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Lay of The Land

Lay of The Land

Di: Jeffrey Stern
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Telling the stories of entrepreneurship and builders in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Every Thursday, Jeffrey Stern helps map the Cleveland/NEO business ecosystem by talking to founders, investors, and community builders to learn what makes Cleveland/NEO special.© 2024 Lay of The Land Economia Gestione e leadership Leadership
Episodi
  • #266 Len Pagon — Robots & Pencils

    #266 Len Pagon — Robots & Pencils
    Oct 22 2026
    Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Len Pagon, CEO of Robots & Pencils.Len has spent his career building and investing in technology businesses. He founded Brulant in his early 20s, grew it through multiple waves of technological change, later merged it with Rosetta, and then spent the next chapter investing through his family office, Next Sparc. Nearly two decades after leaving the CEO seat, Len found himself back in it at Robots & Pencils to take full advantage of the opportunity AI presents.In our conversation, we explore that return to founder mode, why he needed to wait for something sufficiently compelling to get him to make that leap, rebuilding Robots & Pencils as an AI-first company, why speed and constraints can fundamentally change how people work, and how AI is reshaping consulting, knowledge work, and organizational learning. We also talk about leadership the second time around, earned wisdom, and the renewed sense of purpose Len has found in building alongside a team again.Please enjoy this insightful conversation with Len Pagon.00:00 Introduction to Len Pagan and Robots and Pencils00:15 Introduction and overview of business growth04:01 Why Len returned to CEO role amid AI opportunities04:02 The competitive landscape against GSIs09:59 The significance of constraints in AI project success10:01 Speed of transformation and team rebuilding14:48 Leveraging past experience in new AI wave20:04 Rapid prototyping and AI zero milestones20:18 Partnerships with AWS and other tech giants25:04 The role of domain expertise in AI-driven business30:05 Building AI proficiency across organizations30:06 The impact of rapid decision-making and leadership34:59 Unlearning old mental models for new AI realities40:01 The strategic importance of being AI first40:19 The importance of continuous learning and adaptation44:56 The potential risks and ethical considerations of AI49:57 The future of AI in organizational transformation50:23 Future outlook and preparing for market corrections55:01 Final thoughts on innovation and leadership59:54 Lessons learned from AI project execution01:09:57 The cultural shift towards AI adoption01:19:53 Len's vision for Robots and Pencils in AI era-----LINKS:https://robotsandpencils.com/robots-and-pencils-new-ceo-leonard-pagon/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenpagon/-----SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28faConnect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/
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    1 ora e 25 min
  • #265 Daniel Asbury & Ben Goehner — Western Dominion

    #265 Daniel Asbury & Ben Goehner — Western Dominion
    Oct 15 2026
    Daniel Asbury and Ben Goehner are co-founders of Western Dominion Land Company, a vertically integrated housing platform combining land acquisition, large-scale community development, and structural panel manufacturing all under one roof.In our conversation, we explore why the collapse of smaller and midsize homebuilders after 2008 left entire communities without meaningful new housing supply, and why Daniel and Ben believe the next generation of housing companies will need to manufacture, develop, finance, and deliver homes as an integrated system.We talk about the economics of attainable homeownership, land banks and public-private partnerships, the role of structural panel manufacturing, rebuilding the middle market of American homebuilding, and Western Dominion's ambition to take what they've proven in Mansfield and scale it across Ohio and, ultimately, the country to help rebuild the American Dream of homeownershipDaniel and Ben are refreshingly candid about the state of the housing market, the structural problems they believe are holding it back, and what it will actually take to build at scale, making this one of the more educational and insightful conversations I've had on housing.Please enjoy my conversation with Daniel Asbury and Ben Goehner.00:00 Introduction to Western Dominion and its mission00:14 Introduction to the housing challenge in rural America00:50 Founders' backgrounds and how they met02:51 Ben Goehner's background and approach to land banking03:20 The distinction between affordable and attainable housing04:54 The collapse of small builders and market gaps06:04 Western Dominion's approach to land and construction07:00 The organic growth of their project and national potential08:02 The importance of manufacturing and scale11:05 Addressing land bank and public-private partnerships11:57 Research efforts and university studies on rural markets13:58 Innovations in modular and panelized building methods16:00 Government programs like RED and infrastructure funding16:52 Overcoming development bottlenecks and cost challenges20:02 Scaling solutions nationally and manufacturing in Ohio20:03 Challenges with large home builders and market competition22:48 The future of off-site construction and local manufacturing25:09 The importance of community-focused, attainable housing27:03 Building community and local labor involvement30:00 The impact of Western Dominion's model on housing affordability30:13 Scaling solutions and the role of innovation in construction34:54 The nonprofit element and community impact initiatives40:11 The future vision: national standard panels and modular construction45:02 Collaboration with other builders and industry players50:00 The entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned54:53 The importance of mission-driven business models01:00:07 Closing thoughts and how to get involved-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-r-asbury-jr-3a3b24181/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-goehner/https://www.westerndlc.com/-----SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28faConnect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://...
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    1 ora e 7 min
  • #264 Bernie Kosar

    #264 Bernie Kosar
    Oct 8 2026
    The timing of this conversation feels especially meaningful. Cleveland is moving to recognize October 13 as Bernie Kosar Day — honoring one of the most beloved figures in the city’s history and marking 41 years since his first regular-season start for the Browns.Bernie Kosar has spent his life figuring out a way — from a kid in Youngstown with an improbable dream, to becoming the quarterback of the team he grew up loving, to navigating extraordinary adversity far beyond the football field.Known and beloved as the legendary quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, Bernie’s story extends far beyond football. In this vulnerable conversation, Bernie and I reflect on the experiences that shaped him — the resilience, fear of failure, pain, and relentless belief that somehow, someway, you keep going.We explore his journey through addiction and bankruptcy, business and entrepreneurship, the health challenges that nearly took his life, and the perspective he carries today: deep gratitude for another chance at life, optimism about what lies ahead, and an enduring belief in Ohio and what can still be built here.I’m excited to share this conversation in advance of that recognition, and grateful to Bernie for being willing to reflect so openly on the extraordinary highs, lows, and lessons of his life.Please enjoy this special conversation with Bernie Kosar.00:00 Introduction and Bernie’s background02:07 Bernie’s health journey and recent transplant success04:48 Resilience and persistence in life and football08:49 From childhood dreams to NFL reality13:02 The role of adversity in shaping success16:50 Mental health, masculinity, and vulnerability21:57 Bernie’s connection to Ohio and community pride26:01 Optimism for Ohio’s future and economic growth28:03 Lessons from sports applied to business and life34:02 The impact of setbacks and bankruptcy38:09 Bernie’s perspective on entrepreneurship and wellness43:55 Collective ambition and community confidence46:00 Reflections on playing for the Browns49:56 Bernie’s message to the next generation52:14 Hidden gems of Youngstown and local pride53:50 Closing thoughts and gratitude-----LINKS:https://x.com/BernieKosarQB?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/berniekosarofficial/?hl=en-----SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28faConnect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/
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    56 min
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