What's Your "And"?

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 veganism through his travels and the use...

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 lead to moments of clarity and contr...

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 resilience th...

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 manager ...

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 getting to know...

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 magical m...

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 incorporates his outdoor experiences...

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 extensive record collection of over 2,500...

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 positive atmosphere for his staff. Mike'...

Michelle Kooi, the founder of Confluence Coaching and Consulting in Durango, Colorado, talks about her passion for outdoor activities, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and skiing. Michelle shares how these activities help her alleviate stress, learn new things, and ultimately improve her work and life. She discusses the importance of authenticity and embracing one's passions beyond their professio...

In this episode of What's Your "And"?, host John Garrett sits down with Rafael Casas, the Director of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships at QuickFee. Rafael emphasizes the importance of discipline and work ethic, as he has honed these skills through playing soccer. He values the lifelong friendships he made on the field and highlights the importance of putting in time and effort. As a captain of his teams, he learned crucial lead...

David G. Ewing, CEO of Motiv, shares his passion for robotics coaching his son's high school team in Austin, Texas. He highlights the importance of building teamwork and structure within robotics programs and talks about the intense but rewarding 12-week competition season. David emphasizes the positive spirit of competition, where teams support each other and foster camaraderie. He also explains how coaching robotics can translate...

In this episode, Mark Mirsky from KRD in Chicago shares his experiences in balancing work and his passion for coaching soccer, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance. He also reveals how his love for soccer led to unexpected connections, including a memorable trip to London to watch Manchester United play at Arsenal. Through their conversation, Mark highlights the significance of finding one's "and" beyond their profession...

In this episode of "What's Your "And"?", host John Garrett sits down with the vibrant and multi-talented Emily Ackerman, the Director of Business Development at LGT in Dallas, Texas. Emily's journey takes us from her early days in public accounting to her love for music and performing. She shares the importance of embracing our human side and discovering hobbies that bring joy and creativity to our lives. From fostering dogs to coo...