To kick off 2025, our first podcast guest of the year is Hugh Roth. He is a fellow Pittsburgher and Penn Stater, who has accomplished so much in his personal and professional life.

He is currently, Senior Vice President at PepsiCo.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-roth-5037538/

We discuss his upbringing in Pittsburgh, his career trajectory through major companies like American Express and Coca-Cola, and his philosophy on leadership and kindness in the workplace.

Roth emphasizes the value of authenticity, team cohesion, and the importance of going the extra mile in both personal and professional contexts. He also reflects on the impact of family and mentors on his career.

Thank you to this episodes sponsor:

Merch Madness Group

They are a small business based in Southern California dedicated to providing CORPORATE GIFTING NEEDS with exceptional products, curated merch, and fulfillment services.

For those interesting in helping us to continue to provide zero cost content for you, sponsorship inquires can be submitted here: https://www.bartaberkey.com/sponsorship

Major learnings from today's podcast that you can apply:

Hugh shared his upbringing in a hardworking environment, his father's entrepreneurial spirit, and the impact of experiencing both wealth and bankruptcy. These experiences taught him the value of grit, agility, and learning from mistakes, shaping his approach to leadership and life.

2. Team-Oriented Leadership and Empathy

Hugh emphasized the significance of teamwork and helping people reach their potential. He highlighted the importance of understanding individuals’ goals and aspirations—both personally and professionally—to foster a culture of empathy and collaboration.

3. Adaptability in Career Choices

Hugh discussed his decision to transition from hospitality operations to supplier roles to prioritize work-life balance and family. This pivot demonstrates the need for adaptability and aligning career paths with personal values and priorities.

4. The Power of Going the Extra Mile

Hugh stressed that successful people and leaders consistently "go the extra mile," whether through making an additional sales call, writing a handwritten note, or showing unexpected kindness. This principle applies both personally and professionally.

5. Authenticity and Kindness in Leadership

Hugh believes in the value of being genuine and caring. He underscored the importance of authentic leadership that focuses on connecting with others, listening to their needs, and making decisions that positively impact them. He linked this approach to the evolving expectations in hospitality and sales, advocating for “real people serving real people.”

Today's guest is Mike Schugt, currently the President of Teneo Hospitality Group, who shares his career journey in the hospitality industry. Soon he will putting forth all of his efforts and energy toward his new venture, "Inn-Clusivity".

Their mission is to empower special needs adults and their families by opening doors to transformative opportunities and meaningful employment in the hotel industry. It is a brilliant idea to help others find purpose and passion within new opportunities.

Imagine empowering special needs adults to become UNSTOPPABLE! He is "seeing" the need to help so many that may be UNSEEN for job opportunities.

We learn very quickly of so many commonalities between the both of us; Pittsburghers and Penn Staters.

Mike discusses his early aspiration to be a hockey player, his shift to hospitality spurred by an affinity for the dynamic nature of the industry, and his ascent to leadership roles including his current presidency at Teneo.

We discuss:

-the importance of self-leadership, authenticity, competitiveness, relationship-building in sales and leadership, and the value of serving others.

-Mike's initiative, 'Inclusivity,' which aims to provide employment opportunities for special needs adults.

-Lessons from Mike's story emphasize resilience, hard work, self-care, and the transformative impact of kindness and inclusivity in both personal growth and business success.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-schugt/

More about: https://teneohg.com/

It's not easy to ASK TOUGH QUESTIONS. It's even harder sometimes to HEAR THE ROUGH ANSWERS. This is what today's guest does so well. She gets to the essence of the problem for her clients and then delivers solutions in a way that is direct, yet empathetic, so they embrace the change.

Elizabeth shares her journey from studying political science and considering a legal career to becoming a prominent consultant for associations.

Our discussion delves into the challenges and strategies within the association industry, including membership management, revenue generation, and non-traditional fundraising methods. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of practical solutions, critical thinking, and asking tough questions to drive meaningful change.

We conclude the conversation with a focus on the essential role of associations and the continuous need to adapt and innovate in response to evolving environments. Lessons we all can apply, regardless of our industry.

A very powerful conversation.

More about Elizabeth and her company here:

https://www.getmespark.com/

More about "Most People Don't" and other episodes here:

https://www.bartaberkey.com/

Today's podcast guest is Timm Chiusano. A person I've been following, liking, and sharing on social media with almost every single one of his posts. Wise beyond his years yet humble beyond his skill, he vulnerably speaks on how to navigate careers and life.

By pulling from over 20 years experience in Corporate America that includes 11 in an executive capacity at a Fortune 100, and a creative mind that makes him your favorite TikToker's favorite TikToker, Timm is changing how mentorship can be shared.

His wisdom is vast and his ability to express himself is visionary.

Follow him and learn:

LinkedIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/complexbusinessproblemsolver/

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@timmchiusano

More about us:

https://mostpeopledont.com

@bartberkey

Today's live podcast guest is Giovanna Ventola. She is the founder of Rhize, a free online community that provides comprehensive career support to job seekers.

After being laid off three times in three years, she realized that being out of a job, doesn't mean that you need to give up. A few posts on TikTok, sharing her struggles and frustrations, quickly gained a following thus leading to the creation of Rhize with thousands of members.

During the pandemic, I shared an online presentation called "You Can Do Anything For a Year". The response was overwhelming as it offered HOPE for those that were losing their jobs.

The importance of having resources and a community is massive. Thank goodness for people like Giovanna and her creation of Rhize to help those that are seeking new opportunities.

Through curated resources, shared experiences, and consistent community engagement, Rhize guides individuals through the ever-evolving job landscape.

Giovanna has a wealth of knowledge and unique insights on topics such as unemployment, career, and the crazy job market. Rhize with all of it's resources is FREE.

https://rhizetogether.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@giovanna.ventola

https://mostpeopledont.com

I just happened to be presenting on KINDNESS in Memphis when I hear that Celia Imrie was in the same location on her book tour of "Meet Me at Rainbow Corner". She graciously accepted my offer for a quick interview and was simply delightful.

Although she politely disputed the name of my company by sensing that "Many People DO!", we had a lovely discussion about KINDNESS, ambition, and "doing". Her best-selling books seem to have a theme of empathy and being nice, which she attributes to her personal philosophy.

Celia is best known for her film roles, including the Bridget Jones film series, Nanny McPhee, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and the Netflix series The Diplomat.

This interview was live from the Peabody Memphis hotel

Celia highlights the importance of continuous effort and optimism, sharing her experiences of receiving warmth and hospitality while traveling across America. The conversation also touches on the significance of kindness, how it influences her writing, and the impact of wartime struggles on human relationships.

More information on her books here:

http://bit.ly/410fB8N

More information on IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408309/

To listen to additional podcasts on people that "do":

https://bartaberkey.com/podcast

Today's podcast guest is Allison (Sitch) O'Connor, truly one of the best communicators on the planet, let alone in the travel world. In addition to being a dear friend from our time together at Ritz-Carlton, she now serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for the U.S. Travel Association.

During this conversation, she is shares the inspiration behind her drive and her successes. She is hardworking, cares deeply, and Imagine grating cheese able to articulate elements of "doing" beyond compare with her careful selection of words and the way she describes her experiences.

The discussion also delves into the impact of travel on personal growth, the importance of human connection, and the benefits travel brings to society. Lessons from Allison's story emphasize overcoming fear through perseverance, embracing new opportunities, and valuing travel's role in fostering understanding and reducing fear.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-sitch-oconnor-1391697/

More about U.S. Travel Association: https://www.ustravel.org/

More about Most People Don't and Bart Berkey:

https://mostpeopledont.com

Blake and Morgan Hill are influencers that are living out their dreams of being full time content creators who will soon be traveling the country in an RV adventure.

This episode comes naturally from Blake's discussion with our internship team that provided such rich, valuable lessons we simply had to share on our platform. Thank you to Miranda, Ivy, and Harinder for some excellent questions.

Imagine taking the leap to travel with your wife full time, enjoy luxury experiences, dine in world renown restaurants, and then "having" to capture it all on video and photos (for a job)!

He shares his inspiring journey from having a criminal justice degree to working in construction and eventually starting a drone business. His wife Morgan, a former sports reporter, transitioned to being a full-time influencer and social media marketer. Together, they have leveraged their skills and passions to create content for brands across different platforms, making their dream of traveling the country in an RV a reality.

Blake emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being authentic, and working with brands that align with their values. He also offers practical advice on content creation, the use of social media, and the importance of perseverance.

Morgan and Blake Hill:

https://www.instagram.com/moreewithmo/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/blakehilldrones/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@moreewithmo

Bart Berkey:

https://www.instagram.com/bartberkey/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@bart.berkey

Terri Fisher-Berkey:

https://www.instagram.com/food.haul/?hl=en

Minou Clark was formerly the VP of Paris Hilton's 11:11 Media. She is one of the most authentic and self-aware leaders that has been on this podcast. We discuss the "icks" of leadership and how to avoid them, and why she remains "herself" in running a flat organization.

Minou’s story conveys vital lessons on maintaining humility, fostering trust within teams, and encouraging employees by creating a supportive and transparent environment.

More about Most People Don't: https://bartaberkey.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/minouclark

Minou Clark, the newly appointed CEO of https://realself.com RealSelf, is a bold and visionary leader recognized for revolutionizing digital media businesses. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of pop culture and innovation, Minou has earned a reputation for driving exponential audience growth and crafting breakthrough revenue strategies for global brands and Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Meta, Amazon, Taco Bell, and L’Oréal.

Minou’s expertise lies in fusing trends from internet culture with data-driven insights, consistently delivering transformative business results. As Senior Vice President at Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media, she fueled explosive 70% audience growth across the digital empire, generating over 1 billion video views in 2023 alone. Known for her intellectual honesty and fearless decision-making, she is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Her award-winning leadership has earned her industry-wide recognition, including being named one of AdWeek’s Top 50 Business Leaders (2023) and accolades like Ad Age’s Social Campaign of the Year (2024) and Cannes Lions Finalist for Excellence in Brand Experience & Social Content Marketing (2023).

What does it take to be named ASTA's Travel Advisor of the Year? Reputation, values, and creativity all helped Velia Kennedy, the founder of Modern Family Travel, earn this recognition.

When I met her at a KINDNESS CONFERENCE, I was drawn into her authentic being. Not pretentious, not fancy, but extremely real.

She shares her evolution from pursuing early childhood education to selling engineering software, and eventually establishing her own travel agency. Despite exceling in corporate sales, Velia felt unfulfilled and pivoted towards her passion for travel, focusing on creating meaningful family experiences.

Our discussion emphasizes the value of authenticity, compassion, and personal fulfillment. Velia's journey underscores the importance of aligning one's career with personal values, being open to new opportunities, and stepping out of comfort zones.

Her story, encapsulated by winning the 2024 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year award, highlights the impact of authenticity in business and the importance of taking chances to find true satisfaction. Lessons to overcome fear include exploring varied career possibilities, prioritizing personal fulfillment over societal expectations, and the transformative power of kindness and authenticity in building a successful business.

More about Velia and her agency here: https://www.modernfamilytravelllc.com/

More about Most People Don't:

https://mostpeopledont.com

Contact Bart if you have an idea for another amazing guest to contribute to this AWARD WINNING, TOP 2% IN THE WORLD PODCAST.

[email protected]