We've all been guilty of it—getting so deep into the weeds of economic development that we forget what our world looks like to an outsider. When was the last time you had to explain a PILOT, a TIF, or what a LEDO actually does to someone who wasn't already an industry veteran?

In this episode of Site Selectors Are People Too, host Devin Hillsdon-Smith sits down with Tianya Pinkham, the newly minted Vice President of Business Development at Hyphen Strategies. Coming from the high-stakes, fast-paced world of luxury auto sales, Tianya brings a fresh, Gen Z perspective to the often secretive and complex site selection industry. Together, they discuss what it’s like to navigate the steep learning curve of economic development, the immense power of a "learner's mentality," and why everything in life—from buying a car to a multi-million dollar corporate relocation—is ultimately about building relationships.

Devin and Tianya break down the transition from the dealership floor to the economic development table, focusing on four key takeaways for industry pros:

📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Remember: Stay curious, get to work, and let's have some fun!

#EconomicDevelopment #SiteSelection #SalesStrategy #NIMBYism #CareerTransition #EDO #CorporateRealEstate #Leadership

In a somber departure from our usual programming, host Devin Hilston-Smith addresses the immediate and staggering business fallout from Operation Epic Fury. With global markets reeling from the strikes in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the tragic loss of American lives, the landscape of global trade has fundamentally shifted overnight.

Moving beyond geopolitical commentary, Devin breaks down the conflict strictly through the lens of site selection, economic development, and corporate real estate. If your biggest worry last Friday was a minor interest rate fluctuation, today’s reality requires an entirely new playbook. We explore why "just-in-time" supply chains are officially dead, why continuity now trumps profit margin, and how economic developers must urgently rewrite their pitches for a world in chaos.

In This Episode, We Cover:

A Note from the Host: Our thoughts are with the families of those serving in the armed forces. If you know someone in uniform or being called up, please reach out and show your support. We are navigating a world in mourning and chaos, and empathy must come first.

#EconomicDevelopment #SupplyChainResilience #SiteSelection #BusinessContinuity #EDO #HyphenStrategies

"I’m trying to come up with a legitimate connection to the podcast... but maybe I just want to talk about my stuff!"

In this special technical breakdown, Devin peels back the curtain on the brand-new audio engine powering Season 3. After receiving feedback on previous audio quality, Devin invested in a professional-grade rig designed to strip away the "corporate distance" of tinny laptop mics and echoey boardrooms.

Whether you’re a podcast enthusiast, a corporate professional looking to up your remote-work game, or just curious about what goes into a high-end production, this episode is a roadmap for "humanizing" the digital voice.

The Gear Upgrade: Why Devin moved from a "compressor" mic to the Shure MV7X dynamic mic to reject office hum and background noise.

The Brain of the Operation: A look at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) mixer and why 48V "Phantom Power" is a dangerous button to press if you don't know what you're doing.

Managing the Guest Experience: How professional headphones (Sony MDR-7506) and recording separate tracks allow for a balanced, high-quality conversation, even when one person is much louder than the other.

The Pre-Flight Ritual: From 180-degree seating arrangements to the "Fist Rule" for mic distance, Devin shares the coaching tips he uses to get corporate professionals comfortable behind the mic.

Post-Production Secrets: A step-by-step breakdown of the "Four-Step Polish" in Audacity: Noise Reduction, Filter Curve EQ, Compression, and Normalization.

Mic: Shure MV7X

Mixer/Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Headphones: Sony MDR-7506

Software: Audacity (DAW)

Cables: XLR (because they make a massive difference!)

Connect with Hyphen Strategies:

Follow us on LinkedIn: Hyphen Strategies, LLC

How many highly confidential, multi-million dollar project calls have been derailed by a dog barking at a delivery driver?

In this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, we’re stepping away from the RFIs and real estate data to talk about the actual MVPs of our home offices: our pets. The economic development and site selection industry can be a grueling mix of isolated remote work and exhausting road-warrior travel. Today, we’re unpacking how our pets fit into that chaotic Venn diagram.

We discuss how the creatures living under our desks are often the only things forcing us to set boundaries, step away from the spreadsheets, and combat the enmeshment of our careers and our identities. Plus, we look at how the rise of pet ownership is fundamentally changing talent attraction and community marketing.

In this episode, we cover:

The WFH Boundary Enforcers: How our pets serve as natural circuit breakers for anxiety and overwork.

The Road Warrior Guilt & The "Pet Tax": The logistical, financial, and emotional toll of leaving our furry friends behind for a three-day FAM tour or site visit.

Pets as an ED Metric: Why pet-friendly amenities (from expansive trails to dog-friendly downtowns) are no longer just a "nice to have," but critical infrastructure for talent attraction and corporate real estate.

The Unprofessional Professionalism: Why a cat walking across a keyboard during a Zoom pitch actually humanizes this high-stakes industry.

We want to see the real co-workers behind your confidential projects! Drop a picture of your WFH pet setup on LinkedIn and tag Hyphen Strategies. Let's see who is really running these site searches.

Subscribe to Site Selectors Are People, Too wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review if you've ever had to mute your mic because of a squeaky toy.

ASPCA

Humane Society

Bark Box

KitNip Box

"I didn’t think this podcast was coming back—especially not like this."

After a year of significant professional and personal shifts, Devin Hillsdon-Smith returns for Season 3 of Site Selectors Are People, Too. This isn't just an industry update; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at the human behind the professional.

In this episode, Devin pulls back the curtain on a 2025 that was defined by "burnout, depression, anxiety, and an identity crisis." From the end of a major professional chapter at Cushman & Wakefield to navigating a difficult personal breakup, he shares the steps he took to climb out of "rock bottom" and eventually find the light at the top of the hole.

What we explore in this episode:

The Invisible Art of Professional Burnout: Recognizing the difference between productive stress and the chronic mismanagement of workplace pressure.

The Identity Crisis of "Enmeshment": What happens when who you are becomes indistinguishable from what you do for a living.

The Path to Recovery: A candid discussion on seeking professional help, therapy, and the role of medication in managing mental health.

Rising from the Ashes: The rebirth of Hyphen Strategies, the addition of a new VP of Business Development, and the power of a strong support network.

Whether you are in site selection, economic development, or any high-intensity field, this episode is a reminder that you aren't alone in the "vibration" of mental health issues. It’s okay to not be okay—and it’s even better to reach out.

Connect with Hyphen Strategies:

Follow us on LinkedIn: Hyphen Strategies LLC

Join our first Book Club pick: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Mental Health: Terms & Definitions Discussed

Burnout: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is strictly defined as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition. It is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.

Depression: As defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It is pervasive and impacts all areas of a person's life.

Anxiety: While normal anxiety is a temporary human emotion characterized by the anticipation of a future concern, an anxiety disorder crosses the line from a standard stress response into excessive, persistent, and intrusive fear or worry that disrupts daily functioning.

Identity Crisis (and "Enmeshment"): A term coined by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, describing a period of intense uncertainty and confusion about one's sense of self or role in society. In high-stakes careers, this often leads to "enmeshment"—where the boundary between who you are and what you do for a living completely dissolves.

Mental Health & Crisis Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling, you do not have to go through it alone. Please reach out to a professional or use the resources below:

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in the US and Canada).

Online Chat: 988lifeline.org

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1.

In this episode, Devin talks through a topic he's passionate about - activating your real estate for economic development purposes. A community's land is one of its most precious assets, and if you don't take control of its future then someone sure as heck will. We explore how to break down the steps to real estate activation through a simple process and bring some order to the chaos. So let's roll up our sleeves, get down and dirty, and discuss some actionable steps to tackling real estate in economic development.

Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):

• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.

In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Keith Gillenwater, the president & CEO of The Enterprise Group of Jackson in Michigan. We discuss what it's like as an economic developer to land in a new community and how to host a top tier familiarization (FAM) tour for site selectors.

Keith can be reached at:

[email protected]

(517) 788-4456

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.

In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Jonathan Sackett, head of marketing and communications at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.

How do economic development professionals market their communities? How do you create a compelling brand for a community? Tune in to find out and much, much more.

If you enjoyed this episode, you're in luck - this is Part 2 of 2 of a much larger conversation! Go check out Part 1 on The NEI Pioneer Podcast and follow them here: Podcast | Pioneer Starts Here

In this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin tackles work-life balance in a highly competitive environment. Let's take a look at some of the unique demands and challenges associated with each profession (site selection and economic development) and scratch the surface of some best practices and strategies for finding balance. Traveling too much? Expected to show up at too many community events? You're not alone.

Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):

Work/Life Balance Tips for Professionals:

• Forbes: Work-Life Balance Tips for Busy Professionals

Resources for Site Selectors and Economic Developers:

• Site Selectors Guild: Resources

Strategies for Managing Work/Life Balance:

• Mind Tools: Work-Life Balance Toolkit

Support Networks and Communities:

• LinkedIn Groups for Site Selectors

Mental Health and Well-being:

• National Institute of Mental Health: Stress Management

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.

In this second installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Matthew Marshall, manager of member services, rates & economic development for the Minnkota Power Cooperative in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Matthew can be reached at:

[email protected]

(701) 630-4658