The Long Game

Josh Sparks
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Long Game is a podcast about building durable companies the right way—by leading with purpose, putting people first, and letting the profits follow. Hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder of Infinity Home Services, each episode explores timeless principles of leadership and growth through conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and industry veterans who are playing the long game.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    Conviction Over Comfort — Adam Bensman

    Adam Bensman has spent more than a decade inside the roofing industry, long enough to see both what works and what quietly breaks trust with homeowners. In this episode of The Long Game, Josh sits down with Adam to talk about the real psychology behind homeowner decisions, why comfort-driven sales tactics often fail long-term, and what it looks like to lead with conviction instead. Adam shares the moments that pushed him to step back, rethink the industry, and ultimately form the Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance to raise standards and protect consumers. They discuss how sales, marketing, and technology can either serve people or manipulate them, why trust is built through clarity and restraint, and how disciplined operators can win without compromising their values. This is a candid conversation about choosing the harder path, doing the right thing when it would be easier not to, and building businesses that last. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and Chairman of Infinity Home Services, a company on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real conversations with leaders who are focused on people first and long-term impact. Subscribe for new episodes and more stories from leaders who are playing the long game.

    47 min

  2. JAN 27

    Clarity Under Pressure — Steve Stagner

    In this episode of The Long Game, Josh Sparks sits down with Steve Stagner, Executive Chairman at Infinity Home Services and former CEO of Mattress Firm, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, growth, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Steve reflects on decades of experience leading companies through multiple growth cycles, economic downturns, and moments of real uncertainty. He shares how leadership must evolve as organizations scale, why clarity becomes more important than optimism in hard seasons, and how culture is built and protected over time. Josh and Steve discuss the shift from founder-led organizations to leader-led systems, the importance of trust and accountability, and why great leaders focus on stewardship rather than short-term wins. They also talk about transparency in difficult moments, learning through mistakes, and creating environments where people can grow and take ownership. This conversation is grounded in practical experience and long-term thinking. It’s about staying steady under pressure, simplifying what matters most, and making decisions today that will still hold up years from now. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and Chairman of Infinity Home Services. Each episode features real conversations with leaders focused on building strong teams, durable cultures, and businesses designed to endure. Subscribe for more episodes and conversations like this one.

    44 min

  3. JAN 13

    Built Together, Built to Last — MJ Sparks

    Josh and MJ Sparks have been building together for more than twenty years. Long before Infinity Home Services became a national roofing company, it began with two people in a small Milwaukee duplex, a yellow pages ad, a newborn on the way, and a shared sense of duty to create something better. In this episode, Josh and MJ talk openly about the early days of Infinity Exteriors, what it was like running every part of the company as a husband and wife team, and the moment that shifted everything when Josh walked away from subcontracting to build a business rooted in integrity. They share the real story of long nights, financial risk, miscommunication, and eventually the discipline and clarity that allowed them to scale a company while raising a family. They also discuss why communication, trust, and aligned purpose matter even more in marriage than they do in business, how stoic principles shaped their parenting, and what it took for MJ to step out of the company after the first private equity partnership. This is a candid conversation about what partnership really looks like when the stakes are high at home and at work. Key themes include:• Working with your spouse and staying aligned through growth• Building a business from nothing with discipline and integrity• The Betty story and the moment Infinity’s mission was born• Culture, transparency, and accountability in the early scaling years• How leadership lessons carried into parenting and family life• Stepping away from the business and finding a new identity• Why duty, clarity, and communication remain the foundation The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services, a company on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real stories from leaders who are playing the long game by putting people first and letting the profits follow. Subscribe for new episodes and more conversations like this one.

    53 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    Rise Through the Hard Things — Nick Zavala

    Nick Zavala did not take a straight line into leadership. Before he became the leader of American Home Contractors, he was a young man searching for purpose, stumbling through adversity, and learning the trades one job at a time. His path is a story of discipline, resilience, and choosing to grow through the challenges rather than running from them. In this episode, Nick sits down with Josh to talk about the journey from production manager to leading a forty million dollar multi-state brand, and the setbacks that shaped him into the leader he is today. Nick opens up about the tough years that forced him to develop character, direction, and a mindset built around service and responsibility. Josh and Nick explore: How adversity becomes the foundation for strong leadershipWhat it takes to scale from a local shop to a multi-state operationLeading through change and keeping culture strong as a company growsThe rise of Tesla Solar and how AHC became a national leaderThe habits and philosophies that keep leaders groundedTactical advice for operators on how to understand their business at every level Nick’s story is a reminder of one of the core Stoic ideas: the obstacle is the way. Strength is built by doing the hard things, showing up for your people, and staying committed to growth even when the path is not clear. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services, a platform built to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real conversations with leaders who build their companies by building their people first. Subscribe for new episodes and more conversations like this one.

    35 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Steady Through the Sonic Boom — Kent Gardner

    Kent Gardner, President of SRS Building Products, has lived every chapter of the roofing industry. From a blue collar upbringing in Sugar Creek, to leading one of the largest distribution networks in North America, Kent’s story is about discipline, responsibility, and staying steady when everything around you speeds up. In this conversation, Kent and Josh talk about the leadership lessons forged in the military, the early days of SRS, the realities of private equity, and why relationships still matter even as technology and AI reshape the industry. Kent also shares why he believes the roofing industry is on the verge of a major surge and what leaders should be preparing for now. Kent’s journey is a reminder that steady, grounded leaders create the conditions for teams to thrive. You show up, you listen, you lift people up, and you stay focused on the long view. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services, a platform on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real stories from industry leaders who are playing the long game by putting people first and letting the profits follow. Subscribe for new episodes and more stories like Kent’s.

    39 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Humble Enough to Grow — John Henderson

    John Henderson didn’t start out in roofing, he started out framing houses and learning the trades from the ground up. But over time, he saw something others didn’t: an opportunity to build a roofing company that stood out for all the right reasons—integrity, simplicity, and people who cared. In this episode, Josh sits down with the founder of Henderson Roofing, based in Westerly, Rhode Island, to talk about the power of humility, why slow growth often creates stronger teams, and how the right partnership can help you grow without losing yourself in the process. “If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone.” — Marcus Aurelius John doesn’t showboat. He leads quietly—with curiosity, conviction, and the willingness to admit what he doesn’t know. And that’s what makes him such a respected leaders at IHS. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services—a platform on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real stories from industry leaders who are playing the long game—by putting people first and letting the profits follow. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and more stories like John’s.

    35 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Quiet Strength, Lasting Impact — Adam Fedale

    Adam Fedale, Brand President of G. Fedale Roofing, has built more than a company, he’s built a culture. In this episode, Adam shares what it takes to grow a family business without losing what made it special: trust, generosity, and steady leadership. From being one of ten kids and hand-nailing shingles on Delaware roofs to leading a multi-location brand with his brothers and father, Adam’s story is one of quiet consistency and deep purpose. Josh and Adam dive into:- How family values shaped a high-performance culture- Why leadership means trusting others to lead- The power of staying grounded in service and integrity- Lessons from 20+ years of growth — and what “winning” really means As Josh reflects in this week’s closing: “Strength doesn’t always have to be loud. It can be steady, patient, and grounded in people. The best leaders aren’t just building companies — they’re building people. And when you build people, the company takes care of itself.” The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services, a roofing company on a mission to save our communities from unscrupulous contractors. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and more stories from leaders who play the long game, by putting people first and letting the profits follow.

    38 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    Lead with Clarity, Build with Purpose — Kris Werner

    Kris Werner built Werner Roofing with a rare combination of clarity, humility, and relentless purpose. In this episode, he shares how focusing on relationships, simplifying decision-making, and doing what’s right, even when it’s hard, have been his compass as a leader. Host Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services, sits down with Kris to talk about family, building a business with intention, and the quiet discipline that defines long-term success. “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it.” — Seneca Kris reminds us that great leadership isn’t flashy. It’s about having a clear mind, a focused plan, and the patience to play the long game. The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services. A platform on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real stories from industry leaders who are playing the long game, by putting people first and letting the profits follow. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and more stories like Kris’s.

    23 min

  9. 10/21/2025

    Scaling With Gratitude and Grit — Jason Couto

    Jason Couto, Founder and President of Couto Construction, is one of the most passionate and grounded leaders you’ll ever meet. In this episode, Jason shares how staying humble, grateful, and focused on people has helped him build a business, and a life, he’s proud of. From growing a family business into a New England powerhouse to staying rooted in community values, Jason shows how clarity of purpose and appreciation for others can become a company’s competitive edge. As Josh reflects in this week’s Stoic-inspired closing: "Gratitude is one of those things you can give away without losing anything. They win, and you win, in more ways than you know." This episode is a reminder that playing the long game isn’t just about strategy, it’s about heart. Key Themes:- Practicing gratitude in leadership- Growing from local roots with family at the core- Humility, discipline, and consistency over time- Creating culture through appreciation- Purpose, trust, and clarity as long-term levers The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder of Infinity Home Services, a platform on a mission to Save Our Communities from Unscrupulous Contractors. Each episode features real stories from industry leaders who are playing the long game, by putting people first and letting the profits follow. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and more stories like Jason’s.

    39 min

  10. 10/07/2025

    Aim Your Fire at What Lasts — Joe LeVecchi

    Joe LeVecchi, Co-Founder of Exterior Medics, brings a level of fire and intensity that’s hard to ignore—and even harder to compete with. In this episode, we dive into how that energy, when channeled through strong systems, great people, and a clear sense of purpose, can build a legacy that endures. From the early days of knocking doors to building one of the most respected brands in the D.C. market, Joe shares candid insights on what it takes to lead with conviction. Alongside his partner Mark Watson, Joe has built more than a business—he’s built a culture rooted in clarity, loyalty, and drive. But passion alone isn’t enough. As Josh reflects in this episode’s Stoic-inspired closing: "Leadership isn’t about losing your fire—it’s about aiming it at things that last." This episode is a powerful reminder that the long game isn’t about chasing urgency—it’s about investing your energy into what truly matters. Key Themes:- Channeling passion into systems, people, and purpose- Building a lasting culture (not just a profitable company)- Stoic reflections on legacy and leadership- The journey from scrappy startup to respected brand- Trust, loyalty, and gratitude as operational values The Long Game is hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder and CEO of Infinity Home Services—a platform on a mission to elevate what it means to be a contractor in North America. Each episode features real stories from industry leaders who are playing the long game—by putting people first and letting the profits follow. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and more stories like Joe’s.

    45 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Long Game is a podcast about building durable companies the right way—by leading with purpose, putting people first, and letting the profits follow. Hosted by Josh Sparks, Founder of Infinity Home Services, each episode explores timeless principles of leadership and growth through conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and industry veterans who are playing the long game.

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Sparks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Infinity Home Services
  • Show Website
    The Long Game