Smart Start Radio: Fuel for the Purpose Generation of Meeting Planners

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, host Eming Piansay sits down with Yush Sztalkoper, founder of NeuroSpark+, to explore how neurodiversity can reshape the way meetings and events are designed.

Drawing on nearly two decades in the events industry and her personal journey following an ADHD diagnosis, Yush reframes neurodivergence not as a limitation, but as a powerful lens for understanding human energy, behavior and connection. Together, Eming and Yush unpack how sound, lighting, pace, navigation and choice can either drain or energize attendees and event professionals alike.

The conversation moves beyond theory into practical application, offering planners tangible ways to design more inclusive, grounding experiences that support diverse nervous systems without sacrificing creativity or impact. Yush also shares simple, in-the-moment tools attendees can use to regulate stress and stay present in high-stimulation environments.

At its core, the episode makes the case that designing for neurodivergence is not just about inclusion. It is a competitive advantage that leads to better experiences, healthier teams and events that leave people energized instead of exhausted.

Show Notes: 

Episode: Neurodiversity: The Missing Link in Event Design
Season/Episode: Season 3, Episode 26
Length: 50:12
Host: Eming Piansay
Guest: Yush Sztalkoper (Founder, NeuroSpark+)
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316002/episodes/18503691

Episode summary

In this episode of Smart Start Radio, host Eming Piansay sits down with Yush Sztalkoper, founder of NeuroSpark+, to explore how neurodiversity can transform the way meetings and events are designed.

Drawing on nearly two decades in the events industry—and her personal journey following an ADHD diagnosis—Yush reframes neurodivergence not as a limitation, but as a powerful lens for understanding human energy, behavior and connection. Together, Eming and Yush unpack how sound, lighting, pace, navigation and choice can either drain or energize attendees and event professionals alike. The conversation moves beyond theory into practical application, offering planners tangible ways to design more inclusive, grounding experiences that support diverse nervous systems without sacrificing creativity or impact. Yush also shares simple, in-the-moment tools attendees can use to regulate stress and stay present in high-stimulation environments.

At its core, the episode makes the case that designing for neurodivergence isn’t just about inclusion—it’s a competitive advantage that leads to better experiences, healthier teams and events that leave people energized instead of exhausted.

Why this matters for meeting pros

Neuro-inclusive design is universal design in action: when you plan for attendees who are most sensitive to overstimulation, you often improve the experience for everyone. This episode offers a practical lens planners can apply immediately—asking whether an environment energizes or drains, and building in navigation clarity and real choices that help people regulate on-site.

Guest

Yush Sztalkoper — Founder, NeuroSpark+
Yush is a longtime events professional and neurodiversity advocate helping teams design experiences that support diverse nervous systems.

Links & resources

• NeuroSpark+: https://neurosparkplus.com
• Connect with Yush Sztalkoper on LinkedIn (search: “Yush Sztalkoper”)

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, host Eming Piansay steps into the world of Event Rap, the creative powerhouse blending hip hop, storytelling and live performance to transform how audiences experience conferences. Founder Baba Brinkman breaks down how his background in literature and “peer-reviewed rap” evolved into a full-scale service that turns keynote themes into high-energy musical moments. From custom anthems to rapid-fire “rap-up” recaps, he explains why hip hop is the ideal medium for engagement, clarity and connection.

Eming then sits down with Grammy-nominated artist Mega Ran, the headline performer who brought Event Rap’s signature style to the Emergency Nurses Association conference in New Orleans. He shares his process of how he listens, takes notes, shapes hooks everyone can sing and delivers performances that resonate with audiences who may not think of themselves as hip hop fans.

And yes — this episode marks the debut of Smart Start Radio’s brand-new theme song, created exclusively by Event Rap and performed by artist Jam Young. You can explore his full bio and work at eventrap.com/artist/jam-young. The new track is bold, original and signals a fresh era for the show. The full song plays at the end of the episode, so stay to the very last beat.

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Show Notes: 

Episode: The Art of Event Rap: Turning Keynotes Into Music That Resonates
Season/Episode: Season 2, Episode 25
Length: 1:06:53
Host: Eming Piansay
Guests: Baba Brinkman (Founder, Event Rap); Mega Ran (Grammy-nominated artist)
Listen: https://www.smartmeetings.com/podcasts/smart-start-radio-the-art-of-event-rap-turning-keynotes-into-music-that-resonates

Episode summary

In this episode of Smart Start Radio, host Eming Piansay explores a high-energy format that’s redefining audience engagement: Event Rap—a blend of hip hop, storytelling and live performance that transforms keynote themes into music people actually remember.

First, Eming speaks with Baba Brinkman, founder of Event Rap, about how his background in literature and “peer-reviewed rap” evolved into a service model for conferences, turning complex ideas into clear, memorable verses through freestyles, custom anthems, and rapid-turnaround “rap-up” recaps. Then, Eming sits down with Mega Ran, the Grammy-nominated artist who brought Event Rap’s signature style to the Emergency Nurses Association conference in New Orleans, sharing how he researches a community, builds hooks that unite the room and delivers performances that resonate—even with audiences who don’t consider themselves hip hop fans.

The episode also debuts Smart Start Radio’s new theme song, created by Event Rap and performed by Jam Young, with the full track playing at the very end.

Why this matters for meeting pros

Event Rap is a case study in experience design that sticks: it reinforces key messages in real time, boosts energy without feeling gimmicky and helps attendees feel seen through highly specific, community-driven storytelling. For planners, it’s a fresh tool for session recaps, openings, closings, and theme reinforcement, especially when you want learning to feel like a shared moment, not a slide deck.

Guests

Baba Brinkman — Founder, Event Rap

Mega Ran — Grammy-nominated artist

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In this special episode of Smart Start Radio, hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sit down with Liz Van Voorhis, founder and CEO of FIT COLLECTIVE, and Ashley Brooke James, co-founder of TRILUNA  to explore what wellness really means in today’s fast-paced meetings world. From burnout and boundaries to building sustainable wellness practices for yourself and your attendees, this candid conversation dives into the heart of how wellness is evolving and why it’s not just a trend but a business imperative.

Listeners will hear how these two trailblazers are helping companies create healthier cultures from the top down, why small daily rituals can transform well-being, and how meeting planners can design events that restore rather than drain.

This episode also marks a bittersweet milestone: Sara’s final appearance as co-host before she begins her next chapter.

Key Takeaways

• How to bring authentic, inclusive wellness into meetings and events
• Why rest and saying no are vital forms of self-care
• Practical wellness rituals to start today
• How purpose and values align with true well-being

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In this special Smart Start Radio: Coffee Chat, recorded live at IMEX 2025 in Las Vegas, host Eming Piansay explores the energy and insights of the industry’s biggest event.

Eming’s first guest is Aviva Kohen from Tourism Calgary, who shares what it’s like to experience IMEX for the first time, why Calgary’s food scene and pancake tradition embody its welcoming spirit and how storytelling shapes destination marketing.

Later, Eming reconnects with Malik Anderson and David Lytle from the Smart Meetings team to reflect on their IMEX experiences, from the whirlwind of meetings and media interviews to the Future Leaders Forum’s Gen Z take on the industry’s future. Together, they unpack lessons learned, favorite discoveries and how the Smart Meetings team plans to tackle IMEX next year.

A lively, real-world look at what happens when creativity, connection and free cookies collide at IMEX.

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sit down with leadership coach Megan Akatu to explore the art of clear communication and authentic leadership. From building trust and confidence at every career stage to practicing mindfulness before tough conversations, Megan shares practical strategies leaders and employees can use to transform the way they connect.

Listeners will learn how to:

• Recognize and break unhelpful workplace patterns
• Build confidence through clarity, groundedness, and presence
• Give and receive feedback using Megan’s CARES model
• Strengthen trust through small but consistent communication habits

Packed with real-world insights for hospitality professionals and beyond, this conversation offers tools to foster healthier, more intentional workplaces.

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In this special Smart Women edition of Smart Start Radio, hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sit down with two powerhouse leaders in the meetings and events industry—Cherryl Brazier, President of Anchor Collection, and Anh Nguyen, President and Co-Founder of Spark Event Collective.

From falling into the industry “by accident” to leading international businesses, Cherryl and Anh share candid stories about their career journeys, lessons learned, and the pivotal moments that shaped them. They open up about overcoming imposter syndrome, redefining hustle culture, and the importance of mentorship, flexibility, and building a strong network.

Listeners will walk away with fresh insights on:

• How to grow your career by embracing both intention and serendipity.
• Why resilience and community are the ultimate success tools.
• How women in meetings can step into leadership and own their accomplishments.

Whether you’re just starting out or at the top of your game, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice and the fire to keep moving forward.

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio’s Coffee Chat, host Eming Piansay is joined by Digital Manager Malik Anderson and new Senior Editor David Lytle for a lively conversation about the art of packing for FAM trips. 

The team shares personal strategies, funny mishaps and packing hacks learned on the road, from must-have gadgets like charging pads to the eternal debate of carry-on vs. checked bags. Listeners will hear how early habits (like David’s childhood packing lists) still come in handy, why Malik swears by traveling light and what Eming learned the hard way about forgetting headphones. The group also dives into style choices, shoe dilemmas, and how to prepare for events like IMEX. 

Whether you’re an overpacker or a minimalist, this episode offers practical tips and relatable stories to make your next business trip smoother.

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AV isn’t just cables and microphones—it’s the heartbeat of your event. And AI? It’s your next secret weapon. In this episode of Smart Start Radio, hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sit down with Amanda Armstrong (Encore) and Anca Trifan (Tree-Fan Events) to explore how AV and AI transform how we design, plan and measure impact.

From overlooked budget killers to game-changing ROI strategies, this conversation covers:

• Why AV should be part of the venue contract conversation
• The difference between ROI and ROE (Return on Experience)
• Fundamental ways AI is enhancing live events, from sentiment tracking to content repurposing
• What planners can ask now to avoid panic later
• The future of connected, empathetic, tech-forward events

Whether you’re a tech-savvy producer or just learning the lingo, this episode offers essential tools for creating unforgettable attendee experiences.

Further Resources: 

The EIN AI Report link: https://eventtechlive.com/event-industry-news-launches-groundbreaking-ai-report-2025-in-partnership-with-eventmobi/

Connect with Anca on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/

Events Demystified Podcast: https://eventsdemystified.com/

Women BTS in Events (tech+prod) Linkedin Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/women-bts-in-events-tech-prod

 WAVE program: https://jobs.encoreglobal.com/en/early-career

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Grab your favorite brew and settle in—this episode of Smart Start Radio dives into the unsung power of your event's coffee craft and the importance of customization. 

Smart Meetings' Digital Content Manager, Malik Anderson, joins Host Eming Piansay to unpack why steaming mugs play a bigger role in events than planners often realize.

From triple-shot habits to beverage-based bonding, Malik and Eming explore how your drink station reflects your event’s personality. They share behind-the-scenes stories, planner oversights (tiny cups, anyone?), and creative ideas for energizing attendees, from local partnerships to espresso cart activations. 

Spoiler: Malik’s caffeine routine might just outpace yours.

This isn’t just about beverages—it’s about building thoughtful moments, one refill at a time.

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, hosts Sara Robertson and Eming Piansay sit down with two trailblazers transforming the beverage experience at events: Carl Radke, entrepreneur and co-founder of Loverboy and Soft Bar & Café, and David Stevens, co-founder of Olympian Meeting and six-time Fittest #EventProf.

Together, they explore the growing demand for non-alcoholic options, the art of crafting mocktails that feel as celebratory as cocktails, and how planners can deliver hospitality with intention, from the first welcome drink to the final farewell.

Carl opens up about his personal journey to sobriety and how it inspired him to create spaces that feel inclusive, elevated, and fun, without alcohol. David shares his philosophy on designing events, prioritizing wellness, connection, and high performance.

The message is clear: Don’t water down the soap. From thoughtfully crafted beverages to premium small details, every touchpoint is an opportunity to show attendees they belong.

Further Resources:

Watch on demand: Elite Performance Tips for Managing Attendee Energy.

Read More: The All Star Event Schedule to Optimize Attendee Energy

Read More: Reimagining The Reception: Trends in Alcohol Consumption

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