What's Your "And"?

In this episode of "What's Your 'And'?", guest Matt Pierce, a former advertising professional and passionate rap musician, shares his journey from Madison Avenue to the stage. Matt reflects on his early creative experiences and integrating his love for rap music with his advertising career. He recounts performing an original rap at a Havas Creative company happy hour, which led to more opportunities and recognition within his professional environment. Matt emphasizes the importance of sharing personal passions at work, as it fostered genuine connections and enhanced his visibility. He encourages listeners to pursue their hobbies while understanding the practical challenges involved. Despite initial hesitation, Matt found acceptance and encouragement from his colleagues, proving the value of authenticity in the workplace.

Episode Highlights

· Matt emphasizes the importance of balancing hobbies or passions with professional life and shares his experience of transitioning from advertising to music · He highlights the significance of sharing personal interests at work to foster genuine connections and enhance organizational culture · He discusses how sharing his creative talents at work, such as performing rap music at a work gathering, led to increased visibility and professional opportunities · Matt advises people not to rush into pursuing their passions full-time without practical understanding, valuing the fulfillment that part-time endeavors can provide

In this episode of "What's Your 'And'?," John Garrett welcomes Rick Goodmay, the Director of Client Relations at ICM Colorado. Rick shares how his passion for smoking meat and cheese serves as his creative outlet and how it fosters community both in his personal life and at work. Inspired by a coworker, he got into the art of smoking to enjoy and share larger quantities of delicious food. Rick emphasizes the importance of understanding the interests of coworkers and clients to build stronger relationships. He recounts heartwarming stories from his Italian upbringing that highlight the significance of food in bringing people together. Rick continues to spread joy and connection through his culinary talents, even making a point to smoke food with others at the office.

Episode Highlights

• Utilizing hobbies to build relationships: Rick emphasized how his interest in smoking meats and cheeses helped him connect with coworkers and clients, fostering a sense of community.

• Keeping traditions alive: Rick highlighted the importance of continuing family traditions, such as cooking and sharing meals, which play a significant role in his life and personal identity.

• Cold smoking: Rick shared his technique of cold smoking, a method for smoking cheeses without melting them, adding a unique skill set to his hobby.

• Workplace culture: Rick spoke about the supportive and family-like culture at his workplace, stressing the importance of genuine care and check-ins among colleagues for a safer, more cohesive environment.

• Importance of sharing your passions: Rick encouraged listeners to share their passions with others, noting that even if some people aren't interested, there will always be others who are, and these shared interests can build meaningful connections.

Carla Youngblood, a CPA by day and comedian by night, shares insights from her journey into comedy that began at a talent show. She reflects on her experience performing at a bar, where she learned the importance of engaged audiences for successful comedy. Carla discusses how her natural talent for humor, honed from family gatherings, positively influences her workplace, making her more relatable and engaging. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing personal interests at work, advocating for spaces where colleagues can share their passions. Carla also recounts her memorable performance for the Funeral Association of Alabama and her impactful one-woman show, "The Truth About Breast Cancer."

Episode Highlights

· Carla advocates for sharing hobbies at work, believing it enhances workplace dynamics and personal connections.

· Transitioning to speaking engagements, using humor to address serious topics like her breast cancer journey and connecting with other cancer survivors.

· Humor has positively influenced her professional life, making her a more engaging and relatable colleague.

· She encourages listeners to share their 'Ands' (personal interests) to create a more authentic and enjoyable work environment.

Malony Bartush, Director of HR Communications at Pentex Energy, delves into her passion for running and its impact on her professional life. She shares an inspiring anecdote about her running group’s extraordinary camaraderie, including a heartfelt story of members running extra miles for others who can't run that day. 

Malony discusses how this supportive mindset permeates her HR role, helping foster a motivated workplace culture. She highlights her popular "Mile-A-Day Challenge," an initiative that has extended to over 200 participants, promoting perseverance and mental strength.

Additionally, Malony emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal interests in enhancing both individual job satisfaction and organizational culture. Join us to hear Malony’s insights on balancing professional dedication with an enriching personal life.

Episode Highlights

· Her running group offers a strong sense of community and support, with members encouraging each other to achieve personal goals.

· The perseverance and drive from running translate into Malony's HR role, aiding her during challenging times.

· At Pentex Energy, a culture of support and encouragement for sharing personal interests leads to better productivity and job satisfaction.

· This personal Mile-A-Day Challenge has grown to over 200 participants, highlighting the mental and physical benefits of consistent effort.

· Embracing one's true self and hobbies leads to better workplace connections and overall satisfaction.

Franky Lopez, a senior accountant at BMSS Advisors and CPAs, shares his passion for competitive TV shows. Franky dives into his love for "Survivor," "Big Brother," and "The Challenge," as well as game shows like "Wheel of Fortune" and "Deal or No Deal." And let's not forget the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.

Growing up, his family frequently watched these shows together, which fostered his competitive spirit and interest in people's stories. Franky also recounts the excitement of putting in applications to be a contestant and his family's near-appearance on "Family Feud" a few years ago.

He emphasizes how these interests help him connect with colleagues and build deeper relationships at work. Tune in to hear how Franky's unique hobbies impact his professional life and personal growth.

Episode Highlights

· Franky loves watching competition shows like Survivor, Big Brother, The Challenge, and game shows like Wheel of Fortune with his family, which was a significant bonding activity growing up.

· He appreciates these shows not just for the competition but also for the personal stories of the participants, which make them more relatable and engaging.

· Sharing his interest in competition shows at work helped him connect with colleagues, leading to activities like a Survivor Fantasy League with 20 participants.

· Franky believes it’s crucial for organizations to create a culture where employees can share their personal interests and connect beyond work-related topics, fostering a supportive and engaging work environment.

· He emphasized the importance of having supportive relationships at work, sharing a personal story of how his colleagues supported him during his father’s illness and passing.

Wendy Walker, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Sovos, shares her passion for quilting and running. Wendy reveals how she began quilting eight years ago to connect with her mom, utilizing pictures and video calls to collaborate from different states. She discusses the therapeutic and creative aspects of quilting, highlighting its significance as a stress reliever and a source of personal fulfillment.

Wendy also touches on her initial reluctance about sharing her quilting hobby with colleagues, and how embracing it helped display her multifaceted personality beyond her professional role. She encourages listeners to pursue hobbies for personal satisfaction and to integrate these interests into their work life for a balanced and enriched experience.

Lastly, Wendy talks about how personal interests can positively impact professional relationships and corporate culture by fostering creativity and open-mindedness.

Episode Highlights

· Revealing personal hobbies and interests helps positively impact professional relationships and dispel stereotypes.

· Personal items like quilts can spark conversations with colleagues, fostering connections.

· Individuals should pursue personal interests for their own joy and not be deterred by fear of judgment.

· Balancing personal hobbies with professional life enriches interactions, relieves stress, and enhances overall creativity and job satisfaction.

John Tyreman shares how something simple like having his drum set in the background during a work video call with a client sparked a deeper connection and conversation. He emphasizes the importance of sharing personal interests to build meaningful relationships at work. John recalls inheriting his mom's Pearl Export drum set and how jamming with a neighbor ignited his passion for drumming. He discusses his journey from playing in various rock bands in high school and his twenties, taking a break due to parenting, and eventually returning to drumming. John also highlights how his musical background influences his career in marketing and podcasting.

Episode Highlights

· Sharing personal interests like hobbies can build deeper connections in professional settings.

· Creating a space for employees to share their "and" can enhance team connections and work productivity.

· The significance of perseverance with a humorous story from his early drumming days.

· Balancing personal passions with parenting responsibilities is crucial for maintaining fulfillment.

· The natural connection between personal passions (like drumming) and professional skills (such as marketing and podcasting).

Eric Kamont, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Industrial Metaverse at Microsoft, discusses the transformative power of integrating personal passions into professional environments. Eric shares how using personal interests as icebreakers has strengthened his connections in both work and while running youth programs. He reflects on losing 115 pounds, achieving a black belt in martial arts, and completing 85 Spartan Races, illustrating his mental fortitude and perseverance. Eric highlights the importance of understanding colleagues on a deeper level and fostering diverse, passion-driven teams. He also digs into the positive impact of a supportive work culture that encourages employees to live their fullest lives. Additionally, Eric emphasizes the value of being change agents within organizations and connecting with others over shared outside-of-work interests.

Episode Highlights

· Sharing personal passions can serve as effective icebreakers in both work and social settings, facilitating deeper connections and networking.

· Embracing and sharing personal interests can positively influence work culture and relationships, creating lasting connections and a supportive environment.

· The mental strength developed through personal challenges, such as Spartan racing, can translate into tackling difficult projects and achieving professional success.

· Having a diverse team with varied strengths, such as mental endurance and creativity, is crucial for excelling in the workplace.

· Organizations should create a supportive environment that encourages employees to share and pursue their passions, leading to better well-being, productivity, and profitability.

Dave Hartley, a partner with Anders CPAs and Advisors and host of the But Who's Counting? podcast, shares his insights on the importance of authenticity and individuality in professional settings. Dave highlights how firm leaders play a crucial role in fostering genuine connections, especially in remote work environments. He recounts his love for music, starting from his first concert in seventh grade, and how working security at concerts influenced his people skills. A memorable story about guarding the stage at a Bon Jovi concert is something you definitely want to hear. Dave also talks about his fondness for stand-up comedy and how its challenges mirror the learning experiences in a career. His passion for music and comedy translates into building strong relationships with clients and colleagues.

Episode Highlights

· Emphasizes the importance of being yourself in professional settings and how acceptance of individuality is growing in professions like accounting.

· Highlights the critical role of firm leaders in fostering genuine connections and interactions, especially in the remote work environment.

· Stresses the value of showing genuine interest in employees’ personal interests and hobbies to foster relationships and team engagement.

· Explains how his love for music has positively influenced his work, particularly in building and maintaining relationships with clients.

Judge Frank Szymanski discusses the importance of finding activities that bring joy and focus, advocating for spending time in "flow mode." Frank shares his passion for meditation, mindfulness, and yoga, and his efforts to implement these practices in the juvenile and adult prison systems. He also reflects on his dual identity as a singer in a David Bowie tribute band, emphasizing the significance of embracing all aspects of oneself. Szymanski highlights the effectiveness of mindfulness in addressing issues like gun violence and societal anxiety, and questions why such practices are not more widely adopted. Through his music and advocacy, Frank exemplifies the idea of fully activating oneself in both personal and professional life.

Episode Highlights:

· Emphasize finding joy and focus in activities, not just pursuing money and material gains for happiness.

· Advocate for the positive impact of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.

· Highlight the decision to pursue a David Bowie tribute band due to admiration for Bowie's charisma and theatricality.

· Stress the importance of serving others and integrating both personal passions and professional duties.

· Encourage embracing all aspects of one's identity, including unique hobbies and professional roles.