The Zach and Pat Show

by Zach Fagas, Patrick Doyle

'If I Hate My Ex, I Hate Half My Kids’ — An Honest Talk on Co-Parenting | Dalton Nicholls

Dalton is a realtor at CRS Belt Nichols — and the "bonus dad" to co-host Pat’s two boys. He and the guys cover his path from car sales to real estate, the mentors who shaped him, the realities of the sales grind (lead sources, pre-approvals, listing strategy), and some genuinely wild listing stories. Then the episode turns into its best self: an honest, moving conversation about co-parenting after divorce — how Pat and Dalton put their egos aside, backed each other up, and built a blended family the kids actually thrive in. What you’ll take away • How to co-parent after divorce without making the kids collateral — "put down your swords." • Why "if I hate my ex, I hate half my kids" reframes the whole thing. • The reality of the real-estate grind: mentors, lead sources, and running a real buyer consult. • A masterclass in ego, humility, and doing what’s best for the children.

E267

Jul 17, 2026

1:30:06

Born Deaf, She Became a Dentist — Dr. Jessica Nieva’s Story

Explicit

Dr. Jessica Nieva was born profoundly deaf and grew up isolated — raised to read lips, not sign, in a Filipino family that pushed medicine. She didn’t hear clearly until a cochlear implant at 30, an experience she calls life-changing. In this episode she and the guys talk about the first sounds she ever heard, running 60+ miles a week to cope with loneliness, building Benton Family Dentistry while raising four daughters in five years, dropping insurance to trade burnout for quality, and why she now takes health and happiness over income. What you’ll take away • How adversity built the toughness behind her success — and why she has empathy to match. • The business case for going out-of-network: fewer patients, higher quality, more happiness. • Why "saying no" and setting boundaries is a superpower for any owner. • Choosing health, family, and presence over maximizing income.

E266

Jul 14, 2026

1:00:18

Your Foundation Guy Is Probably Lying to You — How Not to Get Ripped Off | Stephen Burton

Explicit

Stephen Burton is the owner and educator of Foundation Rescue in St. Louis, with 35 years and $100M in foundation repairs behind him. In this episode he pulls back the curtain on an industry with no licensing test and no standards: why homes really fail (gutters and downspouts, not "your walls falling"), how to avoid getting ripped off, the $175 inspection he’ll do before you spend $30,000, the difference between clients and customers, and the faith and integrity that turned him from "part of the problem" into an advocate. Equal parts homeowner survival guide and a lesson in doing business the right way. What you’ll take away • The real cause of most foundation problems — and the two things every homeowner should do today. • How to tell a good foundation contractor from a predatory one (licensing, insurance, the 3-day rescission). • Why "fixing the crack" without fixing the cause guarantees a new crack. • Clients vs. customers — and why treating people as clients wins long-term. • Owning your mistakes: how he went from "the problem" to reforming the industry. Pull-quotes • "Your walls do not fall. That’s the scare tactic." • "Clients buy information. Customers buy products." • "If you don’t know who the idiot is at the poker table, it’s you." • "He was a slow learner, but he figured it out." (his tombstone)

E265

Jul 10, 2026

1:27:37

A Truck Exploded Feet From Him — A Fire Chief on Leadership, Culture & Faith | Aaron Burlingame

Explicit

In 2018, a truck exploded just feet from firefighter Aaron Burlingame. He came back. This one’s about leadership, culture, faith, and what the worst days teach you about what actually matters. Aaron Burlingame — Battalion Chief with the St. Charles Fire Department — sits down with Zach & Pat on leading vs. bossing, building a culture people choose over higher pay, first-responder mental health, raising sons who own their mistakes, surviving serious burns, and the faith he found on the other side. Real conversation, no clickbait. ▶ CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Aaron Burlingame — St. Charles Fire 01:00 Why a fire chief fell for jiu-jitsu 06:00 The real lesson: consistency & doing hard things 11:30 Leadership isn’t being in charge — it’s responsibility 15:00 How "Discipline Equals Freedom" changed his leadership 17:00 What the worst days teach you about what matters 18:00 How the fire service finally took mental health seriously 23:00 The culture that put St. Charles on the map 31:30 The cell-phone box: rebuilding conversation 34:45 The Dungeons & Dragons leadership lesson 39:30 A leadership mistake he still learns from 46:00 Watching his son enter the fire service 51:20 The day a truck exploded feet away 57:00 Faith, "box receipts," and finding the good 1:01:00 Muddy River FOOLS & the brotherhood 1:05:00 One thing you can do tomorrow: fill your cup 1:07:00 The Tombstone Game ▶ Help us hit 1,000 subscribers before the end of 2026 — SUBSCRIBE! ▶ FOLLOW US ON IG Zach: https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ Pat: https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ Murph: https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ ▶ OUR PARTNERS CPTN Beard Co — use code ZACHANDPAT for 10% off your order The Normal Brand — https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu ▶ ABOUT THE SHOW The Zach & Pat Show — honest conversations about manhood, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and a positive mental attitude. Hosted by Zach Fagas & Pat Doyle.

E264

Jul 7, 2026

1:08:31

DEREK HEIDORN: FRENCHTOWN TATTOO COMPANY, TATTOO JESUS, TAC TEAM BJJ, FATHERHOOD, TATTOO CULTURE

Explicit

Today we are excited to sit down with our first ever tattoo artist AND shop owner with Derek Heidorn! Part of TAC Team through Revive BJJ, Derek has long had a spirit that sought out fulfillment through defiance. He saw the molds the world tried told him to fit in and this led him to forming his own path starting first in contracting work and then transitioning through his creative spirit towards tattooing - his first piece ever done on his own leg! Now running his own shop, raising a family, and continuing to level up in BJJ, Derek's story is great for anyone who feels like breaking the mold just like he did. Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 1000 subs and we need all the support we can get! 0:00 introducing Derek (Tattoo Jesus) 4:15 starting bjj 19:30 getting into tattooing 36:55 road to licensing/fatherhood 1:08:05 opening shop 1:30:55 promotion for event in October 1:32:40 TSG Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders! Check out Normal Brand:https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu

E263

Jul 4, 2026

1:35:18

NICKY ROBERTSON: FRESH MARKETS, SERVICE INDUSTRY, NOVELTY CHOCOLATES, RURAL LIVING, WHAT WOMEN WANT

Explicit

Today we are pleased to bring our new friend Nicky Robertson and all the chuckles that come with it! New to the Adventure Unknown family, Nicky sits down with us to discuss her experience in the service industry, how she parlayed that into an ever evolving career currently now with Fresh Markets STL - a group focused on bringing clean eating options to large scale management operations. A lot of enthusiasm and tons of life experience, Nicky also lets us in on her thirst for adventure and reminds us that life is one meant to be lived - not on the sidelines. Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 1000 subs and we need all the support we can get! 0:00 introducing Nicky/intro into business, service 25:30 service industry post covid 38:25 leaving NW Mutual, transition to Fresh Market 48:10 adventure seeking 53:15 avoidance vs growth 1:00:00 what do women want 1:06:15 TSG Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders! Check out Normal Brand:https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu

E262

Jul 1, 2026

1:09:32

RACHEL HINZ: CREATIVITY, ARTISTRY, STL COMMUNITY, RAISING YOUNG MEN, IMPORTANCE OF ATHLETICS, FAITH

Explicit

Today we are excited to be joined by the very woman who has painted most (not the mural behind us though) of the art that hangs in our studio - the one and only Rachel Hinz! Rachel is a transplant from Michigan who has spent the last eight years making St. Louis her home and contributing to the artistry that our community is widely recognized for. She does all this while maintaining a career and being the woman of the house for her husband and three kids. Whether you're an artist or convinced that you don't have such skills, this is a great listen for anyone who wants a big dose of positivity and a push to find their creative spirit! Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 1000 subs and we need all the support we can get! 0:00 introducing Rachel 11:10 creativity 27:35 abstract art connecting to personal emotions 35:10 other creative outlets 48:45 athletic pursuits 59:30 raising boys as a woman 1:19:35 TSG Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders! Check out Normal Brand:https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu INTRO: HYPERSPACE - BLUE STEEL

E261

Jun 26, 2026

1:21:11

UFC FREEDOM 250, MURPH CALLS IN, HITTING 500 SUB GOAL, SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX, PROBLEM TENANTS, TRAVEL

Explicit

Today Zach and Pat catch up with a quick cameo from Murph as we break down our recent travels, the reality of maintaining ones own rental properties, the awesome UFC Freedom 250 card, and of course we give a big thank you to all those who tuned in, left a comment, or shared the show as we recently broke our 500 subscriber goal this week! We appreciate you for being our audience and promise to continue to improve and bring you the best show possible for as long as we can! Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 1000 subs and we need all the support we can get! Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders! Check out Normal Brand:https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu

E260

Jun 20, 2026

53:29

JEN BARDOT: INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR, GRIT, COMMUNITY, AI AND ROBOTICS, HOW TO SELF PUBLISH

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Today we are excited to bring Jen Bardot to our table to talk about her endeavors in building communities, publishing international best sellers, and what it's like being an entrepreneur raising three young men! Loads of experience going back to her days working for Enterprise Bank, Jen has taken her skills from the days of getting folks approved for loans to fund their dreams to writing multiple books and using that ethos to invest into her own community focused on GRIT. One thing about St. Louis folks - they're gritty and Jen's mission to help thousands of people get in touch with that is EXACTLY what this show is all about. Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 500 subs and we need all the support we can get! 0:00 introducing Jen 5:40 cold calling, networking 8:05 branding and identity 10:00 publishing process 14:10 motherhood as an entrepreneur 19:10 proving yourself right/others wrong 25:20 entrepreneurship and generosity/selfishness 31:05 inspirations 39:45 college class accreditation 48:55 message for kids 56:40 TSG Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders!

E259

Jun 17, 2026

57:58

NICK MATAYA: CXBJJ, ADCC, SIMPLE MAN BJJ, NICKY ROD, FATHERHOOD, NEW GRAPPLER ADVICE, DIET/NUTRITION

Explicit

Today we are so excited to bring you one of the top 185 lb bjj competitors in the world (18th to be precise) Nick Mataya fresh off his win at CXBJJ here in St. Louis only a couple weeks back. Having wrestled most of his youth, Nick felt the gap that was left from the sport while he was studying to become a physical therapist at Mizzou. Now only six years after getting into the sport - Nick has made quite a name for himself having competed at ADCC and earned every bit of the accolades attached to his name. A great guy with a lot to share not only in jiu jitsu but also when it comes to being a husband, father, and health professional - we're so grateful for this episode and hope to see him again! Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! We are on our way to 500 subs and we need all the support we can get! 0:00 introducing Nick 6:45 bjj origins 11:50 gi vs nogi 18:00 diet/nutrition 23:55 Simple Man 31:55 advice for new/aspiring grapplers 41:55 goals moving forward 48:10 fatherhood 56:05 how bjj has changed in Nick’s time 1:14:30 mental process before matches 1:26:30 TSG Follow us on IG! https://www.instagram.com/zach_fagas/ https://www.instagram.com/stl_mortgagenerd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedaily_murph/ Use Code ZACHANDPAT for 10% CPTN Beard Co Orders! Check out Normal Brand:https://sldr.page.link/ZCYFu

E258

Jun 12, 2026

1:28:20

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