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. Growing Through Adversity with Michael Lion

    9H AGO

    Growing Through Adversity with Michael Lion

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Michael Lion, Former Owner of Philipp & Lion and Former Consultant & Chairman at Sims Metal Management, for a masterclass in what really happens when it all goes wrong and what you can learn from it. Michael's career is one of the industry's most extraordinary stories. He entered the business at 17, built Philipp & Lion into one of the world's largest non-ferrous scrap traders, pioneered copper trade routes into China in the late 1970s, and operated at a scale most traders only read about. Then in April 1991, it all came crashing down. What followed was years of rebuilding and the lessons he brought into an 18-year career at Sims Metal Management, where the controls he put in place got every penny back through the global financial crisis. This isn't theory. These are lessons bought at enormous personal cost, shared with the kind of honesty that only comes from someone with nothing left to prove. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 The worst week of Michael's life 👉 Keeping your eye on the ball 👉 Ego: A trader's worst enemy 👉 Friendship vs being friendly 👉 Nobody's too big to fail 👉 Recognising your risks 👉 And more! Whether you're just starting out or decades into the game, this episode will change how you think about risk, trust, and what it means to stay sharp when everything is going your way. 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? 28 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
  2. Earning the Right to Lead with Jonathan & Alex Ross

    APR 22

    Earning the Right to Lead with Jonathan & Alex Ross

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Jonathan Ross from John Ross & Sons Ltd., and his son Alex Ross, VP of Ops and Sales. Recorded live at ReMA 2026, this is a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to bring the next generation through a fifth-generation family business the right way. Jonathan has spent decades building one of Canada's largest and most respected metal recycling operations. A company now in its fifth generation, which puts it in rare company. Alex came up through the yards at 12 years old, studied accounting and finance at McGill University, and is now stepping into leadership having earned it from the ground up. Together they represent one of the most compelling succession stories in the industry. This episode goes beyond the feel-good family narrative. It's an honest look at the dynamics of working alongside your father, the philosophy behind earning respect before authority, and what the next generation is already bringing to the table that the previous generation didn't see coming. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Starting from the ground up 👉 Balancing speed with patience 👉 Earning respect before authority 👉 Running a family business together 👉 What the next gen brings to the table 👉 And more! Whether you're thinking about bringing your own kids into the business, or you're the one being brought in, this episode is full of honest, practical wisdom from people who are living it. 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

    43 min
  3. Persistence, Partnerships, and the Future of Scrap with Lenny Formato

    APR 15

    Persistence, Partnerships, and the Future of Scrap with Lenny Formato

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, I chat to Lenny Formato, Co-founder of Empire Metal Trading. A third-generation recycler out of New York, Lenny has lived and breathed this industry from a young age. From riding trucks as a kid to building a business that’s still evolving today. We cover everything from persistence and patience in deal-making to the power of going “all in” when it really counts. Lenny shares stories that only come from decades in the game, including the deals that took years to land, lessons from starting again in his mid-40s, and why backing yourself matters more than ever. We also get into the importance of collaboration across the industry, staying involved in trade associations, and how relationships, not just transactions, are what keep this business moving forward. This one’s full of real, hard-earned insights for operators who are in it for the long game. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Building partnerships that last 👉 Going all in on big decisions 👉 Showing up consistently 👉 Playing the long game 👉 The future of scrap 👉 Gut feel vs tech 👉 And much more! 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

    44 min
  4. Attracting Young Talent with Andy Golding

    APR 8

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

    APR 1

    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
  6. How Pricing Really Works with Amy Hinton

    MAR 25

    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
  7. Fire Safety with Ryan Fogelman

    MAR 18

    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
  8. Repurposing the Narrative with John Sacco

    MAR 11

    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
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Born Scrappy
  • Show Website
    Born Scrappy

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