The Pitch and The Catch

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 

In this solo episode of The Pitch & The Catch, Dirk Horn shares the story behind his upcoming book The Winning Balance and why it took more than two decades of transformation work to write it. What started as a sales question became a deeper realization about leadership, customer relationships, and why most change efforts fail even when people care.  This episode explores the tension leaders face today, structure and soul, efficiency and ownership, products and relationships, and why balance has become the real competitive advantage. If these themes resonate with challenges you see in your organization, The Winning Balance will give you the language, clarity, and perspective to act. Get your copy, start the conversation, and bring these ideas into your team.   Pre-order The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/category/all-products  Book website and resources: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance  New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief  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 Dr. Mike Horne, executive coach, OD leader, and author of The People Dividend, for a grounded conversation about what truly drives performance. Mike explains why most issues aren’t “people problems” but system problems, how small actions like simply saying hello can shift culture, and why leaders overcomplicate what should be simple.  They dig into low-energy teams, generational myths, AI’s impact on work, and the transitions leaders face when their old strengths stop working. Mike also shares his own reinvention and why purpose, discipline, and humility matter more than ever in today’s constant turbulence.  If you want to build teams where people and performance thrive, this episode is for you.  Check out more from Mike Horne:  The People Dividend Book: https://www.mike-horne.com/the-people-dividend-book The People Dividend Podcast: https://www.mike-horne.com/podcast   New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/15min-exploration-w-dirk?month=2025-10 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_source=qr 

Today Dirk sits down with Matteo Marano, a molecular biologist turned top-performing sales leader and now strategist who’s spent 20+ years driving impact across biotech, diagnostics, and data-driven healthcare. They explore how Matteo bridged the worlds of hard science and commercial strategy and why storytelling often matters more than data alone. Along the way, Matteo shares insights on career pivots, innovation in pharma, and what we coined as the Marano Principle — finding the sweet spot where preparation meets opportunity. New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/15min-exploration-w-dirk?month=2025-10 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_source=qr 

Dirk sits down with Emir Avdić, CEO of Sebright Products, a 100% employee-owned leader in waste and recycling technology that turns what most companies throw away into new value streams. Emir shares how technical mastery, lean thinking, and true ownership culture drive massive ROI and breakthrough sustainability impact. He also opens up about leadership, vulnerability, and building a company where people grow as fast as the business itself. A powerful conversation on transformation, innovation, and what ownership really means.   New episode every Thursday.   Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/15min-exploration-w-dirk?month=2025-10   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_source=qr 

Today, Dirk sits down with Alejandro Iza to explore what it really takes to build reliable solar power in a world of rising demand and constant change. Together they unpack how stability, data and disciplined leadership are reshaping the energy landscape and why the solar age may already be here without us realizing it.  New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/15min-exploration-w-dirk?month=2025-10 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_source=qr

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Keri-Lynne Shaw, a career strategist and founder of The Salary Bump, to explore how ambition can be redefined around clarity, confidence, and connection. From coaching thousands of professionals to negotiating their worth, Keri-Lynne has seen how success changes when people stop chasing titles and start aligning their work with who they are. New episode every Thursday. Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/15min-exploration-w-dirk?month=2025-10 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_source=qr

Ivo Caixeiro’s career spans from Portugal to New York to Asia; however, his leadership philosophy remains rooted in human connection and adaptability. Today, we explore how he built a global career by staying curious and shaping the future of design-driven retail.   New episodes every Thursday.    Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us!    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_source=qr 

In this episode, Dirk sits down with Jason Wolcott, Chief Commercial Officer at Twin City Foods, to explore the intricacies of thriving in a competitive commodity market. Discover how innovation, data analytics, and strategic leadership can transform businesses beyond mere price competition. Jason shares his insights on building resilient sales teams, the importance of customer relationships, and the future of sustainable food production. Tune in for a conversation that promises to spark insight, courage, and action in your career journey.    New episodes every Thursday.    Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us!    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_source=qr 

Join Vaishali Lara Kathuria, a senior investment manager at Norges Bank Investment Management, as she discusses her career path and the choices that have led to her success. In conversation with Dirk, Vaishali shares insights on how to stand out in the finance industry by focusing on what makes you unique. This episode offers practical advice on career planning and the value of being intentional in your professional journey.    New episodes every Thursday.    Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us!    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_source=qr   

Join Dirk as he uncovers the transformative journey of Christian Demers, revealing the bold decisions and insights that turned startups into global successes. Discover Christian's unique approach to balancing vision with execution and redefining success. This episode offers fresh perspectives on growth and innovation, challenging conventional wisdom with actionable insights.    New episodes every Thursday.    Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us!    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_source=qr 

The Pitch and The Catch: hosted by Dirk Horn. Coming Thursday, October 30th.