Fishing for Answers

Fishing for Answers: Breaking Free from Mediocrity (Raise the Bar, Avoid Busywork, Build Accountability) In this virtual episode of Fishing for Answers, the hosts explore what it means to be “okay with mediocrity” and how it differs from failure, describing mediocrity as staying in the same state and letting your brain accept the status quo. They discuss how comfort zones, “just enough” effort, an...

Fall Break Reset: Why Vacation Time Makes You a Better Worker | Fishing for Answers In this episode of Fishing for Answers, we talk about fall break as a timely reminder to reset, recharge, and actually use vacation days, arguing that time off benefits both employees and companies by reducing burnout and anxiety. They discuss how some workplaces track time off, require employees to take a day if t...

Confidence vs. Arrogance: Build Real Confidence with the Competence-Confidence Loop | Fishing for AnswersOn location for another episode of Fishing for Answers, Marlin and Jaerica explore the importance of confidence and how it differs from arrogance. They discuss how confidence is often built through practice, competence, and support from others, highlighting Dr. Chris Fuzie’s competence-confiden...

What is People Pleasing? On-location, Marlin and Jaerica discuss “people pleasing,” clarifying the difference between kindness/generosity and fear-driven overcommitment. They explore common patterns like automatically saying yes when already overloaded, chronic apologizing, and mirroring opinions to fit in, tying some behavior to the trauma-related “fawn response” (agreeableness to avoid conflict...

I Can. I Need. I Will. I Must. Jaerica and Marlin welcome listeners back to Fishing for Answers by sharing motivation sparked during Marlin’s return to the gym, where four phrases kept coming to mind: “I can,” “I need,” “I will,” and “I must.” They connect these words to starting new things like the podcast, building momentum over perfection, and taking small steps even when fear or excuses feel o...

Laughter Is the Best Medicine| Fishing for AnswersIn this episode, the Marlin and Jaerica discuss the power of laughter as “free medicine,” sharing personal stories of on-air/podcast mishaps, family moments, and uncontrollable giggle fits while emphasizing laughter’s role in relieving stress and boosting mood. They reference Mayo Clinic points about laughter stimulating organs, activating and cool...

Welcome Back! Season three of Fishing for Answers begins with gratitude for listeners and supporters, including MLT Communication, and a reminder that research shows 90% of podcasts don’t make it past the third episode—making their third-season return significant. The hosts clarify they stayed in touch during the hiatus and share personal summer updates: Marlin’s twin daughters’ internships and ca...

Fishing for Answers Season 2 Wrap-Up: Listener Stats, Milestones & What’s Next for Season 3 Jaerica and Marlin wrap up season two of Fishing for Answers, explaining they’re taking a short summer break to focus on family, and share plans to return refreshed for season three. They review listener demographics (73.5% ages 45–59, 21% ages 35–44, just over 5% younger; 74% female, 26% male) and note...

Leadership, Faith & Service in Public Power | Scott Owens (Benton County Electric System) | Fishing for AnswersIn this episode of Fishing for Answers, hosts Jaerica and Marlin interview Scott Owens, General Manager of Benton County Electric System, about his journey from IT and next steps into utility leadership and what he believes defines great service in public power. Scott explains how fai...

Set Your Emotional Thermostat: Morning Mindset, Agency, Presence & Self-Compassion Jaerica and Marlin discuss mindful motivation—how to “set your emotional thermostat” before the day begins through grounding and intentionality rather than toxic positivity. They highlight choosing agency by controlling responses to stress , giving yourself permission to be human by valuing progress over perfect...

Fishing for Answers: GDE CEO Mark Kimbell on Leadership, Relationships & Succession Planning Marlin and Jaerica welcome special guest Mark Kimbell, CEO of Gallatin Department of Electricity, who shares his background as an electrical engineer and GDE’s growth since 2012. He emphasizes leadership principles of honesty, openness, integrity, and strong relationships, including empowering employee...

Handling Workplace Friction | Fishing for Answers Marlin and Jaerica reunite in Gallatin for an episode of Fishing for Answers focused on navigating friction and difficult people in the workplace, including recognizing when you may be the one causing tension. They share practical strategies such as using a 24-hour cooling-off rule, assuming positive intent (low competence vs. high malice), buildin...

Redefining Hope (Mental Health Month): Micro-Wins, Borrowed Hope & Finding Glimmers | Fishing for Answers Marlin and Jaerica reunite on Fishing for Answers to discuss redefining hope when life feels dim, exhausting, and hopeless for mental health month. They distinguish optimism (believing things will turn out well) from hope (believing life can still be meaningful regardless of outcomes), and...

Mind, Body & Spirit: Iron Tribe Gallatin Owners Share Their Story Jaerica hosts Fishing for Answers with guests Joshua and Kaitlyn, owners of Iron Tribe Fitness Gallatin, a semi-private personal training gym focused on barbell and strength training. They share their background—Joshua’s 21 years in strength and conditioning and Kaitlyn’s work as an emergency room doctor—how they met, moved to t...

How to Stay Focused: Set Your Environment, Silence Distractions & Get More Done | Fishing for Answers Jaerica and Marlin reunite on Fishing for Answers and discuss practical ways to stay focused by intentionally setting up an environment that supports attention and productivity. They share examples from traveling and working in hotels, emphasizing that surroundings influence output, and sugges...

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Jaerica hosts Fishing for Answers solo and reflects on the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” noting that many people change jobs or careers multiple times and that it’s common not to choose one path at 18 and stay until retirement. She shares her own trajectory into public power and human resources, explains the difference between changing...

Staying Grounded While Staying Busy | Fishing for Answers Jaerica and Marlin welcome listeners back to Fishing forAnswers and thank them for feedback. They focus on self-care, protecting mental health, allowing time to reflect, and not letting constant busyness or notifications steal clarity—while also encouraging listeners to forgive themselves for one-off mistakes and ask to be taught so mistake...

12 Phrases Great Leaders Use to Build Trust, Confidence, and Culture | Fishing for Answers On the road again, Jaerica and Marlin share “12 phrases that great leaders use” to strengthen trust, empowerment, and workplace culture, especially for new leaders learning the role. They discuss why simple statements matter in HR and everyday leadership, including: “I trust you,” “You’ve got this,” and more...

Silent Killers of Workplace Motivation Jaerica and Marlin discuss “Silent Killers of WorkplaceMotivation,” focusing on how small leadership and culture issues can quickly drain morale. They highlight unclear expectations (especially outdated job descriptions), lack of recognition, micromanaging and the resulting loss oftrust, and workplace culture problems like negativity, silos, gossip, and disre...

6 Ways to Communicate Better: Clear, Concise, Considerate, Consistent & Connected Jaerica and Marlin record from a new on-the-road location and dive into practical communication tips that impact both work performance and family life. They emphasize making communication clear so both parties truly understand, noting how people often assume thoughts were spoken aloud. They discuss being concise...

Book Tour: 8 Leadership & Life Reads (Careers, Change, Community, and Culture) In this episode of Fishing for Answers, Marlin and Jaerica bring back their popular “book tour,” sharing four recommendations each and key takeaways. Jaerica highlights The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis on designing growth beyond the corporate ladder, Jon Gordon’s The Carpenter on service, positivi...

Build Your Leadership Go Bag Jaerica and Marlin reflect on Winter Storm Fern and use it as a prompt to discuss day-to-day preparedness in leadership. They describe what they would put in a “leadership go bag,” including books and education for reminders, mentors for guidance and motivation, encouraging notes like the “Marlin card” to counter negativity, a distraction-free journal device (a Remarka...

Crafting a Personal Vision Statement: Jaerica and Marlin reunite following up on a prior episode by sharing progress on crafting personal vision/life purpose statements, describing a vision statement as an internal guiding force. Jaerica explains her chosen characteristics—energy and enthusiasm—and how they differ, then adds how she wants to interact with people through love and encouragement, sha...

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself: Vision, Values, and Personal Growth Marlin and Jaerica discuss the importance of becoming the best version of yourself. They delve into the significance of having a vision statement both for organizations and individuals, and how it helps guide strategic direction and personal growth. The episode covers practical steps to set and achieve personal vision state...

Declutter Your Life: Juggling Priorities and Reducing Distractions In this episode of 'Fishing for Answers,' hosts MarlinWilliams and Jaerica Troutt are on scene discussing the importance of decluttering your life by focusing on what truly matters. They delve into practical tips for identifying and eliminating unnecessary activities, managing distractions, and the pitfalls of multitasking....