The Crooked Stripes Podcast is where contractors talk shop.
Hosted by Brandon Brubacher in Canada and Kyle Breiner in Ohio, the show features real conversations about lawn care, landscaping, snow removal, and what it takes to build a business in the green industry.
From equipment and efficiency to marketing and the day-to-day grind, each episode shares honest insights from the field.
New episodes weekly.
118: The Man Behind Equip Exposition with Kris Kiser
Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), joins us for a big one.
This episode is a pretty cool full-circle moment for us. The Crooked Stripes Podcast started because of our love for this industry and Equip Exposition, and now we get to sit down with one of the people behind the organization that makes it all happen.
We talk with Kris about his journey into the outdoor power equipment industry, what OPEI actually does, and everything that goes on behind the scenes to support manufacturers, dealers, contractors and the industry as a whole.
Of course, we had to dive deep into Equip Exposition. We talk about how the show has grown, what has changed over the years, what makes Equip different, and where the show is headed next. We also get into the upcoming move to Orlando in 2029, what that could mean for the show, and the outdoor demo area that everyone has been asking about.
We also get into some bigger industry conversations around technology, battery equipment, robotics, the relationship between manufacturers and contractors, and where Kris sees the outdoor power equipment industry heading.
Thanks for listening to Episode 118!
Takeaways:
Kris Kiser’s journey into the outdoor power equipment industry
What OPEI actually does
How Equip Exposition has grown
The future of Equip and the move to Orlando in 2029
Outdoor demo areas and the future of the show
Technology, battery equipment and robotics
The relationship between manufacturers and contractors
Where the outdoor power equipment industry is heading
Other Links:
👨🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada (https://www.instagram.com/stripelifecanada/)
🅾️ Breiner Lawn: @breinerlawn (https://www.instagram.com/breinerlawn)
14 Sept 2026
117: The September Grind is On
Kyle is finally back after a busy week in Canada and Montana, so naturally we had to hear all about it.
With September officially here, the season is starting to shift into the final stretch. We talk about the September grind, what we’ve been working on, and why this is such a big time of year for lawns with top dressing, overseeding, aeration and all the fall work starting to pile up.
From there, we get into some bigger industry conversations around where landscaping is heading, the difference between revenue and actually making money, technology and software, bigger companies vs. smaller owner-operators, and some of the changes we’re seeing across the industry.
And of course, Expo is coming up FAST, so we talk about what we’re looking forward to, equipment, manufacturers, and what we’re hoping to see.
A lot of industry talk, a lot of stories, and a whole lot of shooting the shit in this one.
Thanks for listening to Episode 117!
Takeaways:
Kyle’s trip through Canada & MontanaEconomic impact on landscaping businesses
The September grind
Landscaping industry trends
Other Links:👨🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada (https://www.instagram.com/stripelifecanada/)
🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn (https://www.instagram.com/breinerlawn?igsh=bmlzcnZvMTBlamtr)
31 Aug 2026
116: Is Bigger Actually Better? The Future of Landscaping Crews
Host Brandon explores how the landscaping industry adapts to economic shifts, favoring leaner business models and focusing on maintenance for future success.
Who has been a guest on Crooked Stripes Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Clark Williamson
Average Anthony
Cole Martin
Rocky Reynolds
Ken Morris
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
27 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
90
Social presence
97
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
Contact Crooked Stripes Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
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