What's Your "And"?

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 emp...

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...

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 fo...

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 competiti...

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. We...

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 disc...

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,...

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 g...

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...

Sherri Collins, the Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer at Make-A-Wish Michigan, talks with John Garrett about her passion for the performing arts. Inspired by her mother, Sherri's love for musicals, orchestras, and dance performances began at a young age when she first saw Annie . She discusses how these experiences foster human connection, transcend language and cultural barriers, and enhance...

Josh Sterling, a wealth strategist at Camus Advice in California, shares his unique journey from soccer player and coach to his current career. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, family, and goal-setting, drawn from his extensive experience coaching high school and youth soccer teams. Josh advises listeners to identify their strengths and leverage them in their careers, integrating personal...

This week's guest is Sugey Piedra, an enrolled agent at Prominence Business and Wealth Management and host of the Tax Talk with Hey Hey podcast. Sugey shares her passion for smoking cigars while traveling, revealing how it has allowed her to meet fascinating people worldwide. She talks about her childhood restrictions that ignited her love for travel and her many adventures, including trips to Afr...

Chris Fuller-Wigg, Vice President of Sales at Motiv and advocate for rescuing farmed animals, shares his passion for creating the Austin Farm Sanctuary. He reflects on rescuing two goats and a pig that sparked the sanctuary's growth from a half-acre property in 2016 to 95 acres housing over 215 animals by 2021. Chris emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself in the workplace and praises M...

Rory Henry, director at Arrowroot Family Office and host of the AFO Wealth Management Forward podcast, shares how he's seen the What's Your "And"? message resonate with so many people in a short amount of time. He emphasizes the importance of saying "Yes, and" to opportunities, which can lead to serendipitous moments in life. Rory also touches on his passion for sports, recounting memorable experi...

Wealth Management Director and Author Lindsey Kane Leaverton joins host John Garrett to discuss the intersection of her financial expertise and her passion for creativity. Lindsey shares insights from her book "Not Another Self-Help Book," reflecting on the role of songwriting and writing in her personal healing journey. She delves into the unexpected positive impact her book has had on her client...

Zane Stevens joins host John Garrett to share insights on his nontraditional approach to accountancy firm structure, prioritizing employee happiness for increased productivity. He delves into his personal passions, including his significant involvement in coaching soccer and managing a youth soccer league. Zane credits the skills he's developed through coaching, such as patience and recognizing in...

Clint Padgett dives into his passion for scuba diving, recounting night dives with bioluminescent plankton and close encounters with marine wildlife, such as barracudas and hammerhead sharks. He shares the exhilaration of drift diving in destinations like Cozumel and relives a particularly nerve-wracking experience with an air supply issue in Curacao. Clint also opens up about his journey to vegan...

Alice Grey Harrison shares her passion for needlepoint, which she discovered during a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. She expresses the meditative benefits of needlepoint and defends integrating hobbies like this into the workplace, arguing that they enhance energy and spark creativity. She advocates for integrating personal passions into work life, suggesting that such practices can l...

Steve Grimes delves into his passion for mountain climbing, sharing insights from his experiences with altitude sickness and the perseverance required to conquer towering peaks like Kilimanjaro. Steve, the firm administrator at Whipplewood CPAs in Littleton, Colorado, has tackled 34 of the state's 58 "14ers," with mountain climbing providing him not only a physical challenge but also a mental resi...

In this episode of "What's Your 'And'?", Michael Berthold shares his journey from engineering to embracing his passion for music. Michael recounts how forming the band Clubhouse in college and winning a contest to play at the LC Pavilion gave him tremendous confidence, which he has carried into his accounting career. He discusses the balancing act of being a senior accountant and client engagement...

Chris Mossa, Chief Strategy Officer at Graphite in New York City, shares his passion for endurance running and the impact it has had on his life. He discusses the evolution of running from a competitive pursuit to a mental health practice and now a focus on longevity. Chris emphasizes the importance of finding commonality to make connections in sales and business and highlights the value of gettin...

Arlie Kidd, Head of Talent Relations at Lemonpie, shares the value of singing as a way to unplug and recounts her personal experiences, from being Miss North Carolina to finding joy in telling people's stories through PR and podcasting. She emphasizes the significance of incorporating personal passions into the workplace to create a more well-rounded and engaged environment. Arlie reflects on the...

Will Hill, owner at Will Hill Consults, shares his passion for hiking and finding waterfalls with host John Garrett in episode 603 of What's Your "And"? He discusses how outdoor activities like hiking have energized him and provided a valuable perspective that he applies to his work. Will talks about his favorite hikes, including those in the redwoods and at Joshua Tree National Park, and how he i...

Stephen Vono, Senior Vice President at McGowan Pro, shares his passion for vinyl records and music, which has enhanced his professional career. He talks about how hearing John speak at a conference motivated him to start the Risky Records Podcast which combines his love for music and work, creating a humanizing effect on his professional image. Stephen discusses the resurgence of vinyl, his extens...

Mike Gillis, CEO of DMJPS, a CPA and advisory firm in North Carolina, joins John Garrett on this episode of What's Your "And"? Mike talks about his passion for lake life and how it's become a huge part of his personal and professional life. His dedication to promoting work-life balance and employee engagement, along with his advocacy for sharing personal interests in the workplace, creates a posit...