"If you're not willing to look dumb, you're not going to accomplish anything."

Notable Moments

00:10:05 – A trip that sparked Matthew's dream to design roller coasters.

00:16:28 – How moving into an empty office turned an internship into a full-time role.

00:23:24 – The two-step mindset behind innovation: believe it's possible and learn from others.

00:27:58 – Matthew's "job application" to ask his future wife out on a date.

00:32:58 – Advice on taking bold, wise risks and being the main character in your own story.

The most creative people aren't waiting for permission. They just start. For Matthew Miller, America's Theme Park Technologist, that meant sneaking into an opportunity, which has led him to designing his dream career.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Matthew

Website - ThemeParkMiller.com

LinkedIn - @matthew-miller-theme-parks

IMDB - Matthew Miller

Instagram - @Wewamiller

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Keep your business simple enough that stepping away doesn't break it."

Notable Moments

00:07:22 – Liz explains how her business made money while she was on the cruise.

00:09:41 – The role of an operations manager and creating a business manual.

00:14:22 – Planning bursts of work to allow time off.

00:15:14 – Work-life balance compared to the tide.

00:17:35 – Why her $9 membership model works.

00:23:19 – Inclusivity and supporting beginners as a core value.

Liz Wilcox joins me to share how she built a business that thrives without her. From designing systems and hiring support to embracing a simple $9 membership model, Liz proves you can step away, enjoy life, and still see growth.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Liz Wilcox

LizWilcox.com

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"It's not that a lesson is different. It's that the story that makes it memorable."

Episode Highlights

00:02:22 – How financial myths became the foundation for a parable.

00:05:41 – Building real, flawed characters that teach through story.

00:09:35 – Why dialogue makes or breaks a parable.

00:13:04 – Learning from mentor John David Mann and building a new business model.

00:19:36 – Why parents may want to give this book to their kids.

00:21:40 – The difference between repeating lessons and telling better stories.

00:22:12 – First steps for writing your own business parable.

Author Jeff West joins Jody Maberry to share how he turns timeless lessons into unforgettable parables. From flawed characters to unexpected settings like a bank robbery, Jeff explains why story makes teaching more effective, how mentors sharpened his craft, and what it takes to start writing your own business parable.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Jeff West

jeffcwest.com

Order Jeff's Book - The Hidden Heist

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Sometimes the most meaningful path isn't the one that looks right on paper. It's the one that makes you feel most alive."

Notable Moments

[00:01:00] Leaving a banking career to become a park ranger

[00:02:50] Discovering the power of legacy in families visiting parks

[00:04:50] A wild arrest story while on bike patrol

[00:08:20] Why Glacier National Park feels like a "long-term relationship"

[00:10:40] Reflecting on the loss of historic buildings at the Grand Canyon

Jody Maberry sits down with returning guest and former Disney animator David Bossert. He asks Jody three questions that lead to a reflection on his unique career path. Jody shares how the loss of his grandmother led him to leave a banking career to become a park ranger, what it was like to navigate unpredictable situations as a law enforcement ranger, and why Glacier National Park continues to capture his heart after years of visits. Their conversation blends stories, laughter, and thoughtful insights about legacy, calm leadership under pressure, and finding the places that make you come alive.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with David

https://www.davidbossert.com/

Listen to the Skull Rock Podcast

Books from The Old Mill Press

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Anytime somebody asked me to do something, I always said yes, and then I went to figure it out."

Episode Highlights

04:17 – Parents encouraged him to pursue an artistic career.

08:04 – Films like The Lion King deep impact on families and children.

10:47 – Animation work is a piece of a larger purpose at Disney.

18:29 – Career reframed as an education, not just a job.

19:42 – Best advice: "Always say yes" and figure it out later.

20:54 – Innovation and patents born from curiosity.

23:17 – Learning manufacturing from scratch through connections.

25:09 – Self-publishing a book and winning awards by asking questions.

Dave Bossert, author and longtime Disney animator, shares how treating his career as an education shaped every step of his journey. From decades of animation work to writing award-winning books, he explains how curiosity, saying yes, and a willingness to learn opened doors and created opportunities far beyond what he imagined.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Dave

https://www.davidbossert.com/

Listen to the Skull Rock Podcast

Books from The Old Mill Press

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"If someone has taken the time to teach you, take the time to teach someone else."

Notable Moments

00:02:02 – Learning the responsibility to be great.

00:03:36 – The value of finding where the edges are.

00:05:23 – Applying pressure to rules that don't make sense.

00:06:46 – The importance of building influence before challenging norms.

00:07:37 – Passing lessons from a mentor on to others.

In this episode, Jody shares three lessons from the park manager took a chance on him. His name was Jack, and he became his first mentor. He shares the meaning behind some of the things Jack taught him, including expect greatness from yourself, discover the edges of what's possible, and challenge rules that don't make sense. These simple shifts can change how you show up every day in life and as a leader.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Theme parks and national parks may seem different, but they are both in the people business. Each offers a chance to step away from stress and into something extraordinary."

Notable Moments

1:03 – Why Glacier and Yellowstone hold such unique places in my heart

2:22 – How a behind-the-scenes safari ride shifted my perspective

4:17 – The slow realization of connecting ranger life with Disney lessons

7:18 – The surprising way I first connected with Lee Cockerell

9:58 – A recent trip to Chile that opened up new horizons for exploration

13:17 – How early mistakes in parks helped shape better practices worldwide

15:35 – The joy of lecturing on Alaska cruises and engaging with travelers

Jody Maberry reflects on the surprising ways his passions for national parks and theme parks connect. From Glacier to Disney, and even adventures in South America, he shares stories that highlight the overlap between nature, storytelling, and service.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

"When people dream of being a Cast Member or a Park Ranger it's less about the pay and more about being part of something special."

Notable Moments

2:13 – Going from urban planning to Disney to traveling the backroads of America.

4:30 – Similarities between theme parks and natural parks

7:37 – Why uniforms tell stories too

13:35 – The "dream job" appeal of park rangers and Disney cast members

17:16 – Three threads Sam sees across Disney, Universal, and parks

19:25 – How parks decide what story to tell

25:08 – The "layer cake" of storytelling

27:40 – Freeman Tilden's principle of provocation

29:36 – Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as a parable

This conversation with author and urban planner Sam Gennawey explores the surprising similarities between theme parks and national parks. Jody Maberry and Sam discuss how stories are layered, why interpretation matters, and what makes an experience stay with us long after it's over.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Sam Gennawey

Sam on Facebook

Sam's Books Available to Order

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Disney leaders have an unmatched ability to balance big-picture vision with meticulous attention to the smallest details."

Notable Moments

00:54 – What makes Disney leaders different 02:18 – The value of high standards and detail 04:28 – Common mistakes in transitioning from corporate to personal ventures 05:19 – The need for clarity in defining your value 06:50 – Travel habits: judging communities by their pizza 08:17 – Glacier National Park and finding "your park" 09:36 – Lessons from international travel 10:52 – Donut shop recommendations 12:08 – Why locals know the best spots 13:23 – A memorable stop in Pine Mountain, Georgia

In this episode, Wes Gay returns to ask me three unscripted questions. Our conversation leads to insights on what sets Disney leaders apart, why clarity is crucial for executives transitioning into their own ventures, and the hidden gems you find when you travel like a local. I share stories from workshops, travel adventures, and the importance of blending big-picture vision with detail-focused execution.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

"Confusion is the number one enemy of every business."

Connect with Wes Gay

https://www.wesgay.com/

Wes on https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesgay

Wes on https://www.instagram.com/wesgay

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry

Notable Moments:

00:01:24 – Why confusion is the #1 enemy of business

00:04:36 – Example of how to introduce yourself with a problem-first approach

00:06:02 – Why Wes keeps his website extremely simple and intentional

00:10:09 – What a framework actually is and why it matters

00:12:21 – Using identity-based compliments to uncover your strengths

00:14:52 – How to use AI and testing to build your first framework

00:18:52 – Your framework is just a vehicle to deliver results

00:22:08 – Real examples of effective frameworks Wes uses

00:25:07 – "Thin to win": Why less is more in your framework

00:27:14 – The Tim Ferriss example of hyper-specific focus

00:30:24 – Creating a framework that becomes what you're known for

Wes Gay helps brands find the right words to grow their business, and in this episode, he explains how to transform your expertise into a powerful framework. From identifying your strengths to testing your ideas, Wes shares how clarity can become your most valuable asset. If you're a solopreneur, a retiring executive, or someone seeking to clarify your message, this conversation will show you how to turn what you know into a business that works.

Read the blog for more from this episode.