All in 10 minutes.

In this special solo session, host BJ hits the pause button on the usual interview format for a critical pre-conference primer. The driving theme: while the Large ReStore Symposium (LRS) agenda is packed, its true value lies solely with the people—the listeners and leaders who drive the mission.

BJ gets candid about his own journey, detailing the "wonderful, magical world" of permitting delays while opening one of the country's largest ReStores. His hard-won lesson: stress-test your stress test and build financial contingencies for delays completely outside of your control.

In the midst of new store chaos another idea continues to spark an innovative challenge to the old model: Can we stop trying to run a mediocre trucking business while operating an exceptional retail business? BJ is fired up to find a solution to the "loss leader" status of free donation pickup.

Finally, the episode culminates in a special invitation to listeners attending the LRS in Memphis. BJ will be walking the halls with a recorder, asking one simple question: "What’s your story?" He argues that personal narratives—like how you fell in love with this work—are the most important resource, reminding everyone why we do what we do.