Spectruss Speakeasy Podcast

When Clay Watson's helicopter plummeted 1,500 feet after losing its tail rotor above a Hawaiian lava field, he had just enough time to begin the Lord's Prayer before impact. That harrowing moment in June 2022 forever changed how the third-generation leader of Mountain View Auto Group approaches both business and life.

Whether you're fascinated by family business dynamics, the resilience required to weather e...

What if everything you thought you knew about cybersecurity was dangerously wrong? John Anthony Smith, Founder & Chief Security Officer of Fenix24, delivers a wake-up call that will fundamentally change how you think about protecting your organization's digital assets.

The hard truth: 86% of organizations don't have a single survivable backup copy, and since January, over 90% of backups examined  didn't ...

In this episode, Sam Silvey sits down with Matt McLelland, VP of Sustainability and Innovation at Covenant Logistics, for a real and honest conversation about the future of freight, green energy, and what it actually takes to move toward sustainable trucking.

From the truth behind hydrogen and electric trucks to the economics of clean energy, Matt breaks down what most people get wrong about “going green” in logistics. They also tal...

Seth Cathy, grandson of Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, joins us for an incredible conversation that spans three generations of entrepreneurship, adventure, and staying grounded despite massive success.

We explore the remarkable origin story of Chick-fil-A - from Truett's Depression-era childhood where "the only toy he had was his brother's loose tooth" to selling Coca-Cola bottles at age 8, and the tragic plan...

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam sits down with Austin Webster, third-generation president of The Barn Nursery, to explore how a humble $1,500 roadside fruit stand grew into one of the top nurseries in the country. Austin shares fascinating insights about the plant industry—from seven-year topiary growing processes to managing over a million plants annually—and reveals how Chattanooga's unique biodiversity creates t...

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam Silvey sits down with John Wiygul, founder and president of High Point Climbing and Fitness. From explaining what rock climbing even was to skeptical bankers 12 years ago to now operating eight facilities across three states, John shares the remarkable journey of building the Southeast's premier climbing gym brand.

A lifelong climber who used to skip elementary school to hit the rocks...

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam Silvey sits down with Jonathan Bragdon, founder of Capacity Ventures, to explore the contrarian approach to venture capital in today's economy. Jonathan shares his journey from building and exiting companies to launching a venture fund focused on capital-efficient businesses in the Southeast.

With decades of experience as both founder and investor, Jonathan offers invaluable insights ...

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, we're diving skin-deep with Emily Brewer, founder of The Derm Center in Chattanooga and host of the upcoming Derm Expert Podcast. With 17 years in dermatology, Emily shares her journey from accidental discovery to passionate provider, her patient-first philosophy, and the psychology behind skincare. We talk real skin struggles—from rosacea to melanoma—and why education, empathy, and less...

For 140 years, Fowler Brothers Home & Patio has been more than just a business—it’s been a legacy. In this episode of Spectruss Speak Easy, Carter Fowler shares what it takes to keep a fifth-generation family business thriving when less than 1% make it this far. From honoring tradition to embracing change, Carter dives into the power of consistency, branding, and building trust with customers over generations.

We’ll explore the ...

Podcast Description:

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, we sit down with Genesis the Grey Kid, a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and creative entrepreneur, to explore the intersection of art, music, business, and culture. From Chattanooga’s creative scene to navigating the music industry, Genesis shares raw insights on staying authentic in a world driven by algorithms. We discuss his transition from hip-hop to fine art, his tho...

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, we’re throwing superstition out the window—screw unlucky 13, we’re making it lucky! 🚀 Sam Silvey, founder of Spectruss, sits down with longtime creative director Justin Aragon to reflect on 13 years of building brands, wild pivots, and design that made waves.

From sleeping on a futon in a one-room office to crafting iconic brands like Hutton & Smith Brewing and Fowler Brothers, they break...

This episode dives into the personal journey of Sam Silvey, owner and founder of Spectruss, who transitioned from professional cycling to building an award winning, full service marketing and advertising company. Key themes include embracing change, learning from setbacks, and the importance of a strong foundation in entrepreneurship.

• The decision to drop out of school for cycling 
• The challenges faced during a pro...