A promotional image for the "Against the Grain" podcast featuring a glass of whiskey, an open notebook with handwritten notes and a pen, and a black baseball cap with a patch that says "Life's About Choices". The background has the podcast's title and tagline, "Business, Lessons, Life, and Liquor."

Business lessons, life, and liquor. Each episode, Jon Umstead and co-host Nic Hess go against the grain to talk straight about entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, leadership, and building something fun from nothing.

Pull up a glass.

Against the Grain Podcast

Pre-Order Against the Grain for Kindle Now

Against the Grain Available at Amazon September 15, 2026 - Paperback and Kindle - Pre-Order For Kindle Now

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Against the Grain Available at Amazon September 15, 2026 - Paperback and Kindle - Pre-Order For Kindle Now ~~

Jon Umstead Jon Umstead

AG Podcast Ep 4: Reputation Travels Faster Than Advertising

Jon and Nic explore the critical importance of reputation in business versus traditional advertising. They discuss how reputation influences customer trust, brand perception, and long-term success, emphasizing that reputation can make or break your enterprise faster than any marketing campaign.

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