Eric Gray, the founder of Maverick Content Studio, returns to ask me a few unscripted, unexpected questions. His first one got right to the point: “What’s a surprising thing you learned about Disney executives?
There challenges many of us face in staying relevant, both in our personal and professional lives. The surprising yet relatable journey they go through in feeling relevant after leaving their high-impact roles. I shared an amusing anecdote about Dan Cockrell's encounter at Disney’s stables that perfectly encapsulates this experience.\
Next, Eric switched gears and asked about the book I’ve gifted the most. My answer is one tht is short, impactful, and I even gave it to my park ranger team back in the day. It offers profound insights and has made a significant impact on those I've shared it with, both during my time as a park ranger and beyond.
Eric's final question led me to recount one of the strangest sights I've seen in the wild: a majestic animal munching on a mop at Glacier National Park. It’s a reminder of how even in the most serene natural settings, unexpected—and often humorous—moments can occur.
People stories could fill a book, but the deer eating a mop takes the cake for now. Thanks to Eric for such engaging questions.
Connect with Eric
Eric on Instagram
Eric on LinkedIn
Connect with Jody
About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry
"Create interesting valuable content and invite people in to participate. That's the community side that will build an audience. And when you build an audience you can do anything because they know, like, and trust you.
Leaving a "dream job" for the unknown can be daunting, but it can also be the most fulfilling decision you'll ever make. When Eric Gray left his "dream job" as the Senior Director of Content Innovation and Fan Engagement at Universal Studios to start Maverick Content Studio, it wasn't because it was easy or an obvious choice. The decision was emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainty. Read the blog for more about what steps he took to move through that decision and how it set him up for success.
Connect with Eric
Eric on Instagram
Eric on LinkedIn
Connect with Jody
About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry
"How do you untangle a really hard knot? Just a little bit at a time."
Notable Moments
00:40 Liz's success on the show Survivor.
04:20 Looking to revitalize an existing email list.
08:08 Reintroduce podcast, set expectations, communicate updates.
13:01 Repurpose relevant podcast stories to content shared nationwide.
16:40 Include personal stories/photos in emails.
18:53 People love parks, talking, and engaging together.
23:12 Starting an email list as a beginner.
24:21 Mix free and paid content in newsletters.
28:17 "The Email Sound Booth" podcast and connecting with Liz
If you’ve let your email list go cold, it’s never too late to reignite it. Years ago, I was all in on an email list for my Park Leader Show podcast. It was tailored for park rangers and park professionals. But then…life happened. The list fell silent, and I felt disconnected.
I have wondered if I should I scrap it. If I were to bring it back, do I apologize for my absence?
Enter Liz Wilcox, the "fresh princess of email". Liz, who you might also know from her incredible run on Survivor, gave me game-changing advice. Read about her tips on how to restart your email list.
Connect with Liz
Podcast - The Email Sound Book
Website - Liz Wilcox
Connect with Jody
About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry