Born Scrappy

Stu Kagan

This is the podcast for scrap metal traders and operators who want to get sharper without losing their scrappy edge.

  1. Attracting Young Talent with Andy Golding

    1 DAY AGO

    Attracting Young Talent with Andy Golding

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, I chat to Andy Golding, Chief Strategy Officer & Partner at Kripke Enterprises and incoming ReMA Chair. This one’s a proper masterclass on attracting young talent, and more importantly, what to do once you’ve got them. Andy shares how the industry needs to rethink some of its oldest habits if we want to stay relevant. From moving away from the “everyone must start in the yard” mindset, to hiring for specialization and actually trusting people to do what they’re good at. We also get into how Kripke has built a brand that people genuinely want to be part of — not just customers, but employees too. Because if you want better people in your business, you need to give them something worth joining. There’s a lot in here for anyone trying to build a stronger team, keep good people, and future-proof their operation. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Moving beyond old-school hiring 👉 Marketing as a talent magnet 👉 What attracts young talent 👉 Coaching over managing 👉 Letting people fail safely 👉 Building real culture 👉 And much more! If you’re trying to build a team, attract better people, or figure out what the next generation actually wants… This is a must-listen. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal. Built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    47 min
  2. Trade, Tariffs and the Current Climate with Erin McCoy, Dave Bestwick & Josephita Harry

    1 APR

    Trade, Tariffs and the Current Climate with Erin McCoy, Dave Bestwick & Josephita Harry

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I host a live panel discussion diving deep into one of the biggest forces shaping the scrap industry right now: Tariffs, trade policy, and global market dynamics. Joined by industry experts, the panel unpacks what’s actually happening beneath the headlines, covering recent tariff changes, shifting trade flows, and the real-world impact on recyclers, traders, and operators. From 10% global tariffs to 50% steel and aluminum duties, and everything in between, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what really matters for scrappies on the ground. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 What happens when rules change overnight 👉 Why compliance is getting heavier 👉 Freight, conflict, and rising costs 👉 How traders are managing risk 👉 Who tariffs are really helping 👉 What’s coming next 👉 And much more! If you’re buying, selling, or moving metal across borders, this is a must-listen to understand the current climate and what might be coming next. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    46 min
  3. How Pricing Really Works with Amy Hinton

    25 MAR

    How Pricing Really Works with Amy Hinton

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Amy Hinton, North American Scrap Editor at Fastmarkets. We break down one of the most misunderstood parts of our industry. How prices actually work. If you’ve ever questioned where scrap prices come from, how they’re formed, or whether the market is being “played”… this is the episode for you. Amy pulls back the curtain on how price reporting agencies operate. From sourcing real transaction data to filtering out noise, bias, and market positioning. We dig into the mechanics behind pricing, but more importantly, what you as a scrappy should actually be paying attention to. We also get into what really moves the market. From geopolitics and currency to supply and demand fundamentals and the often-overlooked role of psychology and sentiment. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Market psychology vs fundamentals 👉 Transactions vs bids vs offers 👉 TBD deals and index pricing 👉 What actually moves prices 👉 How pricing agencies work 👉 The hierarchy of data 👉 And much more! This is a masterclass in understanding the forces behind the numbers, so you can make better decisions on the ground. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    46 min
  4. Fire Safety with Ryan Fogelman

    18 MAR

    Fire Safety with Ryan Fogelman

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode I chat to Ryan Fogelman, Fire Protection Consultant at Fire Rover, about one of the biggest risks facing scrap yards today. Fires. Ryan has spent the last decade helping recyclers protect their facilities from devastating fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and other hidden hazards in the recycling stream. What was once an occasional problem has rapidly become a global issue affecting yards of every size. We break down why fires are becoming more common, what operators can realistically do to reduce the risk, and how early detection and preparedness can make the difference between a small incident and a catastrophic loss. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Layered fire protection 👉 Why fires are increasing 👉 Contamination in the feed 👉 Early detection and response 👉 Hidden batteries in electronics 👉 Pile management and yard setup 👉 And much more! If you care about protecting your people, your yard, and your business, this episode will give you practical ways to think about prevention, detection, and response. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    46 min
  5. Repurposing the Narrative with John Sacco

    11 MAR

    Repurposing the Narrative with John Sacco

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode I chat with John Sacco, former President of Sierra International and former Chairman of ReMA. John has been one of the most influential voices in the recycling industry for decades, helping shape both the culture of Sierra and the broader narrative of our industry. After recently transitioning out of the business he helped build, John reflects on what comes next and why he’s still deeply committed to pushing the recycling industry forward. From brand building to industry storytelling, this conversation is a masterclass on how recyclers can reshape the way the world sees what we do. John shares the story behind building one of the most recognizable brands in the industry and explains why changing the narrative around recycling is more important than ever. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Tell your story with your phone 👉 Changing recycling’s narrative 👉 Social media winners & losers 👉 Community initiatives matter 👉 Consistency over perfection 👉 Your yard is content 👉 And more! If you care about how your company is perceived by customers, your community, and the next generation, this conversation might change how you think about brand in our industry. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    46 min
  6. The Art of Buying Scrap (Into a Yard): Winning Tons with Bob Alvarez

    4 MAR

    The Art of Buying Scrap (Into a Yard): Winning Tons with Bob Alvarez

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Born Scrappy, I sit down with Bob Alvarez, President at Shapiro Metals, for a true masterclass on the art of buying scrap into a yard. Bob didn’t grow up in scrap, but over the past decade he’s helped shape Shapiro into one of the most sophisticated industrial recyclers in the U.S. With over 120 years of legacy behind the company, Bob shares how they’ve evolved beyond commodity buying to become a high-value service partner to manufacturers. We unpack how to win tons without just winning on price… how to identify the right customers… and why curiosity, experimentation, and culture matter more than spreadsheets alone. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Curiosity as a sales tactic 👉 Service over commodity 👉 Protecting your margin 👉 Plan. Do. Check. Act. 👉 “Add value” thinking 👉 Honoring your word 👉 And more! If you buy scrap direct from industry or want to start, this episode is packed with insight you can apply immediately. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    45 min
  7. Demystifying Technology in Scrap with Evan J. Schwartz

    25 FEB

    Demystifying Technology in Scrap with Evan J. Schwartz

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Evan J. Schwartz, Chief Innovation Officer at AMCS Group, to demystify technology and understand its practical application in the scrap metal industry. Evan has spent 35+ years across resource-intensive industries and now sits at the forefront of innovation at AMCS, operating across 80 countries. His job? Spot what’s coming next and help companies adopt it without blowing themselves up in the process. With all the buzz around tech right now, this episode is a masterclass in cutting through the hype. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Turning data into cash 👉 Agentic automation 👉 Data over gut feel 👉 Cloud resilience 👉 Practical AI use 👉 Why ERPs fail 👉 And more! If you’re a scrappy trying to future-proof your business, then don’t miss this one. Because over the next 10 years, the companies that use data to make better decisions will win. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    49 min
  8. Trade Flows & Global Markets with Craig Weber

    18 FEB

    Trade Flows & Global Markets with Craig Weber

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Born Scrappy, I sit down with Craig Weber, Vice President of Global Recycled Scrap at Metal Exchange, for a masterclass on how scrap prices are really set. Craig has spent 30 years at Metal Exchange. He’s lived and worked in Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore, building a global view of spreads, hedging, risk, and market structure that very few in our industry truly understand. We break down what “spot,” “forward,” and “hedge” mean in practice. We talk about how LME and COMEX influence pricing, why volatility has changed forward contracting, and what happens when suppliers don’t understand the risk behind a hedge. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Diversifying your buyers 👉 Understanding spreads 👉 Managing contract risk 👉 Practical hedging 👉 LME vs COMEX 👉 Market volatility 👉 And more! Whether you buy or sell, this episode will sharpen how you think about pricing and risk. Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy. The only marketplace and trade OS built for scrappies, by scrappies. https://www.tradebuddy.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/ WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS? 27 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing… I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation. I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand. I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies. Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Undefeated dance-off champion. COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy

    46 min
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About

This is the podcast for scrap metal traders and operators who want to get sharper without losing their scrappy edge.

Information

  • Creator
    Stu Kagan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Born Scrappy
  • Show Website
    Born Scrappy

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