The Smarter Wealthier Podcast
Real money talk for real people in the trades. Hosted by Spencer and his co-host Gabe, this podcast breaks down how blue-collar workers can build wealth, grow careers, and create freedom, without a business degree or trust fund. From tools to taxes, mindset to money moves, we make success in the trades simple, practical, and honest.
Episodes

Monday May 04, 2026
Monday May 04, 2026
Quick update: the podcast is moving from weekly to monthly episodes. This shift allows for more focused topics, consistent length, and more guest conversations, all aimed at delivering stronger, more practical value.

Friday Apr 17, 2026
Friday Apr 17, 2026
In this episode of the Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer Dillinger and Gabe Rogers explain that getting promoted isn’t just about doing your job well, it’s about developing others and shifting from a “me” mindset to a “we” mindset.
They break down how true leaders create value by replacing themselves, avoiding detractor behavior, and becoming multipliers who elevate the performance of everyone around them.

Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
In this episode of The Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer Dillinger and Gabe Rogers break down what it actually means to pursue constant, never-ending improvement, and why it ultimately comes down to personal ownership. Drawing from real-world experience in the trades, sales, and leadership, they explore the difference between knowing and doing, the role of discipline versus curiosity, and how small, consistent actions compound into long-term success. From practical examples like learning refrigeration systems to broader concepts like balancing life’s “wheel” of growth, this conversation challenges listeners to stop outsourcing their development and start taking responsibility for their next move.

Monday Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
In this episode of the Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer and Gabe sit down with 24-year-old entrepreneur Josh Hudepohl, founder of Hudepohl Landscape & Design and Summerside Pools. Starting with just a mower and knocking doors in high school, Josh scaled his business to multi-million-dollar revenue by focusing on consistency, relentless growth, and trusting his instincts.

Friday Mar 27, 2026
Friday Mar 27, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment (WCE), who walked away from a lifelong path in the stunt industry to build a multi-million dollar service business in the trades. Josh shares how he made the transition, what it really took to grow the company, and the mindset shifts that drove their success from hiring the right people to building a culture centered around communication and ownership.

Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with Rich Malachy, owner of Malachy Parts and Service, to break down how he scaled his business from a small team of 8 technicians to a thriving operation with 32.
Rich shares the real story behind that growth, what worked, what didn’t, and the decisions that made the biggest impact. The conversation covers hiring and retaining quality technicians, building systems that actually support growth, and the operational discipline required to scale without losing control.
This episode is focused on practical insights for anyone in the trades or service industry looking to grow a team, increase capacity, and build a more valuable business.

Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
In this 3 minute update we share some exciting updates about what is coming with our podcast in the next few weeks.

Friday Mar 06, 2026
Friday Mar 06, 2026
Most people want to get promoted, make more money, and move up in their career, but very few understand how the process actually works. In this episode, we take a step back and look at promotions from a 30,000-foot view.
We talk about how to view your current job the right way, why the role you have today is actually the training ground for the next level, and how people who rise through a company think differently about their work.
Along the way we discuss concepts like the law of diminishing returns, the reality behind exponential growth in a career, and why most people stall out while a few accelerate. If you’ve ever wondered why some employees keep getting promoted while others stay stuck, this episode lays the foundation for understanding the game.

Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
Not every repair is created equal. Sometimes spending an extra $200 today prevents a $2,000 failure tomorrow. Other times, the right move is the simple fix that gets them running without overselling.
In this episode, we break down how to think like a professional not a parts changer.• When to replace accessory components to prevent callbacks• When a quick fix is actually the smarter play• How to protect the primary component• Why judgment separates average techs from elite ones
If you want to become the tech customers trust and the company relies on, this is required listening.

Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Imposter syndrome is more common in the trades than we talk about, especially as techs grow into leadership roles. In this episode, we break down how self‑doubt shows up in the field, why skilled tradespeople experience it, and practical ways to push past it. Built for working techs and aspiring leaders who want confidence to match their capability.


