Beats Working: Winning the Game of Events

This one hits different. In the season finale of Beats Working, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren sit down with producer Tamar Routly for a final look behind the curtain. From near-disasters no guest ever noticed to the quiet power of the people holding it all together, this episode reflects on what the event industry  really  teaches you over time.  It’s a love letter to the unsung heroes of event...

In this episode of Beats Working, Sandra Kelley shares what it really takes to last 25 years in the event industry. From her early days hiding behind lighting rigs to leading massive 15,000-person productions, Sandra pulls back the curtain on the grit, kinship, and recovery rituals that keep event pros in the game. This isn’t about glamour — it’s about the humans behind the headset and why relatio...

What makes an event unforgettable isn’t the spotlight — it’s stewardship.   In this wildly smart (and hilarious) episode of Beats Working, legendary drag icon and philanthropic powerhouse Dr. Kevin Cook, aka Dr. Poison Waters, shares four decades of hard-earned event wisdom. From reading the room before doors open to redirecting chaos without embarrassing your audience, Poison reveals what separat...

In this episode of Beats Working, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren break down one of the most referenced leadership books in the event world: "Leaders Eat Last." Through laughter, real talk, and a surprisingly memorable broccolini metaphor, they unpack why leadership in events isn’t about titles or perks — it’s about trust, safety, and showing up for your people long before show day. Fro...

What if creativity — not perfection — was your most powerful event strategy? In this episode of Beats Working, Libby Sundgren sits down with Michael Huynh, founder of Seattle-based bakery Macadons, to explore how risk-taking, community-first thinking, and a willingness to try (and sometimes fail) can transform a brand into an experience people feel deeply connected to. From leaving a stable career...

What if the secret to unforgettable events isn’t perfection — but trust? In this episode of Beats Working, hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren sit down with April Wachtel, founder and CEO of Cheeky Cocktails, to explore how trusting your palate, your instincts, and your people can transform events from stressful to spectacular. Drawing from 20+ years in hospitality, April shares lessons learned...

Service gets you in the game — but hospitality is how you win it. In this book-review episode, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren dive into "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara and unpack why unforgettable events aren’t built on flawless logistics alone. From budgeting for joy to empowering teams to create emotional moments, this conversation reframes hospitality as the ultimate comp...

Dry January isn’t just a trend — it’s a wake-up call for the events industry. In this candid Fun Table conversation, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren are joined by Amy Liz Harrison, Dele Downs Kooley, and Kristin Graham to unpack what the sober-curious movement really means for modern events. From zero-proof cocktails and inclusive bar setups to the power of sober allies, this episode challenges o...

In Part 2 of our Event Pro Highlights 2025 series, Alysse and Libby spotlight the wins, wisdom, and runway-level magic that shaped this year in events. From story-driven swag to DJs who read a room like a language, this episode celebrates the creative thinkers and chaos tamers who make unforgettable moments happen. Expect smart shipping tips, clever day-saving hacks, behind-the-scenes mischief, an...

In this energetic year-in-review, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren revisit the standout conversations that shaped Beats Working in 2025. From Lisa Schulteis’ brain-first approach to event design, to Virginia Frischkorn’s reminder that gathering is a human necessity (not a luxury), to Stuart Butler’s superpower of connecting humans like a one-man LinkedIn, this episode celebrates the insights, laug...

Burnout is real! And this Fun Table conversation goes straight into the lived-in signs, the quiet red flags and the practical ways event pros can protect their energy heading into 2026. From food aversion to emotional clutter, the hosts unpack what happens when ambition collides with depletion and how boundaries, rituals and honesty can pull us back from the edge.   Takeaways:  Burnout often shows...

BEATS WORKING celebrates the 40th anniversary of Seattle’s iconic Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition with guest Pamela Hinckley, executive director of the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank. From inflatable pig costumes to school choirs pouring through the streets of Pike Place Market, this episode reveals the joy, logistics, and community impact behind one of Seattle’s most heartfelt holid...

Most event pros put on first-class experiences on coach budgets — and Kristen Graham knows why. A 25-year veteran of culture, communications and events at companies like Expedia and Amazon, Kristen now runs Unlock the Brain, where she helps smart-but-busy people do fewer things better. In this lively conversation, Alysse and Libby dive into the brain science behind unforgettable experiences — from...

What happens when two event pros put Nick Gray’s "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party" to the test? Alysse and Libby break down the simple systems that make small gatherings shine: smart invites and day-of reminders, better name tags (that don’t ruin your outfit), how to handle the early birds with kindness, inclusive drink setups for sober and sober-curious guests, and the art of a clear end time...

Whether it’s sweet potatoes gone rogue or a Buzz Lightyear scaling the stage, the Fun Table crew (Libby Sundgren, Alysse Bryson, Kristin Graham, Dele Downs Kooley and Amy Liz Harrison) unwrap the messy magic of holiday gatherings. From stocking traditions and grief rituals to ditching gifts in favor of gratitude and connection, this episode celebrates the power of togetherness — sparkly elf glasse...

Ten years. Hundreds of young artists. And a community that shows up. Executive Director Olisa Enrico joins hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren with youth artists Maia Gaiia and Sonatta to unpack The Residency’s journey from a two-week summer intensive partnering with MoPOP/Arts Corps and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to a year-round 501(c)(3) that serves 300–400 youth annually — plus the capital-...

Chef-guided food tours hit differently. Founder Liz Philpot of Eat Seattle Tours shares how movement, tasting and chef stories transform groups from strangers to teammates — especially across Pike Place Market and Seattle Center. We dig into vendor partnerships, designing “fast-casual” tour flows, the reality of on-the-fly pivots (yes, even banana-to-the-face stories) and why chef guides create th...

What if art could break down barriers and turn strangers into collaborators? In this episode, Alysse and Libby sit down with Jess Devenport, co-founder of Paintillio, the company revolutionizing events with massive, interactive paint-by-number murals. From weddings to Fortune 500 conferences to a record-breaking 60-foot Frida Kahlo piece in Mexico City, Jess shares how collaborative art fosters co...

If “team bonding” at your company still means bar tabs and branded swag, this one’s for you. The Fun Table tears into why so many office parties feel forced — and shares smarter, inclusive, budget-savvy ways to gather. From clear structure and boundaries to sober-friendly menus, opt-out without penalty, remote/hybrid equity, and purpose-driven activities (like service projects), this episode rewri...

Meet Jacques The Party Scientist, a dynamic speaker, consultant and event producer who uses his background in public health and biochemistry to revolutionize the way we approach events. On this episode of BEATS WORKING, Jacques shares how fostering joy and authentic connection — not just impressive venues or open bars — creates truly unforgettable experiences. Discover why goofiness is more than f...

Join hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren and sit down with Dele Downs Kooley — speaker coach, personal brand strategist, Amazon #1 bestselling author and former Microsoft culture leader. Dele unpacks the importance of owning your voice, building presence and leading with confidence, especially in high-performance and events-driven environments. She shares actionable strategies for overcoming fe...

Step inside the largest event show in the Pacific Northwest with Stuart Butler, president of Butler Seattle and executive producer of the Northwest Event Show (NES). Hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren go behind the scenes to explore the evolution of the NES from its Portland roots to an international platform, Stuart’s journey through industry disruptions, and how genuine human connection and...

Even pros need permission to let go. In this candid conversation, author, speaker, podcaster, and mother of eight Amy Liz Harrison shares the repeatable systems that keep her home—and her events—running with heart. From compostable paper-plate stations and strategic trash cans to a living “word doc” playbook anyone can follow, Amy shows how simplicity beats “picture-perfect” every time.    We also...

This week on BEATS WORKING, hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren gather at “The Fun Table” with guests Amy Liz Harrison, Kristin Graham, and Dele Downs Kooley to flip the traditional funeral on its head. They dive into the growing movement of personalized Celebrations of Life, the value of legacy-making, and ideas for making your sendoff as unforgettable as your life. From dance parties to death...

Hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren welcome Shari Leid — connection creator, friendship expert and author of "Table for 51" — to explore the art of creating authentic connections at events and in life. Shari shares stories from her project dining with strangers in all 50 states, the philosophy behind her Flip the Box movement, and tangible strategies for designing intentional communit...