PODCAST

Born Scrappy

Stu Kagan

The go-to podcast for scrap metal exporters and traders

business

All Episodes

42:26

Shaping Tomorrow’s Industry with Nathan Workman

Born Scrappy ·

2025/08/21

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Nathan Workman from Pure Aluminum. We explore the future of aluminum and the lessons he’s learned from over a decade in the industry. Nathan started his career at Kaiser Aluminum, where he worked in casting, logistics, and metals trading before making the leap to Franklin Metals and Pure Aluminum. Today, he’s helping launch Pure Aluminum’s new secondary facility, rolling out an ERP system, and using data and AI to make smarter, faster trading and operat...

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44:25

Driving Long-Term Success with Michael Sciaba

Born Scrappy ·

2025/08/14

In this week’s episode, I chat with Michael Sciaba, General Manager of Allied Recycling Center. He’s one of the most hands-on, grounded operators in the game! Michael’s journey started young, working in his family’s construction business before pivoting to metal recycling in his teens. By 21, he was running the day-to-day operations. Today, he leads a thriving, self-funded business known for transparency, trust, and long-term thinking. Since taking the helm in 2010, he’s driven company growth...

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43:42

Leading by Example with Becky Proler

Born Scrappy ·

2025/08/06

In this week’s episode, I chat to Becky Proler, President of SCR Recycling and a powerhouse in the metal recycling world. Becky’s family is credited with inventing the "Prolerizer," the first automobile shredder, a revolutionary innovation in metal recycling. And she’s still innovating today. We cover her decades-long journey from hand-sorting metal as a kid, to building a thriving shredding and processing operation in Houston, to pushing the boundaries of what AI can do for alloy separatio...

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39:53

Diving into Scrap Expo 2025 with Jim Keefe

Born Scrappy ·

2025/07/30

In this week’s episode, I chat to Jim Keefe, Executive Vice President of GIE Media and the driving force behind Scrap Expo - one of the most operator-friendly events in the metal recycling industry. Jim shares his 30+ year journey in the business, how he stumbled into the scrap world, and how Scrap Expo was born out of a clear need. Hands-on demos and direct connection for scrappies of all sizes. From running a publishing house to building one of the most action-packed events in the space, Ji...

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38:04

Blending Heritage and Innovation with Ryan Weinstein

Born Scrappy ·

2025/07/23

In today’s episode I chat to Ryan Weinstein, Vice President of M&M Recycling. He’s a second-generation scrappy who literally grew up in the yard, and now oversees four locations including a shredding facility. Ryan blends old-school hustle with modern tools, from running dispatch to rolling out new software. He’s got deep knowledge from the yard floor to the global market, and has a clear vision for the future of the industry. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 New tools in an old-school

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47:58

Leading from the Ground Up with Bill Sulak

Born Scrappy ·

2025/07/16

In this week’s episode, I chat with Bill Sulak, President of Ferrous Processing and Trading. Bill’s journey into scrap wasn’t planned, but once he walked through the gates as a scale operator in a three-piece suit, he was hooked. Two decades later, he's leading one of the most respected operations in the industry. Bill shares his views on leading from the ground up, why the best training happens in the yard, and how to build and maintain meaningful trading relationships. We dig into the impo...

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49:57

Embracing Change with Sarah Zwilsky and Sam Padnos

Born Scrappy ·

2025/07/09

In this episode, I chat to Sarah Swilsky, President at Potomac Metals, and Sam Padnos, Trader at PADNOS. Two different paths. Two different companies. One honest conversation. Sarah and Sam reflect on growing up in the industry, stepping into leadership, and what it means to shape a business that reflects your values. If you're building something that lasts, this one's for you. We talk about: 👉 Strategy beyond spreadsheets 👉 Family dynamics in scrap 👉 Leading with intention 👉 Culture as a

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44:11

Overcoming Challenges in Trade with Vishal Jatia and...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/07/02

In this week’s episode, I chat with Vishal Jatia, Owner of Greenland Inc., and Aldo Jordan, President of The Metals Agency. These two industry veterans have traded through the wildest of market swings—and they’re here to talk about the strategies that help scrappies not just survive but thrive in volatile conditions. We dive into: 👉 Navigating global logistics disruptions 👉 Adapting to shifting Chinese tariffs 👉 Strategic pivots when exports collapse 👉 Why relationships and real-time info

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48:23

Failing fast with Andrew Lincoln of Lincoln Recycling

Born Scrappy ·

2025/06/13

In this week’s episode I chat to Andrew Lincoln, VP/GM at Lincoln Recycling and Recycled Materials Associtaion (ReMA) Director-At-Large. He’s a third-gen recycler and together with his brother Jeremy, they have continued to grow the core business while expanding into brokerage and remote interior demolition services across the US. Andrew is also a reality-TV sensation, featuring in both seasons of John Sacco’s acclaimed Table Scraps. While some would argue that the International Team was robb...

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41:39

Generational Leadership with ReMA Young Exec of the...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/06/04

In this week’s episode I chat to Eds Harding, 3rd generation and Vice President of Operations at Harding Metals. Eds went straight from college into the family business and has never looked back. Not only is he the ReMA New England Chapter President, but he was recently named ReMA’s Young Executive of the Year - congrats Eds! In this episode, we talk about: 👉 When no deal is your best deal 👉 Sweating your software 👉 Customer diversity 👉 Unsung hero’s 👉 And more! Listen to the full episode

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39:56

Inspiring the next generation of recyclers with Scuba...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/04/24

In this week’s episode I chat to Jessica Alexanderson, known to many in the industry as “Scuba Jess”. Jess started out in shipping with Evergreen, where she was responsible for helping scrappies ship their recycled metal around the world. In her free time, Jess cleans up the ocean on her diving expeditions. Jess has always been passionate about the environment and when the opportunity presented itself, she transitioned into educating the net generation of recyclers. She partnered with Brad Ru...

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48:26

Shaping the Future of Recycling with COO Tyler Adams

Born Scrappy ·

2025/04/16

In this week’s episode I chat to Tyler Adams, COO of SA Recycling. Tyler was born scrappy and has emerged into one of the most forward-thinking leaders in our industry today. He started boots on the ground, degree in hand, and was given permission to fail. The way he thinks about leadership, culture, finance, and operations is steeped in intergenerational wisdom, deep personal experience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. In this episode, we talk about: 👉 Building in diversity

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52:31

Staying resilient through market uncertainty - ReMA...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/04/10

In this week’s episode, I chatted to Brian Shine (CEO at Manitoba Corporation), Sam Desai (VP at RM Metals) and international trade attorney Camelia Mazard (Partner at Doyle, Barlow & Mazard). This episode was recorded at the recent ReMA Joint New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic, & New York Chapter Atlantic City Meeting. It was my first time attending their chapter event, and it definitely won’t be the last time! I’ve added it to my list of must-attend annual events and if you’re doing business ...

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33:37

Decoding China's steel agenda with Atilla Widnell of...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/03/27

In this episode, I chat to Atilla Widnell, Founder & Managing Director of Navigate Commodities. Navigate Commodities monitors commodity supply chains in real time through the use of satellites. They monitor production at steel mills and analyse metal flow in specific regions. We discuss the latest developments in the steel industry, particularly focusing on China's recent National People's Congress and its implications on global steel markets. This episode is a deep dive into understandin...

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49:19

Thinking out of the box with scrap icon Dr Salam Al...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/03/20

In this episode, I chat to Dr. Salam Sharif, the Chairman of Sharif Metals Group, one of the largest scrap metal exporters in the Middle East. Dr. Sharif is the former Chairman of BIR, the Founding President of the BIR, and the Director of Advocacy for the Dubai Recycling Business Group at the Dubai Chambers. He's a civil and metallurgical engineer, with an executive MBA and a doctorate degree in Engineering and Economy. There are few people in this industry as experienced, educated and accom...

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44:09

Weathering the trade storm with CARI Chairman Brian...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/03/12

In this episode, I chat to Brian Shine, CEO of Manitoba Corporation, Chairman of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) and a former Chairman of the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA). With all the turbulence around tariffs, this is a point in time conversation where we explore how the latest US and retaliatory tariffs are impacting metal recyclers and consumers across the US, Canada and Mexico, and how they may be impacted in the long term if this is the new status quo. I...

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48:38

Elevating your experience at ReMA's The Show 2025...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/03/05

In this episode, I chat to Andy Cohen, Vice President of Raw Material Purchasing and Sales at Metal Conversions. More importantly for this episode, Andy is Event Chair for REMA's The Show 2025 taking place this May in San Diego. Andy has been in the scrap metal industry for nearly two decades and has attended countless ReMA events and held various different roles as part of ReMA. He’s introducing whole lot of new things to this year’s event and is looking to break all the records! Whether y...

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42:19

Navigating tariff implications with FastMarkets' Amy...

Born Scrappy ·

2025/02/27

In this episode, I chat to Amy Hinton, North American Scrap Editor for Fastmarkets. She has her finger on the pulse when it comes to price reporting and has become a familiar face in the industry. Amy has a background in both financial services and journalism, and holds a Masters degree from University of Bath. In today's episode, we talk about: 👉 The impact of new tariffs 👉 The winners and losers 👉 Domestic mill capacity 👉 New trading lanes 👉 And much more! Listen to the full episode

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45:02

S3E15: Navigating freight with Sealink...

Born Scrappy ·

2024/12/19

In this episode I chat to Zohra Shroff, Director of Operations at Sealink International.Zohra has been in the freight game for 20 years and let's just say she knows a thing or two!In today's episode, we talk about:👉 Strategies to reduce shipping costs 👉 Freight forwarders vs going direct 👉 Common shipping mistakes👉 Freight outlook for 2025👉 And much more!Listen to the full episode. Wherever you stream your podcasts.Born Scrappy. Brought to you by Buddy.The only marketplace and tra...

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45:19

S3E14: Strategic plays with Jonathan Ross of John...

Born Scrappy ·

2024/12/12

In this episode, I chat to Jonathan Ross, Vice President at John Ross & Sons, a large metal recycler in Eastern Canada. The company has 14 yards, including a large auto shredding operation, and a very impressive cable granulation plant. Jonathan is a fourth generation metal recycler, and by the sounds of it, there'll be a lot more generations running this company in the future. In today's episode, we talk about:👉 When markets crash👉 Capital purchases👉 Going direct👉 Buying right...

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Born Scrappy

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