RecLess Podcast

Michael Biedenstein - Membership Engagement Manager for National Recreation Parks Association.

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[1:30] Childhood Memories and Birthdays: The group reminisces about birthdays and how special they can be. The conversation then shifts to personal birthday experiences, including some not-so-great memories. [8:07] Introduction to the Guest: The hosts introduce Michael and discuss their close bond with him, especially through annual conferences. They touch upon their shared love for soccer and craft beer.[19:45] Memorable NRPA Conference Experiences: Michael recalls the NRPA Conference in Las Vegas. He shares the story of meeting some of his closest colleagues at that time and how those relationships have grown over the years.[27:30] Transitioning from Practitioner to NRPA Staff: Michael discusses his transition from working directly in parks and recreation to taking a job working in professional association management with NRPA. He explains how the opportunity came, the process, and his co-worker Hayley Herzing. [37:00] Tales from the Road: Michael shares unique experiences from different state conferences he has attended. He highlights the adaptability and resilience of Parks and Rec professionals, especially during unexpected situations. [41:10] Upcoming State Conferences: Michael expresses his excitement about attending upcoming conferences in Georgia and California. He discusses the value of these conferences and the opportunities they offer for networking and professional growth. [41:51] Career Development Boot Camp: A discussion about a session focused on career development. Michael emphasizes the importance of professional growth and how NRPA supports this. [43:05] Transition from Practitioner to Association: Michael reflects on his transition from being a practitioner to working for an association. He shares what he misses most about the direct service to the community. [54:00] The Woking Genius: The group discusses the Working Genius, where they fall within the model, and the importance of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. Michael emphasizes the need to recognize when one is working in areas of joy or frustration and how to navigate that. [1:17:00] Interview Reflections: Reflection on the interview, their relationship with Michael, and how great of a guest Michael was.

Ryan Hegreness - Deputy Executive Director South Suburban Parks District

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[09:29] Introduction of Ryan Hegreness: Ryan is introduced as a guest on the podcast, and the hosts express their anticipation for having him on the show.[11:00] Discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI): The conversation touches on AI, its potential impact, misinformation, and its practical uses in Parks and Recreation. Ryan shares insights on AI and its ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency in various scenarios.[21:53] Innovation and Innovative Teams: Ryan defines innovation, discusses the role of leaders in creating an environment for innovation, and expresses appreciation for past directors.[31:10] Marketing & Branding: Ryan shares his career path related to marketing and discusses the increase in park and recreation marketing roles. The panel discusses interesting park and recreation accounts to follow.[39:24] Career Progression and Relocation: Ryan discusses his willingness to relocate early in his career, his rationale for career choices, and lessons learned.[44:01] Population Served: Discussion on the different population sizes of the communities Ryan has served and the challenges and rewards associated with serving different community sizes.[51:17] Working Genius: Ryan recommends Patrick Lencioni's "Working Genius" model as a simple and accessible tool to understand strengths and frustrations--at work and personally.[1:02:28] Public Speaking and Self-Improvement: Ryan talks about his journey with public speaking, his challenges, and how he worked on improving himself. Ryan advises starting small, especially with a familiar group of people, and embracing discomfort as a part of growth.[1:04:58] Book Recommendations: Ryan shares several book recommendations for marketing and personal growth. He directs listeners to his newsletter and website for additional suggestions.[1:07:44] Interview Reflections: Reflection on the interview, Ryan's contributions, and his involvement in various activities.

Roslyn Johnson - Director of Parks and Recreation, Annapolis, MD

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[12:51] Introduction and Initial Greetings: Roslyn shares her excitement to be on the podcast and briefly discusses Monster stock and investment tips.[14:39] Comparing Experiences in Different Sized Agencies: Roslyn discusses her experiences working in agencies of different sizes, ranging from serving a population of 40,000 to 980,000, and shares insights on adapting to different environments.[20:35] Leadership Styles: Discussion on whether leadership styles change when transitioning from leading a large team to a smaller one, and how Roslyn approaches leadership.[28:32] Career Development and Networking: The hosts and Roslyn discuss the importance of networking and career development in the recreation and parks industry, mentioning a career development boot camp.[34:58] Handling Adversity: Roslyn shares her experiences working in areas with volatile political climates, including Baltimore, and how she navigated the challenges.[38:34] Moral Values and Support Networks: Roslyn emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral values in her role and the support network she relies on for guidance.[47:06] Working Genius: The hosts and Roslyn discuss a training program called "Working Genius" and its benefits in understanding work dynamics and personality traits.[50:08] Personality Assessments and Understanding Others: The conversation revolves around different personality assessments and the importance of understanding oneself and others in a work environment.[1:04:27] Conference Experiences and Closing Remarks: Roslyn shares her memorable experiences from various conferences and expresses her gratitude for being on the podcast, followed by closing remarks from the hosts.

Chris Bass - Director of Parks and Recreation Douglasville, Georgia

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[6:54] Introduction and TEDx College Park Experience: Chris shares his experience working on TEDx College Park. He also discusses the current projects in Douglasville.[9:45] Active Listening and Networking: Chris emphasizes the importance of active listening in the industry and how it has helped him grow professionally and personally. He shares his approach to networking, which involves understanding and building relationships with others.[18:55] Managing Multi-generational Teams: The discussion shifts to the challenges of managing multi-generational teams in parks and recreation. Chris shares his experiences and the changes he has observed over the last 10 years, including shifts in societal needs and technology.[40:24] Leadership and Accountability: Chris talks about his leadership style, which involves encouraging brainstorming and discussions without outright rejection of ideas. He shares how he navigates conversations to lead his team to the right conclusions.[41:12] Relationship with Elected Officials: The conversation moves to Chris's experiences working with elected officials, discussing the different dynamics before and after stepping into a director's role.[1:02:02] Closing Remarks: The hosts appreciate Chris's contributions to the field and encourage listeners to connect with him, especially during the upcoming conference in Dallas.[1:02:14] Chris's Journey and Achievements: The hosts reflect on Chris's journey in the profession, acknowledging his rapid growth and achievements, including being up for a prestigious award. [1:03:15] End of Podcast: The podcast concludes with the hosts thanking Chris and looking forward to future interactions.

Janet Bartnik - Deputy Director of Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[5:25] Introduction of Janet Bartnick: The hosts introduce Janet Bartnick, discussing her current role as the Deputy Director for Park and Recreation and Tourism for Prince William County.[6:17] Mentoring Experience: Janet shares her experiences with mentoring, including helping others and learning from the process herself. She mentions her informal mentoring relationships and the benefits derived from them.[9:38] Speaking at MRPA and Informal Mentorship: The conversation shifts to Janet's recent speaking engagement at the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association conference. They discuss her role as a keynote speaker and her influence as an informal mentor to many, including one of the hosts.[24:21] Education and Opportunities for Assistance: The discussion moves to the topic of education, focusing on the challenges faced by the recreation and leisure studies department and the opportunities available for assistance.[46:53] Advice for Professionals: Towards the end of the discussion, Janet offers advice for professionals in the field, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and being open to new experiences.[57:00] Work-Life Balance and Recent Move: Janet discusses her recent cross-country move, highlighting the importance of family as a motivating factor. She also shares her approach to maintaining a work-life balance, including spending time outdoors and trail running.[1:03:24] Closing Remarks: The podcast ends with the hosts expressing their appreciation for Janet's insights and the enjoyable conversation they had.

Chris Nunes - Chief Operating Officer for The Woodlands Township, TX

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[00:00] Introduction to the podcast and the hosts.[17:16] Discussion on mentorship and the role of mentors in shaping careers.[19:24] Changing the narrative on the recruitment and retention of staff, likening it to a recreation program.[34:08] Creating a culture of professionalism and developing relevant programs and services for the community.[34:38] Discussion on stepping into a new director role and dealing with imposter syndrome.[35:14] Overview of responsibilities in the new role, including handling transportation and covenant administration.[36:58] Reflection on the changing mindset and drive of young professionals today compared to the past.[40:00] Discussion on the challenges of speaking at conferences and the different formats that can be both beneficial and detrimental.[48:44] Emphasizing the importance of learning from failures and sharing personal experiences of failure to help others grow.[49:52] Sharing the mentor-mentee relationship with Chris and the value of having a mentor in the field.[52:11] The understanding that one cannot know everything and the continuous journey of learning.[56:51] Collaboration on writing an article and the excitement for its publication in the NRPA Conference Edition of Parks and Recreation Magazine.[57:37] Ending term in some committees and looking forward to having more time to be creative and address big questions in the profession.[58:09] Closing remarks and expressing anticipation for the upcoming content from Chris.

Katy Keller Director of Parks and Recreation Pittsboro, NC

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[14:13] Introduction of Katie Keller: The hosts introduce Katie Keller, mentioning her current role and joking about her tendency to be late. They also discuss a recent incident where Katie was asked to speak on time management, which they find amusing given her history of being late.[15:53] Working with Jay: Katie and Jay reminisce about the time they worked together, discussing Katie's habitual lateness and how it was a constant topic of conversation. They share light-hearted stories from their time working together.[17:53] Katie's Career Growth and Confidence: The discussion shifts to Katie's career growth and how she has developed confidence over time. They share a story about how Katie evolved from constantly asking questions to realizing she knew the answers and could handle things on her own.[29:20] Handling Board and Council Meetings: The conversation moves to the experiences of handling board and council meetings, especially when you are new and unprepared for certain questions. They discuss the learning curve involved and how they have built equity with their boards over time.[30:50] Training Boards Based on Work Style: They delve into the topic of training boards to work according to their work style rather than being dictated by the boards. Katie shares her experiences and learnings from observing others handle different scenarios gracefully with council members.[57:12] Closing Remarks: Towards the end, they express gratitude to Katie for being part of the episode and share their enjoyment of the conversation.