# 96. True Grit and the "Smoke Show" with Stephen Brasher | Fence Guy Podcast Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fence-guy-podcast-7033602/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fence-guy-podcast-7033602/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast.md Podcast: [Fence Guy Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fence-guy-podcast-7033602) Published: 2026-04-29T09:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://727af13d-9894-410a-86e6-f8e19133dde1.libsyn.com/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/727af13d-9894-410a-86e6-f8e19133dde1/audio_only_stephen_episode.mp3?dest-id=4694662 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fence-guy-podcast-7033602/episodes/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast Duration seconds: 4385 ## Resource In this episode of Fence Guy Podcast , we're joined by Stephen Brasher , owner of True Grit Fencing out of White Plains, Kentucky . Stephen brings a unique perspective to the "Fence Fam," having transitioned from the coal mines and pallet mills to building one of the most respected up-and-coming fence companies in his region . Before diving into the business, we take a moment to honor a friend of the show, Ryan Miller, and his family during a difficult time of loss . Inside the Industry with True Grit Fencing The "Mr. Fence" Blueprint : Stephen shares how early mentorship from industry veteran Sean King helped him build a high-standard foundation from his very first privacy fence . The Pre-Staining Standard : Learn why True Grit pre-stains nearly 100% of their lumber in the shop, ensuring a longer-lasting product and a cleaner job site . Steel vs. Wood : Stephen discusses his "no-dig" approach, favoring Titan steel posts over 6x6 wood for their durability and efficiency . The Pine Picket Lesson : A "plum awful" experience with treated pine pickets led Stephen to switch exclusively to cedar—a move that saved his reputation and his sanity . Business, Marketing, and Scaling Up Hiring the "Better Half" : With Stephen's wife joining the business full-time, we discuss the importance of moving away from "everything in my head" to building real systems and processes . Marketing That Sticks : Forget expensive digital ads; Stephen talks about the ROI of high-end vehicle wraps, yard signs, and the surprising power of TikTok . Identifying the Red Flags : From "cheaper homes" to a lack of sprinkler systems, Stephen shares what he looks for during an estimate to ensure a job is worth the effort . The "Smoke Show" and Gear Talk The Epic Fail : We break down Stephen's viral "smoke sho… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fence-guy-podcast-7033602/episodes/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/fence-guy-podcast-7033602/96-true-grit-and-the-smoke-show-with-stephen-brasher-fence-guy-podcast.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.