John Dodds

CAFE W.O.W. - Unearthing uniqueness in business, music, writing & more

Business EN ↓ 8 episodes

Cafe W.O.W (Words of wisdom) is a place where host and barista John Dodds unearths the uniqueness of his guests and the crafts they practice. From marketing to music, podcasting to poetry and all stations in between, guests share some of the innermost secrets of their profession as well as a few of their own. Grab a seat and order up your favorite drink of choice. You can stay as long as you like at Cafe W.O.W. The longer, the better.

Author

John Dodds

Episodes

#7 Unearthing the Hitmaker: Rick Blaskey on Discovering Whitney Houston, Creating Global Anthems, and the Power of Music 09.04.2026 2:27:04

Ever wondered what it's really like to spot a teenage Whitney Houston singing in a tiny New York supper club and help turn her into a global superstar? Or how one song can bring an entire country together — even if it took a whole lot of near-misses and pure luck to get there? Join me,John Dodds, chatting with Rick Blaskey — the music insider behind some of the biggest crossover moments of...

#6 Unearthing B2B Wisdom: Paul & Nick Hague's Journey from Northern Streets to a Global Research Empire. 16.02.2026 1:25:41

Join me, John Dodds, in Café W.O.W. for a heartfelt chat with market research pioneers Paul and Nick Hague. From humble beginnings and poignant stories of growing up in Bradford and Manchester in the north of England, to building the world's largest B2B research agency, Paul and Nick team share real stories of hustle, family dynamics in business, and timeless lessons on customer experience. Dive...

#5 Unearthing the Intangible: Dr. James Gregory: Brand measurement authority, and author on Measuring Brands, Risk, and Reinvention 19.11.2025 1:02:23

From a steel-town childhood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to pioneering the measurement of corporate brand value, before leaping into award-winning fiction, Dr. James Gregory has lived many lives—and measured every one of them. In this warm, wide-ranging Cafe W.O.W. conversation with host John Dodds, the father of the CoreBrand Index shares stories from a happy childhood. He later describes his sorro...

#4 Unearthing The Art Of Performance with Jason King Jones, Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival 15.07.2025 1:30:18

Join John Dodds at Cafe W.O.W. as he pulls up a chair with Jason King Jones, Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, to unearth the heart of theater and its power to connect us all. From his roots in rural Missouri to leading a vibrant festival, Jason shares how Shakespeare's timeless words and the magic of live performance shape communities, inspire creativity, and embrace lif...

#3 Unearthing the Art of Words with John Simmons - master storyteller, and brand strategist 03.06.2025 1:49:11

Join host John Dodds at Café W.O.W for a warm, and insightful conversation with John Simmons, a brand strategist and writer who has shaped stories for global brands, penned novels, poetry, and much more. From his King's Cross roots to crafting tone of voice for companies like Guinness, Waterstones, and Air Products, John reveals how discipline, curiosity, and a notebook fuel his creative life. ...

#2 Unearthing White House Jazz and Haunted House Mysteries with award winning pianist and paranormal expert Eric Mintel 11.04.2025 1:06:12

Step into the world of Café W.O.W. with host John Dodds as he welcomes jazz composer, pianist, and paranormal investigator Eric Mintel for an unforgettable conversation. From captivating audiences at the White House to tracking down the mysterious Beast of Bray Road, Eric's journey weaves together the soulful strains of jazz with the eerie allure of the supernatural. In this episode, explore...

#1 Unearthing Desk Job Dreams and Podcast Glory with Ty Hildenbrandt, co-founder of The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast 14.03.2025 1:22:14

Join host John Dodds at Café W.O.W. for an in-depth conversation with Ty Hildenbrandt, co-founder and voice of The Solid Verbal Podcast, the nation's top independent college football podcast. From climbing the corporate ladder at Fortune 500 giant Air Products to boldly ditching stability for his passion, Ty's journey is a masterclass in chasing dreams without burning out. Discover how this Pe...

Unearthing Craft & Wisdom at Café W.O.W. with John Dodds 14.03.2025 0:58

Introduction Welcome to Café W.O.W. where host John Dodds—your barista, bartender, and guide—invites you to sip on intimate conversations that unearth the uniqueness of a rich blend of crafts and the minds behind them. And W.O.W.? Those "words of wisdom" that fill up the learning tip jar. From marketing maestros to musical virtuosos and strategic geniuses to podcasters and poets, each episode...