Leave the Pile Higher
"My job is to leave the pile higher for you and your sister."
That was my father's philosophy long before I understood it—and decades before I ever thought about launching a podcast. He never used the word legacy.
He simply lived it.
In 1983, faced with financial sacrifices and difficult choices, my father made a decision that changed the trajectory of my life. Rather than take the easier path, he chose to invest in my future. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate what that sacrifice meant. It wasn't until after his passing in 2018 that I truly understood the depth of his commitment and the legacy he was building.
On what would have been my father's 75th birthday, I launched Leave the Pile Higher as a way to honor his legacy and explore a question we all face:
What are we leaving behind for those who come after us?
Through honest conversations with guests from all walks of life, we explore leadership, faith, family, resilience, service, personal growth, and purpose.
While this podcast often speaks directly to Black men navigating fatherhood, leadership, purpose, and life's responsibilities with intention, the lessons shared here are universal. Legacy belongs to all of us.
Whether through guest interviews, Legacy Notes, or Legacy Blueprint panel discussions, every episode is designed to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to think differently about the impact you're making right now.
Because legacy isn't something you leave someday.
It's something you build every day.
One decision.
One sacrifice.
One conversation.
One rep at a time.
Let's Build.
Leave the Pile Higher
Just Getting Started: Two-Year Anniversary of Leaving the Pile Higher
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Two years. Two years of resilience, purpose, and building something greater than ourselves. In this milestone episode of Leave the Pile Higher, Grow Your Legacy, we celebrate the journey—through the highs, the lows, and the six-month silence that nearly derailed it all.
This celebration is deeply personal. Today would have been my dad’s 77th birthday, and every step of this podcast has been done in honor of him. My father, Ralph William Savage III, embodied joy, resilience, and love. Losing him left a hole in my heart, but every episode I publish is my way of keeping his legacy alive. It’s a journey that brings me to tears with each milestone we reach.
Legacy isn’t built in a straight line. It’s forged in the messy, imperfect moments when we choose not to quit. In this episode, I reflect on what it took to reach this milestone and draw inspiration from the lives of Reginald F. Lewis, Eric Thomas, and Inky Johnson—three men whose resilience and purpose remind us of the power of legacy and the impact of perseverance.
What’s the legacy you’re building when no one’s watching? Join me as we reflect, celebrate, and look forward to the chapters still unwritten.
Because two years in? We’re just getting started.
Episode Highlights:
- Celebrating two years of Leave the Pile Higher, Grow Your Legacy.
- A heartfelt tribute to my father, Ralph William Savage III, on what would have been his 77th birthday.
- Lessons learned from personal challenges, including a six-month podcast silence.
Featured Inspirations:
- Reflections on the resilience and purpose of Reginald F. Lewis, Eric Thomas, and Inky Johnson.
- Brief insights from Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, and Robin Sharma on the power of finding your “why”.
Action Steps:
- Reflect on your “why.”
- Embrace imperfections as part of the legacy-building process.
- Recognize the ripple effect of your actions on those around you.
CTA:
Take a deeper dive into uncovering your “why” with the 7 Levels of Why Origin. Schedule a Legacy Snapshot with me.
Looking to protect what you've built, strengthen your foundation, or create a plan for the future?
Whether you're a family focused on protecting what matters most or a business owner building something bigger than yourself, Savage Family Office can help you think through the risks, opportunities, and strategies that support your long-term goals.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute Legacy Snapshot and let's explore ways to help you protect, build, and preserve the legacy you're creating for yourself, your family, your business, and future generations.
Book your Legacy Snapshot today and take another step toward leaving the pile higher.
Interested in being a guest on Leave the Pile Higher?
I'm always looking for individuals who are building, serving, leading, overcoming challenges, and making a difference in the lives of others.
If you have a story of faith, resilience, leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship, or legacy-building, I'd welcome the opportunity to learn more about your journey and consider the possibility of featuring you on the podcast. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
To be considered as a guest—or to ask a question about an episode—email: leavethepilehigher@gmail.com
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