The Ground Game Podcast
Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast, where land investing meets real talk! Join your hosts, Justin and Clay, both 7-figure land investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, as they dive deep into the world of land investing, team building, and personal growth.
Episode 74: The Future of the Land Business (Honest Conversation)
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive deep into the evolving landscape of land investing, unpacking the realities of scaling, team structure, and the shift from mass marketing to high-quality, targeted deals. After a brief hiatus, they return with candid reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing land investors in today’s market.
Key Highlights:
Personal Updates & Market Malaise: Clay and Justin open up about the “cloud” hanging over the land investing industry, sharing their experiences from masterminds and the tough realit...
Episode 73: You're Not Losing Deals. You're Losing Ground.
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In this episode, hosts Clay and Justin get real about the challenges of scaling a land investing business in today’s tough market. With lead flow tighter than ever and cold calling results dwindling, they share their personal experiences and insights on navigating the chaos.
Key Highlights:
Personal Updates & Life Juggling: Clay and Justin kick things off with some light-hearted banter about their busy lives, including family milestones and the stress of balancing work and personal commitments.The Power of Reflection...Episode 72: The Land Business Isn't All Rainbows and Butterflies
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In this episode, hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche tackle the complexities of scaling a land investing business amidst a flurry of opportunities and challenges. As they navigate the ups and downs of their recent experiences, they share valuable insights on managing chaos, dealing with title issues, and the importance of strategic decision-making in a competitive market.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates & Current Challenges: Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, sharing personal updates, including Clayton's recent influx of deals and...
Episode 71: JV Partnerships, Owner Financing, and More Ways to Put Money in Your Pocket
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive deep into the world of creative deal structuring for land investors. As the market grows more competitive and margins tighten, having more tools in your deal-making toolkit is essential. Clay and Justin break down strategies like double closing, seller financing, novation agreements, and joint ventures—explaining not just how they work, but when and why to use them.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates & Market Optimism:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode...
Episode 70: The future of land investing: funding, ai, how to level up
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In this episode, hosts Clay and Justin dive into the rapidly changing landscape of land investing. They break down the current market dynamics, explore emerging opportunities, and discuss how technology is reshaping the industry. With a focus on actionable insights, this episode is essential for anyone looking to stay competitive in the land game.
Key Highlights
Current Market Overview:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode by analyzing the latest trends in the land market. They discuss the explosion of deal fu...
Episode 69: How do you prioritize the things that move your business forward?
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In this episode, hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piché engage in a lively discussion about the latest developments in their real estate journeys, the importance of project prioritization, and the challenges of balancing work with family life. With a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, they provide listeners with actionable strategies for navigating the complexities of land investing.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clayton and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, sharing updates on their lives. Justin is j...
Episode 68: AI, Hiring & The Future of Lean Land Investing
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In this episode, hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piché engage in a dynamic discussion about the latest trends and challenges in the land investing space. They share personal updates, insights on their current projects, and the evolving role of AI in real estate.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clayton and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about their morning routines and family life. Justin shares his excitement about preparing for the arrival of his fourth child, while Clayton dis...
Episode 67: AI, Job Loss & The $15M Question
Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast
where hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche dive deep into the world of land investing and real estate development. Join us each week as we explore the latest trends, strategies, and insights that can help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of real estate.
In this episode, we tackle pressing topics such as the recent national job losses and their implications for land investors, the impact of AI on the real estate market, and the financial strategies necessary for long-term success. We discuss how much liquid cash you might need...
Episode 66: How to separate yourself from the competition in land Flipping
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In this episode, co-hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche explore the essential strategies for building a competitive moat in the land investing business. Join them as they share their insights on how to differentiate yourself in a saturated market and ensure long-term success.
Key Highlights:
The Four Types of Moats: Clayton and Justin break down the critical components of establishing a moat—data, capital, branding, and operational excellence—and how each can give you a competitive edge.Real-World Case Studies: Hear about Cla...Episode 65: The 3 Stages of a Land CEO: Doer, Decider, Designer
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In this episode, co-hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche tackle the pivotal role of a CEO in the land investing business, focusing on the journey from doer to designer. Join them as they share their insights on how to effectively manage your time, empower your team, and drive your business towards greater success.
Key Highlights:
Episode 64: Scaling a Land Flipping Business Without Burning Out Your Team (or Yourself)
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In this episode of The Ground Game Podcast, co-hosts Justin Piche and Clayton Hepler dive into the fresh start of 2026, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities that come with the new year for land investors. Join them as they share their experiences and strategies for effectively pivoting and planning for success in the months ahead.
Key Highlights:
Post-Holiday Reflections: Justin and Clayton discuss the importance of taking time to recharge during the holiday season and how it impacts their focus as they return to...Episode 63: Annual Planning, Bottlenecks, and Taxes: How Real Land CEOs Think at Year-End
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In this episode of The Ground Game Podcast, co-hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche tackle the unique challenges and opportunities that arise during the busy year-end period for land investors. Join them as they share their experiences and strategies for navigating the complexities of annual planning while managing the ebb and flow of business activity.
Key Highlights:
Year-End Dynamics: Clayton and Justin discuss the paradox of year-end business, where contracts may slow down, but the pressure of annual planning intensifies.Sales Success:<...Episode 62: Day One of Annual Planning: Analyzing Your Constraints & How to Solve Them
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In this episode of the Ground Game Podcast, co-hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piche dive deep into the intricacies of annual planning for real estate businesses. Join them as they share insights from their upcoming strategic offsite, where they will explore the essential steps to diagnose reality and engineer momentum for the year ahead.
Key Highlights:
Feedback and Growth: Clayton opens up about personal feedback on communication styles and the importance of adapting to listener needs.Community and Connection: Justin shares his...Episode 61: The 7 biggest mistakes Land investors mande in 2025
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Join Clay and Justin in this special Thanksgiving episode, where the aroma of turkey and the buzz of family festivities set the stage for a crucial conversation about the biggest blunders land investors are making in 2025. This isn’t just theory; these are real insights drawn from their own experiences, coaching clients, and industry observations.
In this episode, they dive into:
Mistake #1: Marketing Without a Game Plan
Discover why scattershot mailers and blind outreach are falling flat. Learn how strategic market analysis, A/B testing...
Episode 60: What would we do if we were starting a business in 2026
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Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this episode as they dive deep into the real state of the land business as we head into 2026. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, they’re unpacking what it truly means to thrive in today’s competitive market.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Shift in Strategy: Why Clay made the bold move to dismantle his entire dispo department after a thorough analysis of performance across land.com and Facebook.Market Insights: Justin reveals the slow...Episode 59: You’re One Relationship Away From Changing Your Business
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Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché in this episode as they uncover a vital truth in land investing: you’re always just one relationship away from transforming your business.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Power of Relationships: How strategic partnerships can unlock new opportunities and drive growth.Real Success Stories: Insights from the partners and mentors who helped elevate their business to multi-million-dollar deals.Unlocking Bigger Opportunities: The impact of a single development partner on larger projects and vision.B...Espiode 58: Fewer Mistakes = Bigger Profits: The Real Key to Winning in Land
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you! In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:
The Overlooked Truth in Business:
Clay and Justin break down a fundamental yet often overlooked truth in business: you don’t need to do...
Episode 57: The Perfect Land Business: Profit Without Prison (Part 1)
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you! In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:
The Reality of Profit vs. Revenue:
Clay and Justin discuss the common misconception that higher gross profits equate to a healthier business. They empha...
Episode 56: Due diligence For Land flipping
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you! In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:
The Overlooked Profitability of Due Diligence:
Clay and Justin explore one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of land inves...
Episode 55: Adapt or Die: Building the Optimal Land Business in a Changing Market
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you!
In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:
Market Dynamics: Justin discusses the current cooling trends in the market, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a lean operation and low overhe...Episode 54: Land Investing Stories: When Real Deals Get Messy (and Profitable)
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you!
In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:
Episode 53: How to Build Credibility in a Skeptical Market
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché tackle the pressing issues facing land investors today, including the impact of inexperienced investors on the industry’s reputation.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about their experiences at the Land Scaling Summit in Dallas. Clay shares his surprise at not owning cowboy boots despite living in Texas, while Justin reflects on his journey and the importance of personal bran...
Episode 52: Lessons from Year One – Land Deals, Business Growth & Market Moves
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché take you behind the scenes of the Land Scaling Summit in Dallas, where they reflect on their journey over the past year and discuss the evolving landscape of land investing.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, reminiscing about their experiences at the summit. Clay shares his excitement about returning to an event he missed last year, while Justin discusses his role as a speaker a...
Episode 51: Evolve or Die: Adapting to a Shifting Land Market
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into the theme of “Evolve or Die,” discussing the critical shifts happening in the land investing business. They share their excitement about the opportunities in the industry while addressing the challenges many investors face today.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, reflecting on their busy weeks filled with travel and family moments. Clay shares his excitement about visiting the Apki brothers in Ohi...
Episode 50: Gurus, Gimmicks, and the Truth About Building a Real Land Flipping Business
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche engage in a candid conversation about the realities of land investing and the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of flashy gurus. They share personal updates, insights on the challenges of the industry, and the significance of strategic decision-making in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with light-hearted banter about their recent reading adventures. Justin shares his excitement about diving into Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novels, in...
Episode 49: Why Net Profit Is the Only Metric That Matters in Land Flipping
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche engage in a candid conversation about building wealth beyond land flipping. They share personal updates, insights on the challenges of land investing, and the importance of strategic decision-making in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with light-hearted banter about their recent travels. Justin shares his excitement about visiting Seattle and reconnecting with friends, while Clay discusses his upcoming trips and the joys of balancing...
Episode 48: How We’re Building Cashflow Outside our Land Businesses
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche engage in a candid conversation about building wealth beyond land flipping. They share personal updates, insights on the challenges of land investing, and the importance of strategic decision-making in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with light-hearted banter about their recent travels. Justin shares his excitement about visiting Seattle and reconnecting with friends, while Clay discusses his upcoming trips and the joys of balanci...
Episode 47: No Rainbows, No Butterflies: The Realities of Scaling a Land Business
🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
In this episode, hosts Clayton Hepler and Justin Piché engage in a candid conversation about the realities of running a land investing business. They share personal updates, insights on market challenges, and the importance of strategic decision-making in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about their recent experiences. Justin shares his excitement about moving into a new home and his upcoming trip to the Pacific...
Episode 46: The Death Zone; Scaling from $1M to $3M Without Losing Your Mind (or Margin)
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché explore the nuances of time management and the entrepreneurial journey in real estate investing. They share personal insights on balancing responsibilities, the challenges of running a business, and the importance of prioritization.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about how August is flying by. They reflect on their current responsibilities, with Justin sharing his experiences of juggling family life and business demands.
Episode 45: Funding Stacks, Missed Deadlines & Transaction Coordination.
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into the critical yet often overlooked aspect of real estate investing: transaction coordination. They share hard-earned lessons on managing multiple contracts, deadlines, and the importance of clear ownership in decision-making as they navigate the complexities of scaling their land businesses.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, discussing how summer is impacting their business. They reflect on their current deal flow, with Justin sharing ins...
Episode 44: The Death Zone, Scaling from $1M to $3M Without Losing Your Mind
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into what they jokingly (but seriously) call “The Death Zone”—the chaotic and critical phase of scaling a land business from $1M to $3M in annual revenue. They share hard-earned lessons on hiring, systemization, and why scaling headcount too fast can kill your profit.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, reflecting on their recent experiences, including Justin's move into his new home and the challenge...
Episode 43: The 0 to 500K Bottleneck, Why Land Investors Stall… and How to Break Through
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché share their insights from the recent 5280 Mastermind event, focusing on the evolving landscape of land investing and the strategies needed to thrive in a competitive market.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, reflecting on their recent experiences, including Justin's move into his new home and the challenges of unpacking, as well as Clay's excitement over his son taking his first steps during a family reun...
Episode 42: Lessons from 5280 MASTERMIND, KPI Clarity & Scaling With A-Players
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché share their insights from the recent 5280 Mastermind event in Denver, Colorado, focusing on the evolving landscape of land investing and the strategies needed to thrive in a competitive market.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, reflecting on their experiences at the mastermind event. They discuss their recent successes, including securing 14 properties under contract and the excitement of navigating larger developments.
Scaling Cha...
Episode 41: 7 Brutal Roadblocks to Scaling Your Land Business
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into the critical roadblocks to scaling your land investing business.
Clay and Justin discuss the essential strategies needed to navigate the complexities of land investing and share personal stories that highlight the challenges and triumphs of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, including Justin’s fresh haircut and Clay’s thoughts on staying aerodynamic in the business. T...
Episode 40: 5 Predictions for the Land Game in 2025 and Beyond
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into Predictions for the Future of Land Investing.
Clay and Justin discuss the evolving landscape of land investing, sharing insights on how to navigate the complexities of the industry and thrive in a competitive market.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, including Clay’s wedding cake story and Justin’s creative lunch choices. They reflect on the joys and challe...
Episode 39: 6 Hard Questions Every Land Investor Must Answer
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into
Episode 39: 6 Hard Questions Every Land Investor Must Answer.
Clay and Justin discuss the essential questions that every land investor should consider to effectively scale their business and navigate the complexities of the industry.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about their upcoming travels to the 5280 Mastermind in Denver. Clay shares his experience of flying with...
Episode 38: From Submarine Officer to Land CEO, The Justin Piché Story
🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piché dive into
Episode 38: From Submarine Officer to Land CEO, The Justin Piché Story.
Justin shares his incredible journey from serving as a submarine officer in the Navy to becoming a successful CEO in the land investing space, highlighting the lessons learned and the values that guide his business.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, discussing the chaos of summer with...
Episode 37: Profit First, Freedom Second; A Wealth Plan for Land Investors
🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive into Profit First, Freedom Second: A Wealth Plan for Land Investors. They share personal experiences and insights on navigating the complexities of land investing, emphasizing the importance of strategic financial planning and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, discussing the chaos of summer with kids out of school and...
Episode 36: Landmines & KPIs, How to Stay Profitable in a Tough Land Market
🎙️ Welcome Back to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️
In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive into Landmines & KPIs, How to Stay Profitable in a Tough Land Market. They share personal experiences and insights on navigating challenges in the land investing sector, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and resilience.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, sharing their recent adventures, including golf trips and family celebrations. They discuss the joys of spending time with loved ones and the fun dynami...
Episode 35: Deep Dive Listener Q&A: Dispositions, Funding, and Crushing Inertia
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In this episode, hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche dive into a Deep Dive Listener Q&A focused on dispositions, funding, and overcoming inertia in the real estate and land investing sectors. They share personal experiences and insights on navigating challenges, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and resilience.
Key Highlights
Personal Updates:
Clay and Justin kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter, sharing their recent experiences and the fun dynamics of their group chat. They discuss th...
