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POWERS

POWERS

By: Chris Powers
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POWERS brings you inside the minds of world-class leaders who have built, battled, and succeeded at the highest levels. POWERS digs beyond the surface with questions driven by curiosity, uncovering stories and insights rarely shared publicly. Each episode delivers timeless wisdom and hard-earned lessons that apply across business and life. The show has earned a reputation for asking the right questions at the right moment. The focus is on timeless principles, proven through years of discipline and risk, not on shortcuts. Each conversation is direct, deliberate, and designed to leave listeners sharper than when they arrived. The aim is simple: to deliver insights that matter and can be carried into business and life. Since its launch, POWERS has drawn a high-caliber audience of builders, investors, and decision makers. Past guests have represented companies such as Starwood Capital, JLL, Hillwood Capital, Chick-fil-A, Morning Brew, Founders Podcast, Tiny Capital, Permanent Equity, Fort, Matthews REIS, Bonobos, and ConvertKit. At its core, POWERS is a celebration of leadership, of work that matters, and of the American spirit that makes it possible.2025 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • #407 - JB Mauney - The Greatest Bull Rider That Ever Lived

    #407 - JB Mauney - The Greatest Bull Rider That Ever Lived
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode, I sit down with JB Mauney to unpack the mindset, discipline, and resilience required to become one of the greatest bull riders in the world. We talk through the realities of competing at the highest level while constantly dealing with injuries, and how mental toughness separates the best from the rest. JB shares how he approached his career with a singular focus, what it meant to fully commit without a backup plan, and how he navigated the abrupt transition out of the sport. This conversation offers a raw look at what it takes to pursue excellence in one of the most physically and mentally demanding professions. We discuss: - The role of mental toughness in separating elite performers from the rest - Why riding through pain was a necessity, not a choice - The philosophy of “make plan A work” and going all in on one path - How injuries and setbacks compound over a long career - Transitioning out of a career with no clear backup plan Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:27) - What does it mean to “work bulls”?(00:06:23) - How can you tell if a bull is good?(00:11:35) - JB’s approach to bull riding(00:16:39) - JB’s early life and bull riding(00:23:07) - Being in control of a bull(00:28:00) - How bulls differ(00:32:07) - What’s happening in the chute?(00:40:44) - JB’s injury list(00:43:10) - What makes the difference between the top bull rider and the 50th best bull rider?(00:51:22) - Mental vs. physical technique(00:55:02) - How much do the bull fighters matter?(00:57:28) - Why causes a rider to be thrown off?(01:01:14) - Riding Bushwhacker and what makes the perfect bull(01:14:35) - When bulls die & retire(01:18:55) - BuckTown(01:22:12) - A typical week for a professional bull rider(01:23:37) - The lacerated liver story(01:30:58) - Why BuckTown is a bull rider’s paradise(01:36:24) - How riding is scored(01:43:43) - How do you “practice” bull riding?(01:51:16) - The cowboy code of riding(01:55:48) - Giving a bull a brand of honor(01:57:55) - How they move bulls around the country for rodeos(02:10:05) - Raising bulls in BuckTown(02:12:46) - JB’s routine(02:16:05) - The ABBI(02:20:37) - The buzz around BuckTown(02:30:20) - When a bull knows who their rider was(02:33:43) - Is there one ride over your career that sticks with you?(02:39:10) - Can a bull get a 50 score?(02:46:55) - Wrapping up Links: BuckTown on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BuckTown-XV BuckTown on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bucktown_xv/ Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort 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/
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    2 hrs and 56 mins
  • #406 - Carl Edwards - From a $1,500 Race Car to the Hall of Fame (and Why He Walked Away)

    #406 - Carl Edwards - From a $1,500 Race Car to the Hall of Fame (and Why He Walked Away)
    Mar 17 2026
    In this episode, I sit down with NASCAR legend Carl Edwards to explore the unlikely journey that took him from a dirt track in Missouri to the highest levels of professional racing. Carl shares how a childhood fascination with his father’s racing career sparked a relentless pursuit that eventually led to NASCAR success. Along the way, we unpack the strategy behind racing, the persistence it took for Carl to break into the sport, and the pivotal moments that defined his career. We also discuss the surprising decision to walk away from racing at the height of his career and the deeper personal transformation that followed. We discuss: - Carl’s early inspiration from watching his father race and the moment he knew he wanted to drive race cars - The persistence and unconventional path it took to break into professional racing and reach NASCAR - The strategic complexity of racing, from managing tire grip to communicating with engineers and crew - Why Carl chose to retire at the peak of his career and the realization that reshaped his priorities - The identity shift, spiritual journey, and life lessons that came after stepping away from racing Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:23) - Carl’s early days racing(00:09:37) - The strategy behind auto racing(00:13:05) - Why isn’t everyone driving a “1st place” car?(00:19:28) - How important is the pit crew?(00:22:13) - What does a typical week look like for a NASCAR driver?(00:23:56) - Carl’s career storyline(00:39:58) - The conversation that led Carl to consider walking away from the sport(00:51:50) - Rebuilding life after NASCAR(01:02:06) - The impact of Cloud Camp & John Marsh(01:17:08) - Being inducted into the NASCAR hall of fame(01:22:15) - What Carl is doing today Links: Carl's hall of fame speech - https://youtu.be/IQJHH2f9EnI Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort 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/
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • #405 - Christopher Zook - Founder of CAZ Investments - Building An $11B Alternative Investment Platform

    #405 - Christopher Zook - Founder of CAZ Investments - Building An $11B Alternative Investment Platform
    Mar 10 2026
    Today I sit down with Christopher Zook to explore how he built and scaled CAZ Investments into an $11B alternative investment platform. Christopher shares the early vision behind launching his firm at age 31 and the philosophy of investing his own capital first before inviting others to participate alongside him. We discuss how a chance confrontation in a country club locker room ultimately forced him to rethink capital formation and marketing, transforming the trajectory of the business. Christopher also breaks down the strategy behind GP stakes, the evolution of private markets, and why alignment with partners sits at the center of everything he does. We discuss: • How Christopher built an investment firm around the principle of investing his own capital first alongside partners • The locker room moment that forced a shift toward proactive capital formation and communication with investors • Designing an irresistible offer by eliminating management fees and aligning incentives entirely with investor outcomes • How GP stakes investing works and why it has become one of the most powerful business models in private markets • Why themes like media rights, private markets expansion, and access to alternatives are shaping the future of investing Support our Sponsors Ramp: https://ramp.com/powers Collateral Partners: https://collateral.com/fort Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:53) - The origins of CAZ Investments(00:12:42) - Creating the irresistible offer(00:17:38) - Partnering with Tony Robbins(00:36:54) - GP stakes explained(00:41:48) - Secondary market edge(00:44:58) - How GP stakes are underwritten(00:49:48) - Tech and venture carry risk(00:53:12) - Consolidation trends(00:56:31) - Big checks and liquidity rights(01:02:18) - Thematic funds and investor access(01:07:04) - Alignment rules and guardrails(01:11:03) - Sports team investing thesis(01:15:54) - Media rights and league economics(01:26:11) - Democratizing alternatives Links: CAZ Investments - https://cazinvestments.com/ Christopher on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-zook 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/
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    1 hr and 32 mins
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Chris is great at asking his guests questions that the listener is thinking to ask.

His approach allows himself and guests to share their story and experience in business where the story tellers and listeners benefit.

Great podcast - especially for DFW residents

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