

The Fire Time Podcast
Tim Reed
Are you tired of presentations that are only half relevant to your business? Many speakers are not practitioners of their material, simply teachers—not so with The Fire Time Podcast. This podcast is for the hearth industry and by the hearth industry. Host Tim Reed has over a decade of experience in the hearth industry, making conversations with guests relevant and extremely practical. In Season One, Tim speaks with twelve hearth industry leaders and provides content relevant to any position, whether on the retail or manufacturing side. Hearth companies everywhere are lost because the landscape of business has changed dramatically in the last ten years. They are trying hard, but they just don’t know what to do. The Fire Time Podcast equips hearth companies to win by sharing ideas and innovation from the best minds in our industry. This podcast will give you the tools to move the needle in your company and win in the changing landscape. This podcast is the first of its kind—specific to the business that you work in every day and simple enough to teach you what’s needed to succeed. Do not miss out on The Fire Time Podcast, available for Apple and Droid devices or at www.itsfiretime.com/podcast. The simple and repeatable steps provided will empower you to grow the bottom line of your company and inspire the team that you lead. ABOUT: Tim Reed is the Retail Sales Leader at Fireside Home Solutions in the Pacific Northwest where he helps his team members make it so stupidly easy to buy from them that there is no excuse not to. Starting as individual salesperson in an empty warehouse, he has grown Fireside’s Retail division by millions (after cutting his marketing budget by 90%). Tim has been invited all over the country to teach companies how to market effectively to their customers and sell more than ever before. His YouTube videos, sales blog, and “Fire Time Podcast” have become a resource for the industry and are actively helping thousands of people rethink their paradigms so that they can grow their businesses in the changing landscape. Tim learned “just enough to be dangerous” about sales, marketing, web development, and leadership from years of playing guitar in a failing punk band—which he swears has uniquely qualified him for his job today. Now considered one of the most innovative minds and compelling communicators in the industry, Tim uses his platform to serve others, helping them create clear messages that are wildly compelling to their audiences. Tim lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Jessica, two children, Olivia and Luke, and his 90 pound Golden Retriever, Walter. He still plays guitar in a failing punk band. CONTACT: tim@itsfiretime.com | www.itsfiretime.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2026 • 26min
Dax Johnston - 3 Tips to Transform Industry Rookies Into Hearth Pros (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to an article by Dax Johnston titled, "3 Tips to Transform Industry Rookies Into Hearth Pros" (released in the September 2025 issue of The Fire Time Magazine).
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To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime

Jan 13, 2026 • 18min
Peter Parsons - Let’s Rethink Efficiency in the Hearth Industry (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to an article by Peter Parsons titled, "Let’s Rethink Efficiency in the Hearth Industry" (released in the October 2025 issue of The Fire Time Magazine).
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To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime

Jan 6, 2026 • 30min
Starting Well - How Putting First Things First Drives Meaningful Results (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to his article "Starting Well - How Putting First Things First Drives Meaningful Results" (released in the February 2024 issue of The Fire Time Magazine).
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To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime

Dec 30, 2025 • 24min
"168 Hours: Reclaiming Balance Between Work and Family" by Clay Dennis (FTM Rapid Reaction)
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to Clay Dennis' article "168 Hours: Reclaiming Balance Between Work and Family" (released in the November 2025 issue of The Fire Time Magazine).
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To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime

Dec 23, 2025 • 1h 9min
Q&A Episode
Tim wraps up Season 15 of the Fire Time Podcast with the holiday tradition of a Question and Answer episode where he reviews submissions from listeners and responds to a wide range of topics from this season of the podcast.
Questions include:
What should the average margin be on fireplaces and stoves and how to do the math when pricing a job?
"The ability from deep through comes from reading." Does this mean that people who can't or don't read aren't able to think as deeply?
How do you decide which brands to focus on in a showroom when you have a lot that are really good?
How do I keep business strong when the season changes and the weather gets warmer?
How is it that do you don't have email on your phone?
How do I keep from losing work when there is someone locally who undercuts everyone's prices?
How do I get my team to use a sales process?
Don't miss the Season 15 finale to hear the answers to these great questions from listeners like you!
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
Matt Bradley - Episode 320 - Matt Bradley - A Skeptic's Guide to AI
"AI should do your laundry and dishes so you can do art and writing."
This week, Tim sits down with Matt Bradley (Partnership Manager at WhyFire and editor of The Fire Time Magazine) to discuss the thoughtful use of AI in business—and the critical distinction between tools that enhance our humanity versus those that erode it.
In this episode, Tim and Matt discuss:
Why kale, cold showers, and AI all triggered the same stubborn response—and what changed Matt's mind about it
Where AI can be used within every hearth business to save time and free up capacity for other things.
What to understand about training AI to give you the results you need.
How AI is turning us into "pancake people" who are wide but shallow—and what one activity actually prevents it
Don't miss this conversation that balances practical AI application with philosophical warning about what we risk losing if we outsource our thinking to artificial intelligence.
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Links from this episode:
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
Proust and the Squid
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
Subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine for free: https://www.itsfiretime.com/subscribe
Read The Fire Time Magazine online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com

Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 7min
Grant Falco - Sales is a Race to 10 Points
"Try to win the games that no one else realizes they're playing."
This week , Tim dives into one of his favorite quotes with its proverbist, Grant Falco, President of Falcos Spokane. They explore everything from greeting customers, to effort towards finding answers, to how your parking lot looks, in order to win ten points and make the sale - because everything your business does is either gaining points or losing points.
Tune in now to hear why the race to ten is not that hard if you understand the game and why you should do the small things the same way you do the big things.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app

Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 13min
Steve Marshman - Why Everyone Should be Planning for Retirement
"Money does not buy security. Money does not buy freedom. It does buy flexibility."
This week , Tim sits down with Steve Marshman to talk about financial investing to create wealth future wealth. In a change of pace from podcast topics of sales, marketing, or leadership, they dive into thinking about the future, planning for retirement, and being wise.
Tim and Steve discuss:
Planning for the future when you are running a business and busy dealing with daily operations, problems, or responsibilities.
Where to start and the Top Four Rules of Investing: 1) Diversify your investments. 2) Know your fees. 3) Have a "time horizon." 4) Emotion is your biggest enemy.
How to think about market volatility, the pros/cons of a financial advisor, and index funds vs. actively managed funds.
Happiness, being a successful investor over time, teaching others to invest, and teaching others to give.
Don't miss this unique and practical episode to hear what you should be putting in place for yourself, or the people that work within your organization, to build wealth and create flexibility for the future.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app

Nov 25, 2025 • 57min
Gary Yoder - Serve First, Win Second
"At the core - every interaction, every connection that we make, we try not to ever look at an order as just another dollar. It's an interaction with someone."
In this episode, Tim is joined by Gary Yoder, President of Sales and CMO at Stoll Industries, to discuss generosity and their notoriously positive approach to business. In the heart of the season, they talk about the purpose of business and stewardship of our resources, in order to be generous to the people around us.
Tim and Gary cover:
Relationships being at the core of what you do and having your impression and impact be more than just dollars and cents.
Making wise and sustainable decisions in how and what you give back to the community.
How an approach of generosity inspires people, builds momentum, and fuels team member engagement.
Challenges that come with having an approach of service and generosity.
Check out Stoll at https://www.stollindustries.com and don't miss this episode to hear how harnessing generosity as a superpower supports your team, grows deep customer loyalty, and can be a force for good.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 7min
What's Best Next? Prioritizing the 4 Critical Tasks of a Salesperson
"How do we make the most of the time that we have, realizing that there are so many things pulling at us for our focus and attention?"
This week, Tim shares one of his courses from the 2025 Digital Fire Time Summit.
In his course, Tim talks about:
Managing the tension of the "whirlwind" and the wildly important work that has to get done.
The axis scale of urgent vs. important and the four quadrants of work.
"The Tim Rethlake Time Ratio" and the benefit of investing the time to understand a customer's problem and advise a solution.
Prioritizing the 4 Critical Tasks of a Sales Person: 1.) Sit down with every customer and complete an Understanding Form. 2.) Write an estimate for every customer before they leave. 3.) Follow up with 15 customers each week. 4.) Send thank-you cards to your customers every month.
Tune in now to experience this live class and learn how to have more capacity on the back end by being diligent on the front end.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app


