Consuming Careers

I think you’d agree that one of the most tragic artifacts of today’s society is the proliferation of human trafficking. In this weeks’ episode of Consuming Careers, we’re meeting with Ian Mitchell, who, while on his quest for a meaningful purpose in his life, was awakened to the horrors of human trafficking. Slowly, he began to realize that his entire career was preparing for a battle. Today, Ian is a leader in the fight against sex trafficking, child exploitation, and elder scams, but not with weapons or force; instead, by attacking the lifeblood that fuels these hideous crimes: the digital flow of money. A word of caution: due to the sensitive nature of this topic, please be mindful of those who may overhear this podcast. 

You can find Ian Mitchell at: https://www.iantmitchell.com/. Also at:

• Spotify: Ian Mitchll - https://open.spotify.com/artist/31fwXkfT11l03GkbLvDkMe
• LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iantmitchell/

Matt Friedman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-friedman-9788555/

About The Knoble: Learn more at: https://www.TheKnoble.com

About the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/home

Cabo Fish Taco: https://www.cabofishtaco.com/

Interview recorded live at Ian’s house near Outlook Mountain, TN.

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

As Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” In this weeks’ episode of Consuming Careers, we’re spending time with Mark Myers, who, after 20yrs in the electronics industry, found himself facing a life-altering tragedy: the loss of his youngest daughter to childhood cancer. In the aftermath, Mark found a new sense of purpose for his work and his relationships, and a redeeming clarity to focus on the things that really matter in his life, but not without the struggle of a day-by-day walk through the tension between hope and loss. 

You can find Mark Myers at: [email protected]

About Smiley for Kylie: Smiley For Kylie is non-profit organization that exists for the purpose of funding research that will lead to safer and more effective cures for childhood cancer, as well as other charitable purposes related to raising awareness of childhood cancer and supporting those impacted by it. Learn more at: https://www.smileyforkylie.org

Find out more about CURE Childhood Cancer at: https://curechildhoodcancer.org/

You can find Mark’s book, “Missing Kylie: A Father's Search for Meaning in Tragedy” on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hrZmF65

Interview recorded live on a cold winter morning on the Smiley for Kylie bench at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

If you work, then you’re all too familiar with networking. But do you network to make a sale or to truly make a difference? In this weeks’ episode of Consuming Careers, I’m meeting with Ricky Steele who has invested his life in investing in others. Ricky has become one of the most well known and respected business developers in the Southeast, but not without significant personal sacrifice. Ricky not only shares his approach to networking, but also his calling for pursuing relationships with authentic empathy and generosity.

You can find Ricky Steele at: [email protected], or

• LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickysteele/
• FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/ricky.steele
• Twitter/X - @rickysteele

Ricky Steele’s book “The Heart of Networking” is available here: “The Heart of Networking Third Edition” is available on both the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A signed version is also available on Shopify at www.heartofnetworking.net.

Interview recorded live over a perfectly cooked petite filet and an amazing Cabernet at McKendrick's Steakhouse in Atlanta, Georgia: https://www.mckendricks.com

A special thanks to Carol Conway, General Manager, for her gracious hospitality, and to Mark for his outstanding service. Thank you! 

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

Maybe you’ve heard it said that “God doesn’t call the equipped, but equips those He calls.” In this week's episode of Consuming Careers, we’re sitting down with Kitti Murray, who, with her husband Bill, saw a need in the Atlanta refugee community for jobs, skills training, and a place where refugees could feel welcomed. Answering the call, the Murray’s jumped in with both feet and created Refuge Coffee, now with 4 locations, continuing what they call “The Work of Welcome”. A bit of a caveat here: this is less of a “how-to manual”, but more of an inspirational story of perseverance and triumph through the valleys of personal loss. So grab a coffee and check out my conversation with Kitti.

You can connect with Kitti Murray at: [email protected]

For more info on Refuge Coffee Co.: https://www.refugecoffeeco.com/ 

Interview recorded live over a delicious cortado at Refuge Coffee in Historic Norcross: https://www.refugecoffeeco.com/

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

Have you ever had one of those jobs where you thought it was your calling, but it just turned out to be a soul draining experience? In this weeks’ episode we’re speaking with Chad Parsons who shares his experience of growing up in a rather dysfunctional home, and how he learned that the path to a more fulfilling career comes far less from external affirmation than from living an authentic life.

You can find Chad Parsons at: http://linkedin.com/in/chad-parsons-ctp-9287b09 or email at: [email protected]

Dr. Mark Rutland’s book “Launch out into the Deep”: https://drmarkrutland.com/product/launch-out-into-the-deep/

Interview recorded live over breakfast at Manhattan NY Deli & Bagels (“Grouchy’s”) in Peachtree Corners, GA. Learn more at: https://manhattannydeli.com

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

When life punches you in the face and demands every ounce of your energy and attention to persevere, how would you respond? In this week’s episode of Consuming Careers, we sit down with Anthony Roman who shares how his life has been shaped by unexpected obstacles, and how those challenges left him no alternative but to dig deep to find the grit of his character, which ultimately fueled his ability to focus on the things that truly matter in his life and his career

You can find Anthony Roman at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyromanatl/

Interview recorded live with a side of tater tots at NFA Burger in Dunwoody, GA. Check them out at: https://nfaburger.com/ 

And a special thanks to owner Billy Kramer for his wonderful hospitality.

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

How do you find the courage and strength to redefine your career when the “next right step” can lead you down a radical path into very unfamiliar territory? In this episode of Consuming Careers, we’re meeting with Kurt Kandler who, at a crossroads in his career, took what he believed was the next right step to follow an unexpected calling that led him to Uganda, Kenya and beyond. 

You can connect with Kurt Kandler at: [email protected]

For more info on The 410Bridge: https://www.410bridge.org/

You can find the book “If You Really Want to Help: Redefining the war on poverty” by Kurt Kandler on Amazon: https://a.co/d/h714Qe5

This interview was recorded live on Kurt’s pontoon boat in the middle of Lake Nottley in North Georgia.

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

Have you ever considered the power of having a clearly defined point of view? In this episode of Consuming Careers, we’re talking with Jeremy Garlington who has spent his career, not only guiding leaders in articulating their unique points of view, but also shares how his personal point of view has evolved while navigating the adversity in his own life.

You can find Jeremy Garlington at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremygarlington/

Podcast recorded live on the roof of B&W Burgers, Buns & Brews in downtown Norcross, GA: https://bwburgers.com/

Special thanks to B&W owner Jimmy Costas for his warm hospitality and complimentary Old Fashions! Thank you!!!

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

In this episode we’re going to do something a little different, and to be honest, something a bit self-indulgent. Recently, I spent the weekend at an Asheville mountain cabin with several close friends including three brothers that I interviewed for this podcast. As you’ll see, each has quite a different career path, point of view, and offers their unique perspectives on things like ‘grit or quit’, perseverance, and relationships in the workplace. We also take some time to relish our 40 years of friendship with some storytelling and favorite practical jokes. I hope you enjoy listening in on our discussion.

You can learn more about the McGimsey Brothers at:

• John McGimsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcgimsey-64b82135/
• Jim McGimsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mcgimsey-cpa-8901603/
• Charlie McGimsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmcgimsey/

Podcast recorded live on the back porch of a mountain cabin just outside of Asheville.

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]

Is it really possible to have a calling or a purpose? If so, is it possible to know your calling… with certainty and clarity? In this episode of Consuming Careers, we’re meeting with Jeff Feldhahn who shares his experience of how he found his calling and the principles he applied to finding clarity in his purpose.

You can connect with Jeff Feldhahn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-feldhahn-19814b/

For more info on World2One: https://www.world2one.com/

Check out the many books by Jeff Feldhahn on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JP40VK

Interview was recorded live at Dagwood’s Pizza in Spalding Corners, GA: https://dagwoodspizza.com/

A special thanks to Diana at Dagwood’s Pizza for her gracious hospitality and making us feel so welcome!

Click to text Bruce now!

About Bruce Smith: Over the past 40 years, I’ve covered a lot of ground in my career: white collar, blue collar, college drop-out, college graduate, practicing CPA, multiple business owner, elected official, recruiter and career consultant. Each chapter has equipped me to better help others navigate their career decisions and has fueled my passion to help people find meaning, purpose and fulfillment in the work they do.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucewsmith/ 
You can email at: [email protected]