Jon Ekstrom, a Communications Consultant at Deft Communications, talks about his passion for organizing theme parties, the different themes he has done, why it’s important to have structure when putting together a party and much more!

539: Jon Ekstrom is a Communications Consultant & Themed Party Host [podcast]

John Garrett’s research involves talking with professionals who realize that who you are is so much more than what you do. Accountants, consultants, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals everywhere are doing hobbies and passions after they leave the office. We discuss why these outside-of-work interests matter and how they've impacted their career.

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Zane Stevens joins host John Garrett to share insights on his nontraditional approach to accountancy firm structure, prioritizing employee happiness for increased productivity. He delves into his personal passions, including his significant involvement in coaching soccer and managing a youth soccer league. Zane credits the skills he's developed through coaching, such as patience and recognizing individual motivations, as valuable lessons that translate to the corporate world.

617: Zane Stevens is a Chartered Accountant & Soccer Fan [podcast]

Clint Padgett dives into his passion for scuba diving, recounting night dives with bioluminescent plankton and close encounters with marine wildlife, such as barracudas and hammerhead sharks. He shares the exhilaration of drift diving in destinations like Cozumel and relives a particularly nerve-wracking experience with an air supply issue in Curacao. Clint also opens up about his journey to veganism through his travels and the use of helpful apps like Happy Cow. He fondly recalls the adventure that led to him and his brother getting certified for scuba diving and speaks on the joy his company brings him in helping clients. Listeners get a glimpse of Clint's personal side as he answers rapid-fire questions, revealing his preferences and favorite memories. Throughout the episode, Clint emphasizes the importance of pursuing individual passions and how they can enrich one’s professional life.

615: Clint Padgett is a CEO & Vegan Foodie & Scuba Diver [podcast]

Alice Grey Harrison shares her passion for needlepoint, which she discovered during a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. She expresses the meditative benefits of needlepoint and defends integrating hobbies like this into the workplace, arguing that they enhance energy and spark creativity. She advocates for integrating personal passions into work life, suggesting that such practices can lead to moments of clarity and contribute to overall well-being. She also discusses how organizations can have programs to support employees' pursuits outside of work, helping them be their best both personally and professionally.

613: Alice Grey Harrison is a Communications Consultant & Needlepointer [podcast]

Steve Grimes delves into his passion for mountain climbing, sharing insights from his experiences with altitude sickness and the perseverance required to conquer towering peaks like Kilimanjaro. Steve, the firm administrator at Whipplewood CPAs in Littleton, Colorado, has tackled 34 of the state's 58 "14ers," with mountain climbing providing him not only a physical challenge but also a mental resilience that translates into his professional life. He discusses the parallels between climbing and workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and human connection. This episode explores how personal endeavors such as Steve's mountain climbing and book collecting can enrich office dynamics and professional relationships.

611: Steve Grimes is a Firm Administrator & Mountain Climber [podcast]

In this episode of "What's Your 'And'?", Michael Berthold shares his journey from engineering to embracing his passion for music. Michael recounts how forming the band Clubhouse in college and winning a contest to play at the LC Pavilion gave him tremendous confidence, which he has carried into his accounting career. He discusses the balancing act of being a senior accountant and client engagement manager at Bean in Los Angeles, while also pursuing his love for creating music. Berthold encourages listeners to express their hobbies and interests at work, relating a memorable encounter with a CFO who was a former bass player for Imagine Dragons. He emphasizes the importance of being authentic and sharing one's talents with the world.

539: Jon Ekstrom is a Communications Consultant & Themed Party Host [podcast]

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