The Pitch and The Catch

What do the battlefield, the boardroom, and the coaching room have in common? In this episode of The Pitch & The Catch, Dirk Horn sits down with retired U.S. Army officer and leadership expert Dr. Traci Eisenberg-Rayburn to explore what truly separates great leaders from good managers. They discuss why so many high performers struggle after being promoted, how leaders unintentionally become the bottleneck, and why asking better questions creates stronger teams than giving better answers. In this episode: Why great individual contributors often become ineffective leaders How to stop being the bottleneck in your organization The power of thought-provoking questions Why trust outperforms micromanagement Leadership lessons forged under pressure that apply to every business How to build leaders who can succeed without you Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or developing future leaders, this conversation offers practical insights on building trust, ownership, and leadership that scales. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partner... Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinni... Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk:   / dirkhorn   Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchand...

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Andrew Dunn, Energy Solutions Director at FENECON USA, to explore how energy systems, leadership, and policy intersect as the world moves toward cleaner and more resilient power.  Andrew offers a grounded perspective on the energy transition, cutting through hype to explain how technology, regulation, infrastructure, and societal behavior must align for real progress to happen. The conversation highlights why long-term thinking and system responsibility matter more than ever in energy innovation.  Key takeaways include:  What the energy transition really means beyond renewables, including policy, infrastructure, and societal change  Where public perception diverges from the technical realities of modern energy systems  Why leadership ownership and decision-making are critical in complex, long-cycle projects  How cultural differences between Germany and the U.S. shape energy mindsets and adoption  The rise of modular systems, microgrids, and decentralized energy solutions  Why timing, reverse engineering, and system-level thinking determine success or failure  How information gaps slow infrastructure development and distort public debate  Where AI, market dynamics, and long-term planning could reshape future energy systems  This episode is for leaders, engineers, policymakers, and innovators working in energy, infrastructure, and sustainability. Listen to gain a clearer understanding of how resilient energy systems are built, why leadership decisions matter long after the headlines fade, and how today’s choices shape the power systems future generations will inherit.  Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partner... Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinni... Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk:   / dirkhorn   Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchand...

If you are stepping into a bigger role, leading through change, or wondering what truly defines leadership beyond strategy and numbers, this conversation is for you.  In this episode of The Pitch & The Catch, Dirk Horn sits down with Andy Zaske, Vice President of the Americas at BW Water, to unpack what leadership looks like when there is no playbook, no pause button, and no margin for comfort.  Andy stepped into his role during a period of operational pressure, organizational change, and high expectations. Within his first year, he navigated team turnover, rebuilt confidence, opened new markets, and doubled the business, all while keeping day-to-day operations running. He describes the experience as “changing the tires on the car while driving 70 miles an hour.”  Starting his career as an engineer before moving into sales and eventually full P&L ownership, Andy shares what surprised him most about becoming accountable for the entire business. Not the numbers, but the people. Trust, belief, energy, and culture quickly became as critical as cash flow, execution, and strategy.  This conversation goes deep into:  What shifts when you stop being the expert and start leading through others  How to build trust without micromanagement, especially in remote and hybrid teams  Why culture is not a soft topic, but a business lever  How confidence, transparency, and cadence stabilize a growing organization  What it means to “own the customer” in a global, project-driven business  Why leadership is as much about energy as it is about decisions  From water treatment and industrial projects to people decisions and personal leadership growth, this episode offers a rare, honest look at what it takes to lead when the business is still moving, the pressure is real, and the answers are not obvious.  Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/   Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc   

In this episode, host Dirk Horn sits down with Bhadresh Sutaria, President of AMSOIL INC., to explore how AMSOIL differentiates itself in the highly competitive lubricants industry through innovation, values, and a deep commitment to customer relationships.  The conversation traces AMSOIL’s evolution from pioneering synthetic motor oil in 1972 to becoming a global industrial player, and examines how leadership, culture, and disciplined execution shape long-term performance.  Key takeaways include:  How AMSOIL’s founder, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, embedded discipline, quality, and purpose into the company’s DNA  Why customer experience, digital tools, and personalized service are central to AMSOIL’s competitive edge  How culture, values, and hiring decisions sustain quality in remote and hybrid environments  The role of strategic management systems, including Hoshin Kanri, in driving focus and execution  Where AMSOIL sees future growth across industrial markets, automation, and advanced solutions  This episode is for leaders and operators in manufacturing, industrial services, and B2B markets who want to understand how values-driven leadership, technical excellence, and long-term thinking create durable advantage in a commodity-driven industry.  Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/  Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc 

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Jim VanderGiessen, CEO of Pro Refrigeration, to explore how industrial cooling systems power modern dairy farms, breweries, wineries, and food production facilities where reliability is critical.  Jim shares how customer partnerships, hands-on engineering, and decades of learning shaped Pro Refrigeration into a trusted player across food and beverage manufacturing. They discuss the future of industrial refrigeration, including CO₂ systems, regulatory pressure, and the emerging role of AI in engineering and diagnostics.  Key takeaways include:  Why CO₂ refrigeration is becoming the standard in industrial cooling  How customer collaboration drives innovation in safety-critical environments  What leadership looks like inside engineering-driven manufacturing companies  Where AI adds real value in product development and operations  This episode is for leaders, engineers, and operators in manufacturing and food & beverage looking to understand how technical excellence, long-term thinking, and disciplined leadership create sustainable growth. Listen for practical insights you can apply in complex industrial environments.  Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/ Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc   

Today, Dirk sits down with William Bourdeau, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and California farmer operating at the center of the state’s water and food-security challenges.  William shares how water supply decisions shape the future of farming, why domestic food security is a leadership issue, and how discipline, community, and long-term thinking guide his work across agriculture, policy, and business.  In this episode, they explore:  Why water infrastructure is as much a leadership challenge as a political one  How farming, community stability, and national resilience are deeply connected  The role of discipline and systems thinking in high-risk, long-cycle businesses  Why innovation, from data to irrigation, matters in traditional industries  And why pistachios may be one of the most underrated superfoods  This is a conversation about leadership under constraint, resilience in complex systems, and what it really takes to build something that lasts when short-term thinking dominates the system around you.  Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief  Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance  Stay connected with us here:   Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/  Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc    

In this week’s episode of The Pitch and The Catch Podcast, host Dirk Horn explores the intersection of science, innovation, and leadership with Michael Anthonavage, VP of Innovation at Vitaquest and a biochemist who has spent more than 30 years turning complex ideas into practical breakthroughs. They discuss what real empowerment looks like, why innovation begins with recognizing opportunity, and how to navigate a world overflowing with information.  Michael breaks down biohacking, truth in a shifting landscape, and the art of listening with intent. A conversation about clarity, curiosity, and making smarter decisions in a world that rewards noise.    Key Takeaways:  Leadership is about empowering others to take on leadership roles themselves, fostering a culture of growth and development.  Recognizing opportunities is a fundamental aspect of innovation, driving progress and transformation in various fields.  Biohacking is revolutionizing personal health management by allowing individuals to tailor their health strategies based on personal data.  Managing information overload requires a strategic focus, enabling individuals to navigate the vast sea of available data effectively.  Empowerment goes beyond mere permission; it involves creating the right conditions for individuals to succeed and thrive.    New episode every Thursday.     Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief     Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance     Stay connected with us here:   Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/   Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc 

Timing is rarely the issue. Staying the course is.  This week on The Pitch & The Catch, host Dirk Horn spoke with Benoit La Salle, President and CEO of Aya Gold & Silver.  Benoit has spent more than three decades building mining companies across commodity cycles, geopolitical shifts, and moments where decisions had to be made years before results were visible. From academia to West Africa to leading one of the fastest-growing silver companies in Morocco, his career is a case study in long-cycle leadership.  We talked about:  Why perseverance matters more than timing  How leaders make judgment calls when outcomes are years away  Why most value is created before anyone believes the story  How to lead through sustained uncertainty  What separates leaders who endure from those who give up    In a world obsessed with short-term signals, this conversation is a reminder that the most successful decisions are often made quietly, early, against consensus and with long-term vision.   Listen in and join the conversation.  New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partner... Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinni... Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/  Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchand...  

In the first episode of 2026, Dirk sits down with Daryn Walters—former President of Exmark Manufacturing and senior leader at The Toro Company—to unpack a three-decade career that spanned entrepreneurship, manufacturing, engineering, large-scale operations, and people-centered leadership. Daryn shares how he helped build Exmark from a small operation into an industry force, what he learned about talent, culture, and execution, and why kindness and clarity became defining pillars of his leadership. The conversation then turns to transition: the often-unspoken shift from running a major organization to rediscovering identity, rhythm, and purpose beyond work. Daryn talks openly about letting go, redefining success, exploring curiosity, and navigating the early stages of “retirement” while still searching for what comes next. It’s an honest, thoughtful look at leadership, reinvention, and the personal journey that begins when the corporate chapter ends. New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/ Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc 

Today Dirk sits down with Brian Fox, a veteran food industry leader who’s helped put millions of meals on people’s tables. Brian shares what 35 years across pasta, pizza, meat, and ingredients have really taught him, from surviving industry fads to leading teams through constant change.  They dive into the truth behind “big food,” why grit beats talent, how to bring people along during transformation, and what it actually takes to grow from sales roles into the CEO seat. Brian also reveals why great leaders are really “Chief Energy Officers” and why the ability to moderate, persevere, and say yes to hard projects can change an entire career.  If you’re interested in leadership, reinvention, or what happens behind the scenes in the food world, this episode delivers real lessons you can use today.  New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief   Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance Stay connected with us here: Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/ Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc