In this episode of What's Your "And"?, Jeff Towberman, the finance supervisor and controller at the North Saint Paul School District in Minnesota, shares his profound passion for baseball. Jeff recounts how a childhood experience at a San Francisco Giants game with his grandfather sparked his love for the sport. Over the last forty years, Jeff has channeled this passion into playing and then coaching baseball at various levels, including youth leagues and high school teams. He emphasizes the life lessons baseball can teach, such as teamwork, resilience, and the importance of knowing one's role. Jeff's story highlights how his dedication to baseball has positively influenced his professional life and personal connections. Listen in as Jeff and John discuss the intersection of sports, work, and life.

Episode Highlights

· Coaching baseball has allowed Jeff to positively impact the lives of young players, teaching them important life lessons beyond the game. · Jeff believes that baseball, like life, requires understanding individual roles and working as a team to succeed. · Jeff's lifelong love for baseball is deeply intertwined with his personal and professional life, including coaching at different levels and inspiring others. · Jeff emphasizes the importance of providing a supportive environment for kids in sports, recognizing that their time on the field can be a crucial escape from personal challenges.

This week's guest is Elsa Hirl, a financial assistant at Maquoketa State Bank in Iowa and the vibrant personality behind Momma Hirl's Baking. Elsa shares her passion for baking, which she attributes to her grandmothers and her early experiences making cinnamon rolls in junior high. She talks about how her baking journey and then sharing her "And" with others has bolstered her confidence and helped her break out of her comfort zone. Elsa also touches upon the joys of holiday traditions and the importance of balancing work with personal passions. Listeners will enjoy her humorous anecdotes and the heartwarming story of how her family came to appreciate her Christmas cinnamon rolls.

Episode Highlights

· Baking is deeply ingrained in Elsa's family history, with her starting to sell baked goods in junior high. · Works as a financial assistant while also managing her baking business, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passions alongside a career. · Pursuing and sharing her passion for baking has helped Elsa build personal confidence and step out of her comfort zone. · Sharing personal passions (like baking) at work helps in creating more meaningful human connections and improving workplace culture.

Bill Casey, the Deputy CEO at MGO, talks about his passion for music and car restoration. He shares memories of learning the guitar in high school and playing in various bands, emphasizing the importance of practice to stay proficient. Bill discusses his experience performing live many times in Chicago, highlighting the need for preparedness and teamwork in both music and work environments. He also talks about the significance of having hobbies for relaxation and creativity, seeing them as therapeutic ways to balance life's stresses. Further, Bill underscores the value of understanding colleagues' personal interests to build better communication and relationships in the workplace. Throughout the episode, he notes the importance of recognizing employees’ broader capabilities beyond their job roles.

Episode Highlights

· Engaging in personal hobbies like music and car restoration can foster relaxation, creativity, and better team dynamics. · Regular practice is essential for maintaining proficiency in any skill, whether it's playing guitar or delivering work presentations. · Providing and receiving constructive feedback in a positive manner is key to improving performance, be it in a band or at work. · Recognizing employees as more than their job roles and valuing their broader capabilities can enhance workplace culture and decision-making.

Anthea Bell, an embodiment and transformation coach and host of the Finding Your Way Home podcast, shares how walking in nature and mindful movement have been instrumental in her personal and professional transformation. She explains her journey from a demanding corporate career to becoming a coach focused on holistic well-being. Anthea emphasizes the importance of connecting with one's body and surroundings to counteract the stress of modern life. She also discusses the significance of connection and community in improving mental and physical health.

Episode Highlights

· Movement and walking in nature are essential for balancing life's stress and maintaining mental health · Transitioning from a corporate job to a coaching career emphasized the importance of connecting with one's passions professionally · Understanding and respecting the mind-body connection can significantly aid in personal and professional transformation · Genuine human connection and community are crucial for well-being and overcoming the stress of corporate environments · Being open to evolving and expanding beyond your current role or situation can lead to greater fulfillment and authenticity

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).