Episodes
135
Latest episode
Aug 2026
Language
EN-US
Welcome to Final Approach with Chris Gregory. I am a philomath, who is somebody who loves learn things. One of the things that I've learned is that everyone has a tale to tell and a lesson to teach. From pilots to farriers, to musicians, to authors, and creators. I'm going to explore my interests while introducing you to some amazing people. Pre-flight is complete and we have clearance, so let's kick the tires and start the fires.
Butch Whitaker, CJF, is the owner of Oregon Horseshoeing School. He has a great way about him, and we have a good time sitting down and finding out a little about each other's school. Butch is a farrier educator, wrestler, cowboy, sometimes farmworker, and drives a Tesla. This was a great visit. We are cleared for takeoff.
Getting to meet Avi required a special set of circumstances, and it was fantastic to sit down with someone with such an interesting history. Son of Jewish refugees from the work camps in northern Africa, a history in Isreali intelligence, history professor, Messianic Christian missionary, and now running trade school programs in Sweden, Avi has seen some life. He has some great stories and insights, and you are going to enjoy our conversation. We are cleared for takeoff.
Timmy and Elin were two of the four farrier educators from the Lerums Vuxenutbildning school in Sweden that came to the Heartland to see how we teach our students to shoe horses. We had a great time sharing ideas and learning more about their culture, and this conversation gives you a peak into what it means to be a farrier and live in Sweden. Turns out horses have feet all over the world. We are cleared for takeoff.
Dustin Smith has a gift for gab and we have a great conversation with a lot of fun stories and inspirational take aways. You'll be hungry for an Ozark Natural Steak by the time you get done with this one. Sit back and enjoy, we are cleared for takeoff.
Pedro Pechar is one of my great friends from Argentina. He came to the Heartland in 1996, our second year in business. From there, he returned to Argentina and has had a massive influence in the farrier industry. I got to sit down with him at Emilio Gionnotti's amazing place in Sierra de los Padres when Kelly and I were down there doing a clinic and FITS Exam. Let me introduce you to Patagonia Pedro. We are cleared for takeoff.
Andrew DeVisser plays a lot of roles. Christian, husband, father, farrier, manufacturer, and author, Andrew has a lot of insights and thoughts on living your best life. This episode has the added advantage of Cody Gregory helping me to bring the story to light, and we have a great coversation. Thanks for joining us, and I hope you enjoy it. We are cleared for takeoff.
Robbie and I first met over two decades ago in the Big Top at the World Champion Blacksmith Competition at the great Calgary Stampede. We have forged a friendship over our passion for the farrier trade and horses, and it is fantastic to share some of that history with you. Robbie has overcome more than most, and his story of coming up in the world is inspirational and fantastic. We also talk about how Robbie looks at a foot for trimming and a tool that he's developed to help that. Sit back and enjoy, we are cleared for takeoff.
From football to 11B Airborne Ranger to farrier to Long Island cop, Joe Ryan brings a Christian ethic and perspective to the Farrier Blacksmith Course. I love to interview interesting people, and everyone has a story. Joe will give you faith in the future and you will be rooting for his success as you listen to this episode that I call "Follow Me". We are cleared for takeoff.
I've known Alexi for a long time, and I consider him a great friend. He is sincere, funny, and has a great story. We had a lot of fun sitting down and talking together and you'll enjoy getting to listen in. We are cleared for takeoff.
Derek is a farrier that started off in South Africa, built a business in Virginia, and had to leave the US and start over. This led him and his family on an interesting journey through the deserts of Dubai and the racehorse yards of New Market, UK. Always the inventor, Derek has found his way back to the US and is still a huge part of the farrier industry, even though he isn't getting under horses anymore. You're invited to listen in on our conversation. We are cleared for takeoff.
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