Raff's Brain

Riffin' with Raff is the interview steam of Raff's Brain podcast.

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
www.RaffsBrain.com

Call the Raff's Brain Hotline!
Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question!
571-408-8058

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SUMMARY:
In this episode of Raff’s Brain under the segment Riffing with Raff, Rob Raffety sits down with one of his oldest friends, Cody Hollen, for a nostalgic and casual conversation at a local brewery in their hometown of Buckhannon, West Virginia. They reminisce about childhood memories, including building a robot, and discuss Cody’s passion for cycling. Cody shares details about his intense 52-mile bike ride with over 4,495 feet of elevation gain, reflecting on how his father's passing motivated him to take on physical challenges like this. Amidst the background sounds of a motorcycle and town life, the two friends chat about the evolution of their hometown, cycling technology, and Cody's plans to start his own podcast. The conversation strikes a balance between humor, sentimentality, and the joy of reconnecting with old friends.

OUTLINE:
Introduction:
- Rob introduces the podcast Raff’s Brain and the segment Riffing with Raff.
- Location: Stone Tower Brews in Buckhannon, West Virginia.
- Nostalgic background noises of a motorcycle passing by.

Reconnecting with Cody Hollen:
- Rob’s friendship with Cody, dating back to 1983.
- Memories of childhood, including building a robot with a tape recorder that played Michael Jackson.

Cody's Recent Bike Ride:
- Cody’s recent 52-mile bike ride with 4,495 feet elevation gain.
- Description of the challenging route, starting from Cody’s house.
- Rob’s humorous reaction to the stats of the ride.

Cody’s Journey into Cycling:
- Cody explains how he got into cycling as an alternative to running due to shin splints and knee pain.
- His preference for exploring routes and staying off the main roads.

Motivation Behind the Ride:
- Cody’s motivation for cycling, inspired by his father's passing in 2016.
- How cycling helps him cope and honor his father’s memory.

Details of the Ride:
- Breakdown of the route: mix of gravel and pavement roads.
- The physical toll of cycling long distances and the importance of preparation.

Reflections on the Evolution of Their Hometown:
- Rob and Cody talk about the growth of their small town and how traffic has increased over the years.

Technical Aspects of Cycling:
- Discussion of bike technology, types of bikes (gravel vs. mountain), and gear systems.

Emotional Reflection on Friendship:
- Cody recounts a falling out with a friend who now does the ride without him, causing emotional strain.
- Cody's reflection on doing the ride again as a way to reclaim it.

Plans for the Future:
- Cody’s podcast idea: a Seinfeld-inspired “podcast about nothing.”
- Potential collaboration between Rob and Cody on future episodes.

Conclusion:
- Rob wraps up the episode, teasing the possibility of getting into mountain biking himself.
- Acknowledgment of the "10s of listeners" and appreciation for the audience.

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's problem: distractions!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's problem: distractions!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
www.RaffsBrain.com

Call the Raff's Brain Hotline!
Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question!
571-408-8058

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Introduction and Overview of the Meeting

• Speaker 1: Kasey Shriner
  • Introduction as Leadership Development Director for America's Future.
  • Overview of monthly webinars and quarterly socials aimed at young professionals.
  • Expresses enthusiasm for LinkedIn’s authenticity compared to other social media platforms.
  • Introduces Rob Raffety, LinkedIn expert extraordinaire.

Rob Raffety's Introduction and Meeting Agenda

• Rob's Background
  • Thanks Kasey and America's Future for the opportunity to speak.
  • Shares career history, including time with the Mercatus Center and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Briefly outlines the plan for the session:
    • His journey with LinkedIn.
    • Key takeaways and tips for LinkedIn use.
    • Inspiring participants to take LinkedIn action.

Rob's LinkedIn Journey and Current Role

• Early LinkedIn activity: Joined in 2008 but first posted in 2021.
• Current role as Director of Internal Communications at Stand Together.
• First LinkedIn post in January 2022 about building an internal communications capability.
• Highlights LinkedIn as a powerful tool for connecting with employees and aligning them with the organization’s vision.

Rob's LinkedIn Strategy and Key Takeaways

• Intentional LinkedIn Use
  • Explains how LinkedIn complements internal communication tools (emails, all-staff events).
  • LinkedIn lowers engagement barriers compared to other platforms.
• Key Takeaways
  • Plan your LinkedIn activity.
  • Create value for your audience.
  • Focus on getting social and engaging with others.
  • Tip: Document processes instead of focusing solely on original content.
  • Encourage testing and learning from posts.

Q&A Session: Engagement Strategies and Future of LinkedIn

• Growing Engagement
  • Answering participant questions on how to grow LinkedIn engagement.
  • Suggests people trust individuals over brands—highlighting the importance of showcasing personal stories.
  • Tips from ChatGPT: Use polls, surveys, and collaborate with others to enhance engagement.
  • Discusses LinkedIn's potential future changes and staying adaptable.

Building Personal Brand and Networking on LinkedIn

• Personal Branding Strategies
  • Leveraging university alumni networks and joining LinkedIn groups.
  • Rob emphasizes genuine and appreciative networking interactions.
  • Kasey suggests engaging in discussions about others’ work to build relationships.
  • Encouragement to find like-minded people and build a strong professional network.

Advanced LinkedIn Tips and Final Thoughts

• Profile Tips
  • Formatting LinkedIn profiles: Custom banner, listing all work experiences.
  • Discussion on hashtags and LinkedIn Premium features.
  • Rob shares his experience with using LinkedIn Premium for targeted messaging.
  • Advice on using LinkedIn with intentionality for achieving career goals.

Closing Remarks and Next Steps

• Rob and Kasey express appreciation for the participants' engagement.
• Rob takes a selfie with the group and promises to post it on LinkedIn.
• Kasey encourages participants to connect on LinkedIn and attend future events.
• Meeting ends with a focus on continuous learning and the importance of LinkedIn as a networking tool.

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's problem: grasshopper!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
www.RaffsBrain.com

Call the Raff's Brain Hotline!
Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question!
571-408-8058

==

SUMMARY: 

The inaugural episode of Riffin' with Raff - a project of the Raff's Brain podcast!

Rob Raffety interviews his friend and former colleague Hoa Phan, reflecting on their 12-year friendship that began in 2012. Hoa shares his experience of immigrating to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 10 in 1999, initially not speaking English. He recounts his entrepreneurial venture in elementary school, where he sold wholesale candy from Costco, making a 100% markup. Despite being caught selling during class, he continued selling before and after school. Hoa highlights America's opportunities and the ease of starting businesses, despite regulatory challenges. Rob appreciates Hoa's customer service skills and entrepreneurial spirit, noting his influence on Rob's fashion sense and their shared experiences in Vietnamese restaurants.

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OUTLINE:

I. Meeting and Initial Impressions
 A. Rob introduces Hoa as his first ever special guest
 B. Hoa recalls meeting Rob in 2012 as an intern
 C. Rob appreciates Hoa's attentiveness and customer service mentality
 D. Shared experiences like going to restaurants and shopping

II. Hoa's Entrepreneurial Spirit
 A. Rob highlights Hoa's fashion sense and entrepreneurial ventures
 B. Hoa's story of immigrating to the US as a 10-year-old not knowing English

III. Adjusting to American Life
 A. Hoa's initial impressions of the vastness and cultural differences in America
 B. Discovering American candy and the differences in preferences
 C. Hoa's entrepreneurial venture of buying and reselling candy at school

IV. Challenges and Lessons Learned
 A. Hoa's getting caught selling candy during class
 B. Adjusting his business to only sell before and after school
 C. Reflecting on the importance of seizing opportunities in America

V. Reflections on Entrepreneurship and America
 A. Hoa's belief in America's opportunities for entrepreneurship
 B. Acknowledging the challenges small businesses face
 C. Importance of creating value and making people happy

VI. Conclusion
 A. Rob expresses gratitude for their friendship
 B. Plan to do another interview episode in the future

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's episode is part 3 of 3 recorded after practicing in the OBX!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

www.RaffsBrain.com

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's episode is part 2 of 3 recorded after practicing in the OBX!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

www.RaffsBrain.com

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
www.RaffsBrain.com

Call the Raff's Brain Hotline!
Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question!
571-408-8058

Today's show was recored on a walk in Duck, North Carolina - the OBX!

Some rambling thoughts on my drive back from the hot yoga studio. Today's episode is part 1 of 3 recorded after practicing in the OBX!

Hot Yoga Problems is a part of Raff's Brain. 

www.RaffsBrain.com