Jeff Noel and I recorded this episode from the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR.
During this episode of the Jody Maberry Show, Jeff and I discuss the benefit of recording a podcast live in person.
We also give a behind the scenes look into recording the first episode of season 5 for If Disney Ran Your Life.
After recording the first episode, Jeff decides we could do better. So we regrouped and recorded the season-opening episode one more time.
In the pursuit of excellence, Jeff used feedback to understand he could do better. Feedback is a tool for excellence.
If you have a clear understanding of where you want to go, one piece of feedback could be the spark you need to make a change that moves you closer to excellence.
Jeff Noel reminds us, the only way you can succeed is if you are willing to fail. Some feedback can be tough. But you have to willing and open to hearing feedback if you are committed to excellence.
If you want to follow along and hear the final episodes of If Disney Ran Your Life as Jeff Noel and I create them, you can find the podcast here.
A couple time each year, Lee Cockerell and I host a Creating Magic Mastermind event in Orlando.
Even though I host the event, I learn as much or more than people who attend the event. And I take notes.
In this episode, I share the 8 new things I learned during the last Creating Magic Mastermind event.
Lauren Davis returns to the show to ask me three questions.
If you were making so much money you couldn't spend it all, what causes would you give your money to?
My focus would be to help fund foundations and friends groups that support parks. My time as a park ranger helped me realize what benefit parks are to communities. Most parks are underfunded, understaffed and falling behind. If I had the money to do so, I would fund organizations that work in parks and conversation.
How do you deal with feeling overwhelmed and stressed?
Usually, I have several projects going on at the same time. If it begins to feel overwhelming, I select one project and get everything else out of my way.
My next step is to take a big task and break it down into as many steps as possible. First, I write down the end result I need. Then I list every possible step it would take. Break it down to as many small steps as possible. Once I have all of the steps written down I pick the next right step and I do it.
In 40 years what do you think you will be the most nostalgic about?
Without a doubt, I will look back at the time my kids lived at home and feel it was the time I was on top of the world. We spend more time with our kids when they are adults than when they are kids.
After resisting getting involved with Instagram, I finally began posting photos.
Instagram became my favorite social media platform, but I was reluctant to use Instagram stories. Finally, I posted an ongoing story when I took a trip to Florida.
The response was delightful. Every day, I received comments, messages, emojis, and questions. More than anything else I have ever done on social media, Instagram stories was getting people more involved with what I was doing.
Now I am hooked. And I want to do better.
When I want to get better, I talk to an expert. When it comes to Instagram, the expert I turn to is Lauren Davis.
Like me, many people get intimidated or frustrated trying to use social media to add some life to their personal brand. Lauren Davis makes it easier for me, though. She explains it in a way where I feel social media is easy to do because I only have to be myself.
Lauren's expert social media advice has been featured by Huffington Post, Reader's Digest and NailPro Magazine. As people realize how good she is at what she does, she has been making the rounds as a popular podcast guest.
Listen in as Lauren helps us understand how to build relationships with Instagram stories.
You can find me on Instagram at @SugarJMaberry.
Lauren can be found on the web at Lauren Davis Creative and on Instagram at @LaurenDavisCreative.
Whether you know it or not, and whether you like it or not, other people are telling a story about you.
Here is an example, when my wife and I went out for dinner, we ran into a friend. Just the night before, we saw our friend's boss at an event.
When I mentioned seeing her boss, my friend said. "He's not a fan of people."
Whether he knows it or not, this is the story his employees tell about the boss when he is not around. He is not a fan of people.
Here is what you have to understand about the story people tell about you...there is an onstage story and a backstage story.
Backstage is your co-workers, your family, and your friends. People who know you when you are not performing.
Onstage, which includes social media and other parts of your story actively in front of people, you can craft a story that looks good. But what about people who know you when you are not performing. What do they say about you when you are not around?
What if you found out people were saying something about you like you are not a fan of people? Is that the story you want to be told?
Jeff Noel joins me to discuss how you can help shape the story people tell about you.
Jeff reminds us, the essence of you or your brand, is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says your name. If what comes to mind for people is out of alignment with what you want them to think, you have some work to do.
Lori Allen joined us last episode to talk about success. Now, Lori returns to ask me three questions.
What is your favorite book?
Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell. One of the best business books in the past 20 years.
QBQ by John Miller. When I was a park ranger, I had everyone who worked for me read this book.
The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt . Most people don't know of this book. But there are some fantastic business lessons in the book.
Which National Park is your favorite? And which one would you bring your kids, too?
Glacier National Park is my favorite. It is my park. Yellowstone National Park is the park I enjoy taking my kids to. There is so much to learn and explore. And the chances of seeing wildlife is high.
If you could change one thing about the way you were raised, what would it be?
When I was a kid, my father had cancer. Maybe this is not directly tied to the way I was raised, it impacted the way I was raised. And no kid would want their father to go through what my father went through. So if I could pick one thing to change, it would be that.
If you are interested in starting your own podcast, join me in the Podcast Magic course.
Lori Allen and I have worked together for years on the Great Escape Radio Podcast.
Now, we have retired the podcast, but I wanted to share Lori's incredible story with you.
Lori begins by talking about why it is difficult to tell your own story. So many of us can promote someone else but have trouble sharing our own story.
We don't share our story because of the risk of being vulnerable and failing. Instead, we try to fit in by being like other people.
In this episode, you will also hear the unorthodox and surprising method Lori used to get a job.
Lori also shares the story of realizing there was a need in the marketing place and finding a way to solve the problem. Great Escape Publishing is the product of Lori understanding what people wanted and finding a way to provide it.
One of the best lessons you can learn from Lori is about what it takes to be successful. Success, quite often, is made by what you don't see. You see the fruit of success, not everything someone did in the background to make it happen.
Tesla recently introduced the Cybertruck. On the first day, you could do so, I pre-ordered a Cybertruck.
For the past 10 years, I have driven a Montero I paid cash for. Car payments are not something I have any interest in.
So why would I pre-order a Cybertruck?
First, I can say I pre-ordered a Tesla. If nothing else, it is worth $100 just to be able to say that.
Even better, from now until the vehicles are available sometime in 2021, I get to imagine what it will be like to own and drive a Tesla Cybertruck.
The biggest reason I pre-ordered the Cybertruck, is I plan on getting one. But there is more to it than getting a new car. If I am driving a Cybertruck, it means there are many things I did right between now and then.
Those are the best goals you can set. A goal in which you will have to become someone you currently are not in order to make it happen. If a goal doesn't stretch you, it may not be worth considering a goal.
For Tesla, for the next year, there are 200,000 people who get to say they have pre-ordered a Tesla. The word of mouth about Tesla to come from the pre-orders is priceless.
What can you do in your business that is different enough from other people so they talk about you?
In this episode, three people join me who went through the Podcast Magic course.
Mike Sizemore, Cory Carlson, and Melissa Detweiller ask me questions about podcasting and we discuss the opportunities created through a podcast.
What got me interested in podcasting and what did I hope to accomplish?
My first podcast, The Park Leaders Show, was originally going to be a blog. But Jared Easley showed me the light and I launched a podcast instead. The show was launched with the intent to keep me connected to parks, but it turned out to be so much more.
What are some of the opportunities created by podcasting?
For me, a whole new world has been created. My first podcast led to a second, which led to a third, and so on until I had 8 active podcasts. Also, I have done coaching and consulting, narrated audiobooks, got speaking opportunities, traveled the world, been interviewed for a reality show and so much more because of podcasting.
What was my biggest fear about podcasting?
At first, I didn't know where to begin. Then, once I recorded, my biggest fear was that my voice was bad.
What has been your greatest challenge in doing podcasts?
The three toughest parts of podcasting are editing, creating new content every week, and still being willing to do episodes when it feels like no one is listenting.
Was there a tipping point where you decided you were all in?
For the Park Leaders Show, it was episode 10. By then, I was getting connected to people I had not previously known and this helped created momentum. Personally, overall, it was the launch of Creating Disney Magic. Once this podcast was launched I was all in on podcasting.
Were there any interviews over the years that you regret?
No. There are some interviews that could have gone better. But I am grateful for every interview I have gotten to do.
If you are interested in starting a podcast, check out my new course Podcast Magic.
Steve Anderson returns to the show to ask me three questions.
Steve Anderson joins me to talk about his new book, The Bezos Letters.
"When you change what you see, what you see changes."
Notable Moments
00:00:54 - The Value of Taking Risks
00:05:25 - Reflecting on the Wilderness Experience
00:08:59 - Grizzly Bear Encounters
00:12:49 - A Special Encounter with Grizzly Cubs
00:13:41 - Encountering Wildlife in the Wilderness
00:15:00 - Staying at Granite Park Chalet
00:18:23 - Embracing Adventure and Risk
00:20:48 - Hiking and Wildlife Stats
00:24:32 - Cost vs. Experience and Investment
Outdoor adventures have a number of benefits on creativity. It is part of what inspired Jeff and I to record our podcasts at Glacier National Park. The challenge of trying something unconventional, like recording a podcast in the middle of a million-acre park, was such a unique wilderness experience.
Jeff's willingness to take risks and step out of his comfort zone, whether it's recording a podcast or facing wildlife encounters, reflects his adventurous spirit. The experience at Glacier National Park not only enhanced his creativity but also instilled a deeper appreciation for nature's wonders.
I hope you enjoyed hearing the episodes of Jeff and I in the Wilderness. Each episode brought it’s own insight, while constantly weighing the cost versus the experience of recording in the wilderness. The experiment to take the show into the wilderness proved successful on several fronts. For starters, the risk revealed what worked, what didn’t, and how similar opportunities could benefit. On the flip side, the series underscored the need to incorporate external elements into the experience.
There are times when the cost isn't justified by what you get in return. It can be hard to justify a cost unless you look at the experience. And then suddenly, things like a week in the wilderness of Glacier are a bargain. In short, for a podcast to succeed in the wild, the setting is just as important to the content as the conversation itself.
Frame things as, "Is this a cost, is it an expense, or is it an investment?” When you change the word and look at it differently, investment, it was absolutely an investment. When you only focus on the cost, you're not seeing things.
When you change what you see, what you see changes.
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
Notable Moments
01:43 – Creating something kind to offset the noise of social media
03:38 – Why 60 seconds fits social media and our attention spans
04:12 – Choosing what to capture: sound, light, movement
06:16 – Being “off brand” and why it still matters
07:35 – Enrichment from giving without expecting anything in return
08:59 – Reconnecting with the everyday beauty in your own backyard
10:52 –Why this work matters, even if it’s personal
Not everything needs to lead to a sale. Some things just need to make someone smile.
In this episode, Jeff Noel and I are recording from the edge of a cliff in Glacier National Park with Swiftcurrent Glacier in the background. No Wi-Fi, no distractions, just two friends reflecting on something small but meaningful: my Minute in Nature videos.
If you’ve followed me on Instagram, you may have seen them. One-minute clips of birdsong, mountain streams, or wildlife. No branding. No pitch. Just a little quiet. These moments started as a personal experiment to offer something calm amidst the chaos of social media.
Jeff and I explore how it started, why I kept going even when I wasn’t sure it mattered, and how these simple videos have become meaningful to others—and grounding for me. We also talk about how doing something just because it brings joy can often resonate the most.
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
“Patience helps you wait. Perseverance gets you through. Persistence shows up daily. Positivity makes it worth it.”
Notable Moments
02:36 – A behind-the-scenes look at how Jody creates content ideas
03:53 – P #1: Patience – What it took for that flower to grow here
05:46 – How patience helped Jeff’s career move from Disney to entrepreneurship
07:47 – P #2: Perseverance – Growing (or building) through hard conditions
09:36 – The adversity in entrepreneurship and the value of not quitting
10:48 – P #3: Persistence – Showing up every day, even when it’s routine
12:16 – The difference between persistence and perseverance
13:25 – P #4: Positivity – The brightness needed to thrive and lead
14:47 – How choosing positivity is a discipline—and an amplifier
15:13 – Jeff’s life hack: Gratitude fuels positivity
When you can grow on the side of a mountain, you can grow anywhere.
In this Glacier episode, Jeff Noel and I are recording from 8,200 feet, right next to a fire tower and an outhouse with the best view in the world. As we sit overlooking Swiftcurrent Glacier, we reflect on something small but powerful: a single wildflower growing in the most unlikely place.
That plant, surrounded by nothing but rock, wind, and cold, sparked an idea I’ve been sitting on. The Four P’s of Success: patience, perseverance, persistence, and positivity. Normally, I’d let an idea like this brew before recording. But today, I invited Jeff to work it out with me in real time.
Together, we talk through how each “P” shows up in that flower and in our own journeys as business owners and creators. We don’t have a perfect story or polished formula—just a conversation from the edge of a cliff, inspired by nature and a wild idea that might just grow into something beautiful.
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
“I’d rather take a risk today than live with regret tomorrow.”
Notable Moments
00:45 – Why Jeff thinks differently and what brought them to the wilderness
02:22 – The mindset behind recording in remote, wild places
03:24 – Why taking creative risks often leads to the best breakthroughs
04:52 – The value of in-person recording—and going beyond expectations
05:40 – Jeff’s philosophy: risk leads to discovery
06:18 – “What if it doesn’t work?” vs. “What if it does?”
08:10 – The power of asking, persistence, and avoiding regret
09:27 – Compound interest of small risks; keep moving forward
10:53 – When failure still means you’ve moved forward
11:35 – Lee Cockerell’s mindset: try every door
12:29 – What persistence says about character and commitment
The best conversations happen outside your comfort zone. Sometimes even 13 miles from the nearest road. This episode is a true adventure. While sitting on a mountain pass, Jeff Noel and I discuss the rewards you can get from taking a risk. Jeff and I hiked 13 miles into the backcountry of Glacier National Park. No Wi-Fi, no cell service, no backup plan. Just gear, grit, and a shared belief that sometimes, the best way to lead is to leap.
We recorded this episode sitting among glaciers, mountain peaks, and bighorn sheep, talking about risk, creativity, and why Jeff approaches his podcast If Disney Ran Your Life so differently. We share what happens when you do something no one else is doing. Not for the attention, but because it unlocks new possibilities. Jeff reflects on leaving Disney, breaking the rules of content creation, and what he’s learned from doing things the unconventional way.
We also talk about the fear that stops people before they start and how flipping the question from “What if it doesn’t work?” to “What if it does?” can change everything.
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
Notable Moments
00:29 – Jody and Jeff Noel head into Glacier National Park to record
01:45 – Inspiration for the idea and Jody’s personal connection to Glacier
03:27 – Capturing the behind-the-scenes of Jeff Noel’s creative process
04:02 – Why Jeff is doing this: unique locations, spontaneous creativity, and energy
06:11 – Raw episodes coming up: no music, no extras, just wilderness conversation
06:29 – Podcast Magic course is now ready!
07:54 – Podcasting can go far beyond a studio
This episode kicks off an adventure I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. It combines wilderness, creativity, and a little bit of podcasting magic. I’m heading into Glacier National Park with Jeff Noel to record episodes of his show If Disney Ran Your Life. We will record a few for this one, too.
Why are we doing this? Because the best ideas come when you leave your comfort zone. When you change the environment, you change the experience. Jeff and I are taking that literally. We're backpacking into the backcountry to record raw, meaningful conversations without scripts, without polished intros, and without limits.
I’m calling this an experiment: three to five episodes recorded on the trail, released consecutively over the next few days. It’s about content and creativity in motion. And it’s a reminder that podcasting isn’t bound to a studio. You can take your message anywhere.
If you’re wondering what it looks like to say “yes” to something unusual, you’re about to find out. This week will take you behind the scenes of what happens when two friends, two microphones, and one national park collide.
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
Scott Barlow returns to ask me three questions.
Scott Barlow joins me to talk about using your own unique strengths to find success.
Mike Brennan returns to ask me three questions.
Mike Brennan talks about creating something every day.
I sent down to talk with Park Ranger Shelton Johnson.
We may have broken LinkedIn. Mike Simmons joins me to talk about it.
Here are some lessons and observations from Podcast Movement in Orlando.
David Hancock returns to ask me 3 questions.
David Hancock joins the Jody Maberry Show to talk about the power of attending live events.