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The Ground Game Podcast

The Ground Game Podcast

By: Justin Piche and Clay Hepler
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Summary

Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast, where land investing meets real talk! Join your hosts, Justin and Clay, both 7-figure land investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, as they dive deep into the world of land investing, team building, and personal growth.

© 2026 The Ground Game Podcast
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 73: You're Not Losing Deals. You're Losing Ground.
    May 13 2026

    🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️

    In this episode, hosts Clay and Justin get real about the challenges of scaling a land investing business in today’s tough market. With lead flow tighter than ever and cold calling results dwindling, they share their personal experiences and insights on navigating the chaos.

    Key Highlights:

    • Personal Updates & Life Juggling: Clay and Justin kick things off with some light-hearted banter about their busy lives, including family milestones and the stress of balancing work and personal commitments.
    • The Power of Reflection: Clay discusses the importance of taking time to reflect and recharge, sharing how a simple lunch break on his patio sparked creativity and clarity in his leadership.
    • Team Empowerment: After a recent COO transition, Clay emphasizes the need to empower team members to solve problems independently. He shares insights from his one-on-one meetings with his team, revealing key constraints and frustrations that need addressing.
    • Lead Flow Challenges: The duo dives into the current struggles with lead generation, discussing how the landscape has changed and the need for operators to adapt their marketing strategies. They highlight the importance of continuous improvement and being proactive in a competitive environment.
    • Lessons Learned: Clay reflects on the mistakes made in leadership and the importance of creating a culture where team members feel empowered to take ownership of their roles. He stresses that the key to overcoming challenges lies in trusting and supporting your team.

    Join Clay and Justin for an honest conversation about the realities of land investing, filled with actionable insights and strategies to help you navigate the ups and downs of this dynamic market!


    Abacus.AI

    Stride

    Land Insights

    Smarter contact

    Terra data consulting

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    Learn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching

    Apply for private coaching with clay



    The Ground Game Podcast

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    Justin's Socials:

    • X/Twitter
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    36 mins
  • Episode 72: The Land Business Isn't All Rainbows and Butterflies
    Apr 23 2026

    🎙️ Welcome Back to The Crown Cave Podcast! 🎙️

    In this episode, hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche tackle the complexities of scaling a land investing business amidst a flurry of opportunities and challenges. As they navigate the ups and downs of their recent experiences, they share valuable insights on managing chaos, dealing with title issues, and the importance of strategic decision-making in a competitive market.

    Key Highlights

    Personal Updates & Current Challenges: Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, sharing personal updates, including Clayton's recent influx of deals and the accompanying stress of managing a growing organization.

    Title Issues & Lessons Learned: The hosts delve into the common pitfalls of land transactions, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by title companies and the importance of thorough due diligence. They recount their experiences with deed errors and the frustrations that arise from relying on national title companies.

    Managing Team Dynamics: Clayton discusses the impact of rapid growth on team morale and the importance of stepping in as a leader during chaotic times. He emphasizes the need for clear communication and support to help the team navigate through challenges.

    Funding Strategies & Cash Flow Management: The conversation shifts to the delicate balance between leveraging debt and equity for funding larger deals. Clayton and Justin explore the implications of cash flow management and the necessity of building a sustainable financial structure as they scale their operations.

    Framework for Future Success: The episode wraps up with a discussion on the importance of creating a robust framework to prevent recurring issues. Clayton shares his insights on using past challenges as learning experiences to improve operational efficiency and ensure long-term success in the land investing business.

    Join Clayton and Justin as they provide a candid look at the realities of land investing, offering actionable insights and strategies to help you thrive in this dynamic market!

    Abacus.AI

    Stride

    Land Insights

    Smarter contact

    Terra data consulting

    SolidSkip

    Learn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching

    Apply for private coaching with clay



    The Ground Game Podcast

    • Website
    • Youtube
    • Facebook
    • TikTok

    Justin's Socials:

    • X/Twitter
    • YouTube
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Episode 71: JV Partnerships, Owner Financing, and More Ways to Put Money in Your Pocket
    Apr 1 2026

    🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️

    In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive deep into the world of creative deal structuring for land investors. As the market grows more competitive and margins tighten, having more tools in your deal-making toolkit is essential. Clay and Justin break down strategies like double closing, seller financing, novation agreements, and joint ventures—explaining not just how they work, but when and why to use them.

    Key Highlights

    Personal Updates & Market Optimism:
    Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter and personal updates, sharing their excitement about new opportunities in the land space and the importance of staying optimistic in a shifting market.

    AI & Automation in Land Investing:
    Justin shares how AI-driven automations are saving his team hours each week, freeing them up to focus on high-value sales conversations and relationship building.

    Creative Deal Structures Explained:
    The hosts break down the nuts and bolts of double closing, seller financing, novation agreements, and JV partnerships. They discuss real-world examples, the challenges of pitching creative terms to sellers, and how these strategies can turn more “no’s” into “yes’s.”

    Training Your Team for Success:
    Clay and Justin emphasize the importance of equipping your team with the right playbooks and training to recognize and execute on creative deal opportunities.

    Mindset & Execution:
    The episode wraps up with a candid discussion about the mindset required to succeed with creative deal structuring. The hosts set realistic expectations and encourage listeners to treat these strategies as essential tools for long-term business growth.

    Abacus.AI

    Stride

    Land Insights

    Smarter contact

    Terra data consulting

    SolidSkip

    Learn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching

    Apply for private coaching with clay



    The Ground Game Podcast

    • Website
    • Youtube
    • Facebook
    • TikTok

    Justin's Socials:

    • X/Twitter
    • YouTube
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
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