POWERS

JB Mauney, legendary professional bull rider and founder of BuckTown, reflects on riding, training bulls, and career-defining risks. He talks mentality, relentless practice, reading bulls, brutal injuries, chute strategy, and building BuckTown as a rider-first, old-school refuge. Short, vivid stories bring the culture, carnage, and camaraderie of top-level bull riding to life.

Carl Edwards, former NASCAR star and two-time Xfinity champion who left racing at his peak, tells the unlikely tale from a $1,500 dirt car to the Hall of Fame. He talks racing strategy, pit crew precision, the risky moves that launched his career, and the pivotal moment that made him walk away. He also covers rebuilding identity, faith, and returning to the sport on his own terms.

Christopher Zook, founder and CEO of CAZ Investments who built an $11B alternative investment platform, talks about building a firm by investing his own capital first. He recounts a locker-room turning point that reshaped capital formation. Conversation covers designing fee-aligned offers, GP stakes strategy and underwriting, thematic investing like media rights and sports, and democratizing access to alternatives.

Today’s episode is with a great friend of mine, Chris Huckabee, Founder @ MORE Group.   We unpack his company's remarkable private equity journey and why it was so successful.  Chris shares how the unexpected loss of his business partner pushed him to rethink the future of his company, leading to a strategic shift, a private equity partnership, and rapid national expansion.  We talk candidly about valuation surprises, building trust with employees during major transitions, and what makes a great private equity partner. Then we pivot to education reform, AI’s impact on schools, and the deeply personal story of how Chris helped lead the effort to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, after the tragic shooting. We discuss: • The process Chris went through to pursue private equity and national expansion • Why he told every employee about the strategic plan before making a deal • How to hire the right investment banker • The hard lessons around valuation, deal structure, and selecting the right private equity partner • What AI means for K–12 and higher education and where public education must improve • How he mobilized donors and contractors to rebuild Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX Links: MoreGroup - https://moregroup-inc.com/ Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-huckabee-693a3a31/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Topics: (00:03:19) - Chris’ journey to finding Private Equity (00:09:27) - Strategic planning (00:11:31) - Valuing the business (00:14:36) - People don’t like change (00:17:43) - Making the decision to pursue PE (00:21:28) - Finding the right Investment Banker (00:37:26) - Selecting a buyer (00:44:44) - The first day after selling to PE (00:47:59) - Going out to buy companies (00:51:16) - What makes a great PE partner (00:57:08) - The state of Education and AI (01:13:16) - Rebuilding Robb Elementary in Uvalde after the 2022 shooting Chris on Social Media: Chris on X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch POWERS on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO POWERS is produced by https://www.johnnypodcasts.com/

Todd Peterson, former NFL kicker turned faith leader and interim CEO of Seed Company, reflects on leadership, marriage, and the hidden risks of success. He talks about how isolation and pride lead men to fall. He outlines confession, accountability, daily spiritual rhythms, the role of close brothers, and why collaboration and humility sustain long-term influence.

Moses Kagan, an underwriting and asset-management leader who co-founded ReSeed, and Rhett Bennett, a builder of long-duration, tax-efficient real estate portfolios and co-founder of ReSeed, discuss backing emerging real estate operators. They cover ReSeed’s $100M+ track record, operator selection and cohort structure, hands-on asset and construction management, underwriting and capital strategy, and where they see market opportunities.

In this conversation, Ryan Heath, founder of TrustPoint Legal and an expert in estate planning, dives into the transformative concept of "Family Office 2.0." He discusses how modern family offices evolve into dynamic organizations prioritizing values and legacy over mere tax efficiency. Ryan emphasizes the importance of flexible planning, effective communication during liquidity events, and intentional family meetings for aligning multi-generational goals. His insights encourage families to rethink their legacy planning, focusing on emotions, adaptability, and shared purpose.

Steve Gatena, Co-founder and CEO of Pray.com, shares his inspiring journey from college football player at USC to creating a faith-based platform. He discusses the cultural resistance in Hollywood towards faith, the importance of strong male role models, and building community. Steve explains his 'Mission, Team, Self' leadership framework and highlights stewardship in business. He also emphasizes the need for accountability among men and outlines Pray.com's innovative approach to blending technology with spiritual engagement.

Colt McCoy, a former NFL quarterback and now a Fort Worth real estate entrepreneur, shares his journey from small-town Texas to a 14-season football career. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped him, including his rise from anonymity to leading the Texas Longhorns. Colt reflects on the emotional weight of his 2009 national championship injury, his mentors in the NFL, and the courageous decision to retire and pursue a new path. With insights on leadership and adapting to change, he emphasizes the importance of faith and family in navigating life transitions.

Cody Campbell, a former college football player and Texas Tech board member, shares his insights on the transformation within college athletics. He discusses how changing laws opened opportunities for schools like Texas Tech to thrive amid chaos. Cody highlights the financial strain on athletic departments and the risks to smaller sports. He advocates for federal reform as crucial for stability and warns against the influences of private equity and fragmented media rights. With a focus on preserving the cultural importance of college sports, he inspires action for meaningful change.