raising the stakes podcast

Join Jed Seifert on Raising The Stakes, where business growth meets purpose. Inspiring leaders share honest stories of success, struggle, and using their platform to make the world a better place. 

Just Dropped

Building a Brand Under Missile Strikes featuring Christian Borys

Featuring Christian Borys, Founder, Saint Javelin

In this episode, Christian Borys shares the remarkable story of Saint Javelin, a sticker fundraiser he launched just one week before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that grew into a global apparel brand, with everything made in Ukraine. Christian talks about his years as a war correspondent on the front lines, the moment a shirt he printed overnight ended up in the hands of President Zelensky and went viral, ultimately leading to the two of them meeting, and what it actually takes to build a lifestyle brand while your manufacturers’ buildings are being hit by missiles. He also opens up about betrayal by friends he trusted, the personal and financial risks he has taken along the way, and why he’s betting everything on turning Saint Javelin into a brand that outlasts the war.

Past Episodes

Business Is Personal: Jeremy Lott on Succession, Loss, and Giving Back

Featuring Jeremy Lott, CEO, SanMar

When his son Elliot passed away last June, SanMar CEO Jeremy Lott told his board he didn’t know if he’d ever come back. Recorded live at PRINTING United in Las Vegas, this episode of Raising the Stakes finds Jeremy returning to work while trying to carry forward Elliot’s instinct to say “I’m in” to whatever life offered. Jeremy speaks openly about growing up in a business that felt like a third sibling, about feeling he had to outwork everyone to prove he wasn’t just “Marty’s son,” about a divorce that made him rethink what being present means, and about cutting every employee’s pay during COVID, which he calls one of the hardest calls of his career. The second half turns to giving back: his family’s push to fund a cure for type 1 diabetes through Breakthrough T1D after his son Micah’s diagnosis, and the bilingual school SanMar helped build in Choloma, Honduras, where its factories are. The episode offers a different perspective on carrying grief as a connection to the people we love, and shows how a T-shirt business can change lives.”

The T-Shirt Company That Went Viral by Hiring Differently

Featuring Patrick Bardsley, CEO & Co-Founder, Spectrum Designs Foundation

In this episode, Patrick Bardsley shares the story behind Spectrum Designs — from printing shirts out of a backyard barn with one machine to building a 100+ employee apparel company where 70% of the team is neurodivergent. Patrick talks about the parent conversation that changed the course of his life, the decision to promote from within and put a neurodivergent employee in charge of marketing (a move that led to 30+ million views and a spot on Kelly Clarkson), and why he believes “we don’t employ people to make t-shirts — we make t-shirts to employ people.” He also opens up about fatherhood, his daughter’s health scare, and what it really costs to build something this meaningful.

Print Owner Operator Giving Back to Local Community

Featuring Dan Frank, CEO, SilverScreen Decoration & Fulfillment

In this episode, Dan Frank shares how he went from entrepreneur to private equity executive to print owner operator – ultimately following his calling to care for employees and create opportunities for his business and community through B.R.A.I.N. Nevada and the Empowerment Center for women.

Print Entrepreneur Raising Underserved Industry Voices

Featuring Ross Hunter, COO, Liquid Graphics

In this episode, Ross Hunter shares his entrepreneurial journey spanning childhood inspiration, starting Reviation Industries and a personal pivot point, ultimately leading him to COO at Liquid Graphics today. Ross also talks about his passion for helping people- starting Women Rock, a nonprofit United Together, and how making connections in the industry inspires us all to do good, give back, and raise underserved voices. 

Screen Print Visionary Impacting Lives in Haiti

Featuring Ryan Moor, Co-Founder, Allmade, Co-Founder, ROQ.US, Partner, MADE Lab

In this episode, Ryan Moor shares his personal journey as an entrepreneur and how his work with Allmade Apparel in Haiti makes an environmental and local employment impact. 

Screen Print Innovator Driving Impact with Amnesty International

Featuring Rick Roth, Owner, Mirror Image, Inc, Founder, The Ink Kitchen

Host Jed Seifert speaks with Rick Roth, screen print pioneer and philanthropist. Rick shares his story of driving change in the print industry with disability inclusion programs.

Rise Stories

Hear how industry leaders overcame challenges, pivoted with purpose, and built something worth being proud of.

Give Back

Discover how companies and individuals are using their success to drive meaningful change in their communities.

Real Conversations

No scripts, no fluff — just authentic dialogue with the people shaping the future of print.