In this special episode, renowned author Rick Bass joins me to explore the current challenges facing wild places in our nation, especially the Yak Valley in Montana. Not surprisingly, these challenges are also present in our own social climate.
As with many challenges currently facing our nation, our community, our connection, and shared history hold the key. Whether that is partnering with the scientific community to raise awareness of climate change and its impact or lending your voice to important movements like Black Lives Matter or 350.org – the need for passing the torch is rising with every passing year.
Sharing our stories, passing on our experiences, allowing the next generation to learn from our failures and successes takes courage. Making a difference takes courage, especially when it relies on one generation changing the trajectory of the previous.
In his book, Traveling Feast, Rick connects older and younger generations of authors over a meal. As we dive deeper into that concept, we see the importance of fostering generational connection. You don’t want things you value to be lost. It is necessary to connect the generations. Share what you love. That love promotes and generates generosity. Life is full of convergences. The more opportunities we have to fulfill our obligation to pass on the knowledge and wisdom we have gained, the more stories we share, the more hope we can hold on to.
Resources:
Books by Rick Bass
The Traveling Feast by Rick Bass
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
As a former park ranger, the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World was the perfect place to stay.
Based on Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn, Wilderness Lodge looks, feels, and smells like a historic National Park lodge. Many cast members are even in custom resembling park rangers complete with the iconic flat hat.
During my stay at Wilderness Lodge, I learned a few things, as I do anytime I spend time at Disney.
Dan Cockerell, retired Vice President of the Magic Kingdom, spent two years as the Wilderness Lodge General Manager. Dan joins me on this episode of the Jody Maberry Show to give his perspective on what I learned at the Lodge.
Create a memorable first impression. When you walk into the Wilderness Lodge, you know you are someplace special.
If you are going to copy, add your own personality. Wilderness Lodge has the feel of a National Park lodge but is full of unique touches of Disney. It taught me to be inspired by something but always add my own touch to it.
You are as happy as you decide to be. Even at the happiest place on earth, you won't be happy unless you decide to be.
Make it easy for people to do business with you. Magic Bands are a good example of making it easy for a customer to do business with you. Magic Bands make the experience better but also make it easier to spend money.
Solve the problems you know guests will have. When we checked into our room, there was sun relief gel waiting for us with our soap and shampoo. Sure enough, we got sunburns and used the sun relief gel. Disney anticipated we would have a problem and provided a solution before knowing we would need it.
You can find out more about Dan Cockerell at www.dancockerell.com.
You may want to listen to the audio version of Dan's book, How's the Culture in Your Kingdom. I narrate the book, so if you enjoy this podcast, you will enjoy the book. You can find it here.
Sometimes the wisdom we need to hear is found in conversations we’ve already had. In my last episode, Jeff Brown and I shared our book recommendations. One author mentioned was Rick Bass.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Rick in 2016 for The Park Leader’s Podcast. Although that conversation was through the lens of parks and for the park leader audience, the overarching theme is one for us all.
At the very core of who we are as humans, our connection to nature and “wild” places holds our history. We have a rich past of preservation in our country. Whether you are a scientist, a politician, an author, or an everyday average person, we have a responsibility to speak up about those values we hold, especially in public. Our words, our financial investments, our time…all of our modern resources can be engaged in stewarding and caring for our natural resources. Whatever the industry or arena, silos are detrimental to growth and improvement.
Resources:
Books by Rick Bass
Grizzley Years by Doug Peacock
The Lost Grizzlies: A Search for Survivors in the Wilderness of Colorado by Rick Bass
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Jeff Noel and I talk about the opportunity for you to join us on a retreat at Glacier National Park.
As is our tradition when we have guests on, Andy Storch is back with me with three questions, which I have no prior knowledge of:
What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of running my business? I am a people person and that heavily influences my answer to this question.
What is your favorite national park and what is one you haven’t been to? If you force me, I can boil it down to two, but the winner depends on which park I am standing in at the time. I also have a few honorable mentions I need to fit in.
What is the biggest mistake podcasters make and what is the most annoying thing some podcasters do and should stop? Podcasters aren’t radio hosts, but often they try and do this one thing like a radio personality and it can be detrimental to their show.
What do post-production, monetizing podcasts and grizzly attacks have in common? These are the answers to the bonus three questions Andy snuck in by adding a part two to each question.
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
If there is anything 2020 has taught us, it is the importance of connection. Whether in personal relationships or professional endeavors, investing in connecting with people should be a top priority. Andy Storch, a podcaster, new author, and fabulous trainer just released his first book and we are unpacking the importance of investing in your network.
Reading Andy’s book, Own Your Career and Own Your Life, chapter 10 jumped out at me. The topic and challenge of purposely investing in building a network resonated. Networking can be an intimidating topic, but as Andy so eloquently explains, it isn’t doing things or making a connection for the quid pro quo. All networking is...is being intentional about showing up, genuinely, for those you connect with. Be it in person or via social media, be present, give lift to others and let them into your life. Lead with curiosity and generosity. When you can, give people a platform. Offer help without expecting anything in return.
Expectations will lead to disappointment. By building real, trusting relationships with others (without being motivated by what you can get out of it) is what networking is all about.
Resources:
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Let's spend a day together. This episode of The Jody Maberry Show documents a day of recording podcasts, videos, and other content.
People often ask me how I get so much done with 7 active podcasts and the other work I do. To answer the question, I spent a day and documented it.
Throughout the episode, you will get to join me as I record podcasts and have some conversations with some of the people I work with regularly.
In our time together, we will be joined by:
Jeff Noel: We record 3 episode of If Disney Ran Your Life.
Lee Cockerell: We recorded some promotional videos for the Cockerell Academy and recorded one episode of Creating Disney Magic.
Andy Storch: We record a couple of episodes of The Jody Maberry Show.
Dan Cockerell: We had a call about promoting The Perch Community.
Mike Simmons: We recorded an episode of the Catalyst Sale Podcast.
You will hear some behind the scenes conversation about what goes into each of the shows and projects we are working on.
Too often, we live a story someone else told us we should.
But you get to choose the character you want to be in the story you are living. Don't hang onto expectations of your parents, boss, a high school bully, or anyone else who told you who and what you are.
Who you are is completely up to you.
This episode, I use an interview from the podcast Foreward with Joe Pomeroy. During my conversation with Joe, we talked about some topics I had never discussed on the Jody Maberry Show.
Since the conversation with Joe was so good, I am sharing the interview from his podcast. This conversation will help you understand how your life is a story that is written by you. Your actions should be deliberate so your life is a story worth telling your kids about.
Disney VIP tours are a unique way to experience the theme parks.
My first VIP tour was in Disneyland. Not only did we get on more attractions than we would have otherwise because of the logistics of having a guide and the ability to get into FastPass lines, I learned more than I expected.
Our tour guide knew so much about Disneyland and Walt Disney. Nearly every ride, I learned a piece of history I would not have otherwise. She also had a story about topiaries, ticket booths, and the Tiki Room. It made for an exceptional day.
But during VIP tours, I learned some lessons.
Focus on Experiences. For people like me and you, a VIP allows us to feel like a celebrity for the day. For celebrities, a VIP tour allows them to experience the park like a normal person. In both cases, people are paying for the experience.
Make People Feel Special. This is the real charm of the VIP tours. A guide doesn't just take you around the park, they make you feel special. Disney selects tour guides who are good with people with a focus on service. Of the four guides I have been on a VIP tour with, each one has been different which led to a completely different experience. But the one thing that has been the same is how they make you feel special.
Exclusive is Valuable. I admit, one of the cool things about a VIP tour is that not everyone else is on one. You feel like you are getting an exclusive experience you would not get otherwise. Exclusive is another form of entertainment and Disney does it well.
There are people who want more and are willing to pay for it. Most people are happy with your basic offering. But there are some people who are willing to pay more to get more products, better service, or more access to you. Offer them more and let them pay for it. It is a service.
Thank you to Lee Cockerell and Dan Cockerell for contributing to this episode.
My guest today is Jeff Noel, a 30-year Disney veteran with over a decade of experience teaching at the Disney Institute. We are discussing practical tips for new speakers based on observations from past Podcast Movement keynote presentations.
As we discuss, there are many best practices in the world of public speaking. Some of the lessons we explore include vetting material in advance, giving the audience renewed hope, and relating to the crowd. With years of experience, Jeff shares in detail the ways he's matured these approaches from on-the-spot audibles on stage to preserving stage authority.
In any scenario, the key behind any tip is helping the audience come away with something. Whatever you do in practice or in the heat of the moment, act as if you've been there before.
Resources:
If Disney Ran Your Live - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-disney-ran-your-life/id1450061482
Connect with Jody:
E-mail: jody@jodymaberry.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
On a recent trip to Nevada, I had the pleasure of staying at the Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno. Reno, much like Las Vegas is a town of noise and neon. Surprisingly, the Whitney Peak Hotel is neither of these two things…and that is exactly what makes them stand out. Every other hotel tries to compete by upping the anti-so to speak-and offers more of the same: noise and neon. The Whitney Peak Hotel is a no-neon, dog, and eco-friendly facility with a focus on customer service, not filling their lobby with unending slot machines.
This got me thinking. Just because others are doing something, doesn’t mean it is the best way to do something. How do you stand out in a world of noise and neon? Look around and see what others are doing and then do the opposite or put your twist on it. Look for what makes you you, what fits you, and do it your way. Be different in the way you are different.
In a world where every arena is crowded with more of the same, dare to be the one who dances to the beat of your own drum.
Connect with Jody:
E-mail: jody@jodymaberry.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
As is our habit, when we have the honor of having a guest on the podcast, we have them back to ask me three questions. Reggie Williams returns today to rapid-fire the three questions on his mind:
What is your favorite song and why? I can’t give you a specific song, but you may be surprised at the current combo we have been enjoying in the Maberry household.
Who are the most famous people from Peoria, IL that you know? Hint – besides my granny, they include an actor, an athlete, and a government official from the Obama administration.
What was your biggest thrill in sports and your biggest disappointment in sports? From hat tricks to cheap shots, it is a pretty interesting array of experiences. We all have our Uncle Rico moments and today I’m sharing mine.
“The best day of my life is when I manage a winning game and the second-best day of my life is when I manage a losing game.” Tommy Lasorda
Resources:
Resilient by Nature – Reggie Williams
Reggie on Park Leaders:
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
My guest today is Reggie Williams, former NFL linebacker and Disney executive turned author. We are discussing what it means to be “Resilient by Nature” and how we can turn negatives into positives.
How we deal with missed opportunities and being overlooked is proof of what we are made of. When you have been treated unfairly or experienced major disappointment, you can fill the void by strengthening yourself and others. Reggie share’s his experiences with us, from running into a childhood hero when he was ready to throw in the towel or seeing how the choices he made had ripple effects beyond his wildest dreams. Reggie’s story shows us our response to adversity is what sets us apart.
Our ability to give back and influence the next generation will require us to do better, to rise above our circumstances, and embody resilience.
Resources:
Resilient by Nature – Reggie Williams
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
How often do we learn great lessons and write them down, only to walk away and forget them? It is always a good idea to review notes. Dan Cockerell and I revisit and expound on some notes I put together on a return flight from a trip to Buffalo in April of 2018.
This event in Buffalo provided food for thought, ranging from how we care for the people that always show up to the importance of mixing up the way we approach tasks. When we allow others to be part of the story and present valuable information with enthusiasm, we provide a five-star experience. Creating your own luck and being open to the unexpected are key practices, especially when paired with enjoying the experience. In life, we often fear mistakes, but the ability to do what you need to do, even when you don’t know what that is will allow us to live life with forward momentum, even if we encounter failure along the way.
Resources:
Connect with Jody:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/
Quotes:
“If you have a good story and you tell it very well, that may matter more than what an expert you are on your subject.”
How do you remain in the present moment when responsibilities start to pull at you?
Jeff Noel and I are on a final day in Glacier National Park. We are recording from a beautiful location, and I already start feeling drawn to everything I have to do.
Instead of focusing on the beauty in front of me, I am thinking about driving home. I am thinking about all of the work I have to do once I get home.
Jeff and I discuss how we can remain in the present moment when other responsibilities start to pull at us.
Just like most things you are good at, it takes practice.
Jeff explains one of the keys is recognizing you are being pulled out of the present moment. Then you can ask yourself if you can let off the gas.
One way to help you remain in the present moment is to add some margin in your schedule. That way you have less to worry about if something gets in your way and causes a time delay.
When you have invested time, money, or hope into something, how do you know when it is time to turn around?
Jeff Noel says it takes practice. You need experience before you know when you should turn around.
Experience also helps you realize when you should say No. Saying no is a good time management tool. And it can help you not sink too much time into something you wouldn't be able to stick with.
This episode will give you some consideration of knowing when it is time to turn around and walk in a different direction.
Jeff Noel and I are deep in the wilderness of Glacier National Park. After recording an episode of If Disney Ran Your Life, it prompted us to stop and record this conversation about being all in.
Being all in, reaching for excellence, can leave someone burnt out. Knowing no matter how good you do, you can always do better.
Aim for perfection and settle for excellence. Always set the bar high.
If you set the bar high and don't make it. You at least know you did your best.
If you set the bar low and make it. You will always have to live with the regret of never having known what was possible.
No breakthroughs happen from people doing average work.
If you want to have an impact you have to go all in.
What do you do when you get eh second chance at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
For me, I started by reflecting and considered how I could have gotten the most out of the first opportunity.
Jeff Noel and I team up again in the wilderness of Glacier National Park for a series of episodes in the wilderness.
Based on Victor Frankl's book, we reflect on the question, "If I had today to live over again, what would I do differently?"
Jeff and I realize every day is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We can make the most out of each day by reflection and anticipation by treating each day life an opportunity.
A while back, I shared a story on Facebook about my cousin. You can read the original post here.
The story about my cousin helped me start some conversations about race.
In this episode of The Jody Maberry Show, I share the story about my cousin. And then Jevonnah Ellison joins me to have a conversation about my story and a story she shared about tough questions white people can ask themselves about race.
Jevonnah explains when white friends speak up, black people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Courageous kindness is what it will take, according to Jevonnah, in order to have the conversations we need to have to make a difference.
As an example of courageous kindness, I share a segment from a live question and answer segment with Lee Cockerell. Someone asked Lee what he thought about athletes kneeling during the national anthem. Lee gives a strong answer, a courageous answer, standing up for what he believes in.
We round out the episode with Kelli English explaining how to have a discussion with kids about some of the terrible racial experiences from the past.
Lee Cockerell joins me on The Jody Maberry Show to discuss lessons from one of our live in-person Masterminds.
Here are the lessons we discuss.
There is no upside to being an idiot.
Be the kind of leader you would like your children to work for.
The thing you are worried about, you are the only one who knows. Other people don't know you are shy and introverted, for example.
Action is what matters. You can talk, but one great action is better than 2 great words.
Sometimes you are looking at a symptom and not the problem. Poor performance is a symptom of the problem of bad hiring.
The only thing you can leave behind and take with you is your legacy.
Don't ask a question Google could answer for you.
"Until today, I didn't know I could be great." Often, people do not realize what they are capable of until you help them discover it.
Make it easy to do business with yourself.
Learning to say "no" is the most effective time management tool.
Ask a younger person how to do better.
The most important question you can ask is, "what if?"
Slow doesn't mean better. Slow means slow. If you know what you are doing you can move fast.
If you enjoyed these lessons from Lee Cockerell, check out the Cockerell Academy.
Today, best-selling author and mentor, Dan Miller, joins me on the show to share his three questions.
Taking a more personal route, Dan and I discuss the joys of being a dad, the importance of experience-based education, and the future of Jody Maberry out to three years. Without spoiling the episode, while I hope to continue podcasting, I also plan to make several career shifts moving from behind the scenes to in front of them.
Regardless of how life looks in 2023, I’m excited about the future and what this year has taught me in terms of exploring new opportunities. No question, I look forward to making the most of them in the days, months, and years ahead.
Today, author Dan Miller joins me, and we are unpacking what it takes to create the life you love.
Dan is one of the top 4 influential people in my life. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his book, 48 days to the Work You Love, now re-released with an updated title – 48 Days to the Work And Life You Love. Life isn’t just about work. Determining the areas that carry value for us will help us steer towards our desired outcome.
We are diving deep into the mindset, perception, and belief system that makes a life we love possible. How we interpret opposition, how we define success; these are the factors that will propel us into the future. We also discuss the importance of taking action and the five steps we to making effective decisions. Dan has also graciously provided a special gift for my listeners. You can find the link in the episode resources.
Episode Resources
48 Days to the Work and Life You Love – Dan Miller
Quiz & First Chapter: https://www.48days.com/jody/