitz Tree Company after seeing them bid a job at his home, starting as a groundie and quickly embracing...
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#182: What’s Your Story? – Kevin Hamm
Kevin Hamm’s passion for trees began in high school and grew into a lifelong career. After years of tree work on a college campus and at a federal prison, often while working two jobs, he launched Hamm’s Arbor Care following a major 1998 storm. Kevin weathered the 2008 downturn without filing for...
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#181: What’s Your Story? - Zach Czirr
Zach Czirr of HAIX Boots shares his journey from beer marketing to building premium footwear brands for first responders in the U.S. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Zach has always been a marketing guy with a passion for elevating strong brands. After a life-altering cliff-jumping…
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#180: Innovation Talk - Jalen Rocha - Husqvarna New Battery Powered Top Handle Chainsaw
Jalen Rocha joins Innovation Talk to discuss Husqvarna’s latest battery-powered top handle chainsaws and the shift toward electrification in the arborist industry. Covering the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Northern Nevada, Jalen shares his journey from ArborWorks to becoming a passionate…
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#179: Safety Talk - Chris Phelps of Paramount Tree Services and Bob Lehman of Academy Trained - OSHA and Safety Programs
In this episode, we dive deep into OSHA, safety culture, and what it really takes to build a safer tree care company. Chris Phelps, owner of Paramount Tree Services in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Bob Lehman of Academy Trained break down Paramount’s “Year of Safety,” the role of TCIA, and why...
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#182: What’s Your Story? – Kevin Hamm
Kevin Hamm’s passion for trees began in high school and grew into a lifelong career. After years of tree work on a college campus and at a federal prison, often while working two jobs, he launched Hamm’s Arbor Care following a major 1998 storm. Kevin weathered the 2008 downturn without filing for...
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#178: What’s Your Story? - Jason Numemacher
Jason Numemacher talks about his path from a hardworking upbringing with a single mom and three brothers to leadership in the tree care industry. After burning out in debt collection, he moved into tree service management, where his skills in systems, communication, and sales helped grow…
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#177: Innovation Talk - Kyle Ellis and Boel Hammarstrand - Solidur
Kyle Ellis and Boel Hammarstrand share their arborist journeys and dive into Solidur’s evolution from a post-WWII French footwear company to a modern, eco-responsible PPE manufacturer. The episode highlights Solidur’s newest tree climbing boot, designed specifically for SRT, featuring an…
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#176: What’s Your Story? - Elizabeth Rodewald - TCIA
Elizabeth Rodewald, Manager of Corporate Engagement at TCIA, shares her journey from growing up in a Southern California forestry family to discovering her purpose in the tree care industry. After studying horticulture in New York and a brief stint in the fashion world, a bad experience pushed…
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#175: Training Talk - Jeff Beeler - Facebook: TSO - Tree Service Owner's Group
We sit down with the founder of TSO – Tree Service Owners, a free community of more than 11,000 companies growing 5% every month. Built by a 26-year industry veteran, TSO is a vendor-free, owner-only space designed for real questions, constructive conversations, and shared learning. With hundreds...
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#174: Gear Talk - Jason and Shayna Shadowen - My Office Help
Shayna Shadowen grew up a third-generation electrical worker, and Jason married into the trade. After years in new construction and eventually running a service company, they discovered a need for better office support in small rural trades businesses. That led to My Office Help—an outsourced...
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#173: What’s Your Story? - Caelan Newton
Caelan Newton grew up in a small town in Maine, discovering early on that sports weren’t his passion but hard work was. From summer deckhand jobs at 15 to concrete work, manual labor, and running around his dad’s crane shop, he developed a deep love for gear, machines, and the trades. After…
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#172 - Elevated Story - Hank Ortiz - Arbornote Software
Born and raised in California, Hank Ortiz built his career in sales and marketing before spending five years in Europe, where he met his wife and deepened his love for food, farming, and the outdoors. Combining his background in tech with his passion for agriculture, Hank set out to create…
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#171: Innovation Talk - Andy Jones Rooted Arbor Care - Battery Tools and Power Management
Join the Two Tree Guys for an Innovation Talk with Andy Jones, co-founder of Rooted Arbor Care, as he shares his real-world journey leading a tree care company into the battery-powered era. Andy dives deep into testing top brands like Milwaukee, Husqvarna, Stihl, EGO, Makita, and Greenworks,...
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#170: Elevated Story - Phil Hoffman - Skylotec Climbing Technology
Phil shares how Skylotec, a family-owned German manufacturer and Europe’s largest carabiner maker, has grown from its mountaineering roots into industrial fall protection and tree climbing innovations. With brands like Climbing Technology, Skylotec develops ascenders, fall protection systems, and...
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#169: What’s Your Story? - Rob Totaro - Tree Craft LLC
Rob Totaro, second-generation arborist and CEO of Tree Craft, shares his powerful story of resilience—from early struggles and addiction to recovery and rebuilding his life through tree work. With roots in a family business and a passion for safety, Rob is dedicated to professionalizing the...
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#168: What’s Your Story? - Ian Lewis
Ian Lewis shares his journey from an unexpected start in Durango with the Conservation Corps to becoming a skilled climbing arborist. With early lessons on white pines in New Hampshire, mentorship, and a drive to self-educate, Ian built a career in technical removals and rigging—while passing...
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#167: Innovation Talk - Jamie Mairs - Green-Tec
Jamie Mairs of Green-Tec shares how Terex entered the growing tree and vegetation management industry, focusing on mechanized arboriculture, safety, and efficiency. From tree handlers to spider lifts, Jamie highlights product innovation, dealer support, and the future of equipment shaping modern...
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#166: What’s Your Story? - Jason Pinegar - West Coast Arborists
Jason Pinegar shares his 30-year journey with West Coast Arborists, rising from a young snowboard bum in Big Bear to Vice President of one of the largest tree companies in the West. He reflects on his early break into the industry, lessons in safety and customer care, and a career dedicated to...
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#165: Innovation Talk - Grayson Keating, Chad Brey and Tim Womick - Tree Circus
An inside look at Tree Circus, the interactive traveling show inspiring kids and communities to connect with trees. From teaching everyday people how to climb, to planting the vision of big trees in parks across the world, the crew shares their journey as modern-day Johnny Appleseeds—bringing...
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#164: What’s Your Story? - Kyle Biancardi
From welding to web development to equipment sales, Kyle Biancardi’s journey is anything but traditional. After breaking into crane safety training, he found his place in the tree industry and now sells BIK boom trucks and grapple saw trucks in the Northeast. Kyle shares how he’s helping...
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#163: Training Talk - Wister Dorta - Tree Preservation Around Construction Sites
Wister Dorta shares insights from his journey through NYC Parks, California forestry permitting, and plant health care, bringing a unique perspective on balancing tree preservation with construction. He discusses helping arborists, architects, and contractors navigate permits, streamline…
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#162: Innovation Talk - Jake Tietler - Milwaukee
Jake Tietler shares Milwaukee’s journey into the tree care industry with their groundbreaking battery-powered saws. From four years of ground-up development to unmatched torque, power, and durability, Milwaukee is aiming to replace gas saws entirely—bringing safer, more productive tools to...
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#161: What’s Your Story? - Vanesa Tilan Fernandez
From the mountains of northern Spain to the snowy forests of Germany, Vanesa Tilan’s journey is one of grit, passion, and breaking barriers. A lifelong athlete and adventurer, she traded nursing school for forestry, mastered the art of tree climbing without knowing a word of English or German…
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#160: What’s Your Story? - Kyel Ciufi
From climbing trees as a kid in Colorado to becoming a contract climber and business owner, Kyel Ciufi shares his wild and inspiring journey. After some rough patches and four years in the Army, he found his passion in urban forestry. Kyel talks about learning the ropes with Bartlett Tree in...
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#159: Innovation Talk - Mark Russell - Clarity Markets
Started in 1997, this Atlanta-based ISA-certified arborist and licensed insurance adjuster shares how he combined his experience to launch 707 Arborist and later, Clarity Market—a platform built to streamline tree service pricing, contracts, and disaster response. From crane deployments to…
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#158: What’s Your Story? - Greg Parsley - Parsley Tree Service
Greg Parsley grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he launched into the green industry by fixing up discarded lawn mowers. After a brief brush with college, he followed his passion into remodeling, landscaping, and eventually tree care. In 2019, inspired by a friend in horticulture, Greg...
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#157: Innovation Talk - Tom Smith and Sonia Coyle - Century Products
Tom and Sonia dig into the power of handheld trenching with the GeoRipper and the impact of smart root barrier installation. From minimizing trip hazards in public spaces to preventing costly foundation and sidewalk damage, they share real-world insight on root control, equipment innovation, and...
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#156: Innovation Talk - Jennifer Walker and Laura Ahac - Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants
From dirt tracks to dive bars, Jennifer and Laura share their unlikely paths to Schaeffer’s, North America’s oldest lubrication company. Hear how a 19th-century candle and soap maker evolved into a modern lubrication powerhouse—and why they’re finally embracing marketing after nearly two…
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#155: What’s Your Story? - Sam Finco - Academy Trainer & The Arborist
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…
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#154: What’s Your Story? - Joe Wightman
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…
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#153: Training Talk - Emily Inman and John Wayne - Finding the Next Generation of Arborists
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...
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#152: What’s Your Story? - Omar Martinez - Pro Select Construction Services
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...
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#151: Innovation Talk - Jim Depolo - VP Racing Fuel
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.
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#150: What’s Your Story? - Jalen Rocha
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...
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#149: What’s Your Story? - Ryan Swederski
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…
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#148: What’s Your Story? - Sonia Coyle
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...
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#147: Training Talk - Sophie Arnold - Poor Man’s Pantin
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...
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#146: What’s Your Story? - Sam Cubeiro - Canopy Service Partners
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…
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#145: Training Talk - Suzanne Guzman - Introduction to AI
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,...
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#144: What’s Your Story? - Jonathan Foote - The Industrial Tarzan LLC.
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.…
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#143: Innovation Talk - Milly Stiles - Arbor Times
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...
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#142: Training Talk - Maximizing your Business Partnership - Dr. Jean, The Results Queen
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…
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#141: What's Your Story? - Rhonda Bell - Tree Tools USA
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...
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#140: Innovation Talk - Kyle Ellis and Anthony Lebigot - Hands Up by Hexarope
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...
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#139: What’s Your Story? - Kevin Tierney - Arborwear
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...
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#138: Innovation Talk - Jaime Merritt - Akimbo
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...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Two Tree Guys have?
Two Tree Guys currently has 187 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Two Tree Guys about?
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.
How often does Two Tree Guys release new episodes?
Two Tree Guys is no longer actively publishing new episodes, but the existing catalog remains available.
Where can I listen to Two Tree Guys?
You can listen to Two Tree Guys on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening.
Who hosts Two Tree Guys?
Two Tree Guys is created and hosted by Phil Rogacki & Jared Abrojena.
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