Living Your Passion

I first learned about Mark Horvath - today's guest (#15!) - after listening to future Living Your Passion podcast guest - and past Work Talk Show guest, Kerry O'Shea Gorgone. Mark was on Kerry's podcast, Marketing Smarts.

I literally stopped mid-listen and texted Kerry, asking for an introduction. A few emails - and weeks - later, here we are.

Mark BLEEDS passion.

And, while Mark has many passions including good (and bad) marketing, pho, drumming, fishing, his true passion is FIGHTING HOMELESSNESS. And thanks to the work Mark is doing with InvisiblePeople.TV, he's making a huge dent. Mark is a storyteller ... as you are about to learn.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to see how we can all help fight homelessness?

• We learn that Mark was once living on the streets, homeless.
• Mark talks about homeless people just being ... people - just like you and I.
• Mark shares the difference between fighting and ending homelessness (hint: He's a realist).
• Mark talks about how he empowers homeless people to tell their own stories.
• Mark tells stories - a lot of stories.
• Mark dispels a BOATLOAD of myths we all have around homelessness and homeless people in general.
• Mark encourages us to ask homeless people what they need ... instead of assuming they need money or food. Ask!
• Mark suggests giving homeless people apartments (with support services). Stick with me on this. And watch this video.
• Mark tells us the most expensive solution to homelessness is criminalization. The second most expensive is leaving them on the streets. Wow, right?
• We chatted about health ... a bit.

Just a hardly normal guy trying to navigate through an abnormal world by helping others. Media Consultant. Founder @invisiblepeople http://invisiblepeople.tv/movie. Find out more on Twitter.

• Storytelling and Nonprofit Marketing: Invisible People's Mark Horvath Talks to Marketing Smarts [Podcast]
• InvisiblePeople.TV
• Living Your Passion episode with Chris Rosati

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Jon Steiert (pronounced STY ERT) knows a thing or two about food ... and weight ... and unhealthy eating.

In fact, today's guest (#14) knows a LOT about being fat and out of shape. As it turns out, he also knows even more about being healthy and in shape.

Ever since discovering his passion - INGREDIENTS - Jon has lost fat, gained muscle, and educated himself on what he is putting into his body. Jon does not have a degree in nutrition or really anything related to food; however, I'd lean on him for anything related to ingredients and healthy eating. Dude gets it.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to talk ingredients?

• We chatted about how we met - power of social media!
• Jon shared how was pushing 300 pounds a few years ago - as well as how he lost 40 pounds previously ... then it came back.
• Jon talked about his mentor/guide/DOCTOR - Dr. Charlie Seltzer of Lean for Life
• We talk YET AGAIN about how I am recording some of these episodes outside.
• We had a ... discussion ... about The Food Babe (this is the Pumpkin Spiced Late article we discussed and this is the "Jenny McCarthy of Food" article I mentioned). I really like Jon's take on The Food Babe too.
• Jon shared an incredibly powerful story about his uncle.
• We talked about the best grocery store IN THE WORLD, Wegmans.
• Jon discussed a bit more about how he may someday LIVE his passion.

Social Guy for @Pet360 | #Project180 Dude | #Chipotle & #Wegmans Nut | 'You are the product. You; feeling something...is what sells.' - Don Draper. Find out more on Twitter.

• #Project180 - Jon's very open, very personal weight loss (get healthy) story.
• Pet360.com - where Jon works1
• Social Echoes Podcast: Episode 19 ... with me!
• Dr. Charlie - Lean for Life
• Wegmans!

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

(Lucky) Episode #13!!!!

It turns out today's guest, Mic Johnson, and I first chatted years ago ... when Google Hangout first launched. But we really know each other from my good buddy in Kansas City, Mo, Archie Kangethe.

As you will soon find out (once you hit "play"), Mic and I are #BrothersFromAnotherMother.

Other than his love for the Kansas Jayhawks and KC Chiefs (I'm a Michigan Wolverine and NY Giants fan), Mic and I are wired the same way. I love Mic and am certain you will love him too.

Oh, and Mic's passion? PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about people who are passionate?

• We discuss how we know each other - kinda a crazy story.
• Mic shares his passion - meta as it is - people who are passionate. What the heck? Listen, and learn!
• Mic says "awesome" and "passion" a lot. Bonus points for the first person to send me a message with the correct number!
• We talk about my new Meetup, Do What You Love | Love What You Do (if you are in the Bay Area, join us!)
• Mic shares how he uncovered his passion.
• Mic talks about the numerous (5x!) either him or his wife has been without a job during their marriage.

Blog Coach | LinkedIn Trainer | WordPress Web Site Guy | Rational Optimist | Jayhawk | Sushi Lover | MJMeetings Husband. Find out more on Twitter.

• MICOLOGY: A Personal Journey To Life And Career Happiness
• I Have A Passion For People That Have Passion
• February 6, 1995: The Day That Changed My Life Forever…By Mic Johnson
• Mic on Twitter

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Today's guest (Episode #12), Ethan Beute, loves coffee.

Ethan also loves (good) beer. Ethan also loves people. BONUS: Ethan is also a University of Michigan alum. GO BLUE.

Hmmm. I love coffee, beer, and people (see my Twitter bio). In fact, I've had coffee and (good) beer with Ethan a few times in person. We've also chatted on the phone, via Facebook messenger, and through video.

I was THRILLED when Ethan agreed to be my guest on Living Your Passion. I was even more excited when he told me his passion: CONNECTING WITH NATURE.

Personally, I love nature (who doesn't?), but Ethan really dives into why connecting with nature is so important.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page. Are you ready to talk NATURE?

• We discuss ... Beer. Coffee. People.
• We talk about the importance of connecting with nature (of course).
• Ethan shares why he does not belong to a gym - nor will he ever.
• We chat about the soothing nature of, well, nature.
• Ethan shares his "other" passions.
• Ethan gives his (really good) advice about how to find, then live, your passion.

Marketing, branding, & content guy. CMO at @BombBomb. Husband & father. BA: @UMich. MBA: @UCCS. Excitable & generally curious. Fresh air & clean water. Find out more on Twitter.

• Ethan's blog (not sure we talked about this, but it's good!)
• Ethan on Instagram - some great pics here!
• 5,000+ pictures Ethan shares on Flickr
• Ethan on Twitter

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

EPISODE #11 features Brian Fanzo, a dude I met on a (docked) aircraft carrier in San Diego in early 2014.

Brian and I have about a zillion mutual connections (or 50).

Brian's passion is CHANGE.

Teaching CHANGE.

Embracing CHANGE.

CHANGE. CHANGE. CHANGE.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to talk CHANGE?

• Brian and I dig into how we first met ... on a boat.
• Brian shares how he uncovered his passion for change.
• Brian answers the question, "Are people afraid of change" in a way I didn't expect.
• Brian talks about "Do What You Love | Love What You Do"
• We talk about "GO BIG OR GO HOME."

I Talk Fast & Tweet Faster | Leading change in #SocBiz, #Tech, Social Media Business & #EmployeeAdvocacy | Chief Digital Strategist @Broadsuite #SocBiz25 #TChat Find out more on Twitter.

• 90DaysToEllen
• Tim McDonald's Living Your Passion episode
• Do What You Love | Love What You Do Ugmonk t-shirt
• Brian on Twitter.
• Millennial CEO
• iSocialFanz

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

BACON! BACON! BACON!

I mean, who doesn't like bacon? Besides folks who don't eat it for religious reasons and those who are vegan/vegetarian - though I bet some vegetarians make an exception for bacon.

In today's episode, #10, I chat with Heather Lauer, about her passion: BACON. I read two magazines cover to cover. Wired (thanks Dad!) and The Costco Connection. Before you laugh about the 2nd one, it's a really good magazine. I mean, really good. Well-written. Interesting.

But anyway ... I learned about Heather - and her passion for bacon - thanks to an article in a recent edition of The Costco Connection.

WARNING: DO LOT LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU ARE HUNGRY!

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page. Are you ready to talk BACON?

• How and why she decided to start a blog ... about bacon - well before the national bacon craze started.
• Bacon Nation (similar to John Lee Duma's Fire Nation).
• The new restaurant in the Bay Area who only serves bacon.
• How much she loves bacon, though it was never really her passion until the blog started.
• Healthy eating. I know. I know. But we did!
• Heather's childhood memory of bacon.
• Her book ... about bacon (of course) - Bacon, A Love Story: A Salty Survey of Everyone's Favorite Meat
• Amazon book reviews (and Twilight)
• Some sage advice about finding your passion/li>

Bacon is the Best Meat Ever! I've been a bacon eater since the 1970s, bacon blogger since 2005, and I'm the author of Bacon: A Love Story (HarperCollins 2009). Find out more on Twitter or on her blog.

• The Costco Connection ... part about Bacon.
• Heather's blog, Bacon Unwrapped
• Instagram
• Bacon, A Love Story: A Salty Survey of Everyone's Favorite Meat - Heather's book
• Heather on Twitter
• Heather / Bacon Unwrapped on Facebook

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Episode #9! One episode away from double digits. Crazy, I know.

Currently living in Madrid, Spain ... by way of Romania (of course), Corina Manea is my first international guest on Living Your Passion. And, as you can imagine, she set the bar high for future non-US-based guests!

Corina has a few passions - PR, communication, and getting in shape.

And while I love that picture of Corina (from Facebook), I also really love this one from Twitter. I was torn!

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to hear a killer accent and learn about PR, communication, and getting in shape?

• You get to listen to Corina's amazing accent for 20+ minutes.
• Corina shares what she wanted to do since high school (quite different then my goal of playing for the Kansas City Royals!).
• Corina discusses her reasoning behind her move from Romania to Spain.
• Corina talks about how her commitment to fitness has led to happiness.
• I say "I have the chills" for literally the 4th time in 9 episodes. What's WRONG with me?
• We talk about about drugs, briefly ... and P90X (not related).
• Corina shares some SOLID advice about how to find your passion.

Passionate about #PR, #SocialMedia and #CustomerService. Writting about it on http://nutspr.com . Contributor @EverythingPR. Find out more on Twitter.

• Corina on Twitter
• Corina on NutsPR

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

8 episodes in and already I have my 2nd "McDonald" on the podcast.

Today's guest, Loren McDonald, is not related to Tim McDonald (guest #3) is the VP of Industry Relations at Silverpop and can often be found preaching the benefits of email marketing as well as social media and location-based marketing. However, while that's his job - and one he's quite good at - Loren's passion is not what he gets paid to do.

Loren's passion is about all things green. More specifically, Loren is passionate about being a change agent and getting people other than tree huggers to "see the light." Loren believes strongly in the need to move away from fossils fuels, supports electric vehicles, and is an advocate for solar power.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN?

• Loren shared his passion for alternative energy, solar energy, wind energy, electric vehicles, reducing our use of water, getting restaurants to stop using styrofoam and plastic cups, and more!
• We talked about Loren's 1994 rejection letter from U.S. Electricar (awesome).
• Loren shares a story about when he was 19 ... and his brief stint in politics. This, coincidentally, may have been his first foray into "green."
• Loren forgot to turn off the audio on his alerts (ding!)
• We talked about Chevy Volts, Teslas, and other EVs!
• We had a few audio issues - SORRY!

Tweet on email marketing, retail/ecommerce, mobile, social, marketing automation; VP/evangelist for @Silverpop Find out more on Twitter.

1. Loren's March 15, 1994 rejection letter from U.S. Electricar
2. Loren's GREEN site/blog - Loren-Green <-- a MUST read! (note: still a work-in-progress)
3. The just launched Loren-Green Facebook page
4. Bifurcate and Trifurcate <-- it is a word!

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Julie Neumark. Episode #7. Boom.

When I first asked Julie to be on the podcast, I thought her passion was going to be music. It turns out, her passion is much broader than just music. In fact, music and songwriting/song performing is just a small part of her passion.

Julie's "not-so-sexy" (her words) PASSION, in one word: COMMUNICATION.

When I asked Julie to expand on her passion, she said she loves "connecting people through communication."

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Oh, and one more thing. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that picture on the right. It was taken moments after Julie got married to her partner, Holly. Julie confessed that, like both past #LYPPodcast guest Chris Rosati and I, she married up!

One more (more) thing. I could not pick my favorite Julie picture. Here are two more I really liked - her Facebook profile picture and an oldie, but a goodie.

• Julie shares how she started speaking at very very young age.
• Julie talks about being a communicator since she was a young girl.
• Julie shared her background on theater and music writing / producing / performing.
• We talk about why the sound quality of this episode is so kick ass.
• We discussed all the ways Julie communicates as well as her favorite form of communication.
• I drank a beer.
• We have a freaking really good time!

Content Strategist, Social Media Marketeer, Brand Storytelling Believer, Songwriting Addict, Wine Enthusiast, Avid Laugher. Find out more on Twitter.

1. Email or E-mail - Julie "songed me."
2. Song: "Nobody Wants to Get [Email] Blasted" - Julie's Marketo blog post post
3. Gotta Get Lead Generation [Music Video] - first ever original video around email marketing (I think). And if you want to see my do a leapfrog, fast-forward to 2:51.
4. Why It’s OKAY To Say (& Write) The Word Vagina
5. The Vagina Song - a Julie Neumark original
6. Simon Sinek's TED Talk - Finding Your Why
7. Julie's personal (song) site.
8. Julie's Tumblr site.

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

I once beat today's guest in a footrace outside of Tyler's Taproom in Durham, NC. Shortly after said race (which I won, of course), I pulled my hamstring.

That guy, and today's Episode #6 guest, is Mr. Chris Rosati.

Chris's PASSION is simple: Making people smile. However, as you'll hear once you hit the play button, his passion is deeper than just smiles. Chris wants to help make the world a better place by facilitating acts of kindness.

And boy is he doing both. I dare you to not smile while listening to this - the longest episode in the (short) history of Living Your Passion. Chris oozes passion. And, as you'll hear, at age 43, he's figured out a way to turn his passion into something that will positively impact millions of human beings.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to get INSPIRED?

• Chris shares about what makes him awesome (hint: not what you'd expect).
• Chris talks about how much time he has left to live - and how this lead him to uncover his passion.
• Chris tells us why we need to NOT WAIT.
• We sling arounds compliments and insults (in good fun, of course).
• Chris shares his take on #IceBucketChallenge - the best, yes the BEST take I've heard on this topic.
• I do a better job talking less and listening more - ha!

Father, husband, friend. founder of Inspire MEdia. Making the most of every day and trying to make a difference. Find out more on Twitter.

1. Chris on CBS This Morning (Feb '14)
2. Chris on CBS News (Aug '14) - MUST read article and MUST see video
3. Inspire MEdia Network - Chris's non-profit
4. Inspire MEdia Network on Facebook

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious