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The Principled Entrepreneur

The Principled Entrepreneur

By: Caleb & Jodi Moore
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 The Principled Entrepreneur is where real entrepreneurs share the principles, values, and grit that carried them through the toughest seasons to their greatest successes. Hosted by husband-and-wife team Caleb and Jodi Moore, we uncover authentic, relatable stories that prove you’re not stuck and you’re not alone. Whether you’re in a body shop, behind a desk, or chasing a dream, each episode will fuel your hope, strengthen your grit, and remind you to keep going — no matter what.© 2026 Caleb & Jodi Moore Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Fighting Federal Overreach: The Illinois River Watershed Crisis

    Fighting Federal Overreach: The Illinois River Watershed Crisis
    Mar 3 2026
    When Oklahoma's Attorney General decided to make a name for himself, Arkansas poultry farmers became collateral damage in a legal battle that's been brewing for nearly two decades. Heather Keenan, 2024 Arkansas Realtor of the Year and third-generation poultry farmer, provides an insider's perspective on the devastating Illinois River watershed lawsuit that's threatening to destroy 400 family farms and $6.67 billion in economic activity across northwest Arkansas. This comprehensive deep-dive explores how a 2005 environmental lawsuit against five major poultry integrators—Tyson, Cargill, Peterson Farms, Georges, and Simmons—has evolved into a political weapon under Attorney General Gentner Drummond's aggressive prosecution. Keenan breaks down the complex phosphorus regulations that sparked the original case, detailing how the industry invested millions in conservation efforts, nutrient management plans, and technological advances over the past 20 years to address legitimate environmental concerns. The conversation reveals the shocking December 2024 federal court judgment that prompted Tyson and other integrators to abandon their contracts with generational farmers, leaving families with multi-million-dollar specialized facilities and no income stream. Keenan explains the devastating economics: farms worth $2 million with active contracts become nearly worthless without them, trapping families in impossible debt situations. Beyond the immediate crisis, this case sets a dangerous precedent for private property rights nationwide. The court-appointed "special master" system grants unprecedented government oversight of private land for up to 30 years, essentially creating a new form of regulatory authority that bypasses traditional constitutional protections. Keenan argues this isn't really about environmental protection—it's about judicial overreach and political grandstanding that threatens agricultural freedom across America. Essential listening for anyone concerned about food security, property rights, and the constitutional limits on government power in rural America.
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    55 mins
  • From Food Stamps to Congress: Kevin Hern's American Dream Journey

    From Food Stamps to Congress: Kevin Hern's American Dream Journey
    Feb 16 2026

    Congressman Kevin Hern shares his remarkable journey from poverty in rural Arkansas to becoming a successful McDonald's franchisee and U.S. Representative. Growing up on food stamps with no running water, Hern worked his way through engineering school, survived the Challenger disaster derailing his astronaut dreams, and built a McDonald's empire from scratch.

    He reveals the hard-won principles that drove his success: surrounding yourself with smarter people, embracing failure as a teacher, and never giving up when knocked down. This conversation explores the difference between handouts and hand-ups, why the American Dream is a journey not a destination, and what business leaders don't understand about government.

    A powerful story of grit, faith, and the opportunities that make America unique.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Building a $150M Empire with Other People's Money: Andy McNeil's Private Equity Journey

    Building a $150M Empire with Other People's Money: Andy McNeil's Private Equity Journey
    Feb 4 2026

    Andy McNeil, chairman and former CEO of Denali Water Solutions, shares his remarkable journey from managing a turkey processing plant to building Terra Renewal into a $150 million company and eventually creating what's now nearly a billion-dollar enterprise.

    In this conversation, McNeil breaks down the mechanics of private equity - how entrepreneurs can leverage other people's money to accelerate growth, the risks involved, and the strategic partnerships that made it all possible.

    📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgGSpYhN6s

    🕐 CHAPTERS:

    • 0:00 - Introduction
    • 1:14 - Podcast Intro
    • 1:32 - Welcome & Andy's Resume
    • 3:17 - Owning a Restaurant
    • 4:38 - Atlanta to Arkansas
    • 5:50 - College at Auburn & Notre Dame
    • 8:00 - First Job at Cargill
    • 9:17 - Meeting His Wife
    • 10:26 - Terra Renewal Beginnings
    • 12:04 - Growing to $150M
    • 12:17 - Using Other People's Money
    • 13:01 - Oil & Gas Venture
    • 13:26 - 2009 Oil Collapse
    • 14:38 - How Private Equity Works
    • 17:17 - Starting Denali (2014)
    • 19:22 - Acquisition Strategy
    • 22:45 - Grocery Store Food Waste
    • 26:13 - Other Ventures: LRS & Ramco
    • 28:04 - Denali CEO & Scale
    • 30:08 - Giving Back to Community
    • 31:42 - Sludges & Crawford County
    • 33:02 - Giving Up Control
    • 34:50 - McLarty Capital Partners
    • 36:30 - Choosing Partners
    • 45:51 - Scaling & Leadership
    • 51:24 - Managing Risk & Anxiety
    • 53:06 - Lessons from Employee Theft
    • 56:53 - A Luck Story
    • 1:00:34 - Investment Philosophy
    • 1:01:07 - Future: Grid & Energy
    • 1:07:45 - Policy & Affordability
    • 1:22:32 - Book Recommendations
    • 1:28:04 - Advice for Entrepreneurs
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    1 hr and 32 mins
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