Evan Makovsky's Business Podcast

First Rate Tech Corp Founder Chris Hobbick

Evan Makovsky — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 20:20:34 +0000

After years in the corporate world, Chris Hobbick noticed a gap: small businesses with fewer than 15 employees often needed IT support but couldn’t justify a full-time hire. Seizing the opportunity, he launched First Rate Tech Corp (www.firstratetechcorp.com), a thriving business that’s now a go-to resource for small enterprises. In this episode, discover how Chris transformed challenges into triumphs—revamping his pricing strategy with the innovative “10 Pack” and turning revenue declines into a lasting surge. Learn how he expanded his services to include stunning website design and development, growing his team to ten talented professionals. But that’s not all! Chris shares inspiring success stories from clients who experienced their own “upticks” after partnering with First Rate Tech Corp. With an eye on market demands and a commitment to affordability, Chris continually adapts and thrives. Tune in for insights on reinventing business strategies, meeting client needs, and achieving first-rate results!

Virtual Acting School Owner/Corporate Trainer Benjy Dobrin of Benjy Dobrin Studios

Evan Makovsky — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 14:34:00 +0000

️Exciting news! In my latest podcast episode, I chat with Benjy Dobrin, the Founder/Owner/Instructor of Benjy Dobrin Studios. We talk about how the pandemic transformed his business moving to Zoom teaching acting and providing corporate training.
Benjy shares his experience of now having an international business instead of a Denver-based one. He also discusses the nuances and conveniences of learning acting on Zoom, including how to french kiss and fight on the platform.
Did you know that BDS provides corporate training too? Benjy has taught lawyers how to address juries and finance folks how to address investors, among other scenarios. For actors, these classes are essential to landing work, especially since almost all initial auditions in Hollywood are now held on Zoom. Take a listen to hear how Benjy is currently teaching a #WWE wrestler to talk smack. BDS is here to help you improve your skills and succeed in your career!

Benjy is a Minnesota native, die-hard Vikings fan, and he likes the band Phish. Prior to opening Benjy Dobrin Studios, Benjy was an actor in Hollywood, CA. His students range from working actors, to folks who want to do it as a hobby to learn, to people in the business world, and more. Benjy's slogan is, "Work Hard. Dream Big. Celebrate Life." Visit benjydobrin.com for more information. You can also email him at info@benjydobrin.com

Sharp Marketer Brothers Cleaners Owner & CEO Benjamin Hilker

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:25:17 +0000

If you're unemployed and have a job interview Brothers Cleaners will clean your clothes for free. Powerful stuff!! The sign in the window caught me walking by. Generous, kind, and sharp marketing! Brothers Cleaners Owner & CEO Ben Hikler joins my podcast for C-Suite Executives. Brothers is a family owned and operated dry cleaners since 1916. Putting free cleaning for job interviewee's is motion is all Ben. He reveals how the promotion came to life and the reaction it's received. One free cleaning at one of his locations has endeared him to folks and earned his business a lifetime of loyalty from customers. Compassionate real marketing. Ben also reveals the hit his company, and the dry cleaning industry as whole took during the pandemic/WFH movement with less clothes needing to be cleaned. Many don't think of this business when thinking about industries hit hard by Covid. He also fills on in on why the dry cleaning business will always be around, and won't be swallowed up by Technology/AI.

Co-Founder Matt of Matt's Flights on how they save travelers $

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:09:46 +0000

Matt Guidice, Co-Founder of Matt's Flights, joins to discuss how he flat out saves travelers $ and his business is a real life "travel hack". He calls his Matt's Flights a "new age airfare concierge". His email newsletter service is both free with a premium option which personalizes the businesses relationship to the subscriber's travel needs. Listen to the ins and outs of how he conducts his magic, how the company will track your desired trips, so you don't have to. Additionally, while price hunting is a major driver of his business, Matt discusses how not so cost-conscious folks use his service as well as they can do first class or put together multi destination trips. He outlines what his company will and won't do for the customer in putting together a trip.
Matt explains how his service superior to & differs from Orbitz, Expedia, and other flight search engines. He explains how he differs from his competitors in the space. In this interview he tells YOU how to utilize his service. He with a wink and a smile discusses how he's like Dave Matthews of Dave Matthews Band. Matt has two co-founders, but his name is on the billboard a la “Matt’s Flights”. He answers why the company is named after him. His website is mattsflights.com You can email him at matt@mattsflights.com

The Harris Poll Managing Director Rob Jekielek on the Sustainability Movement in Business

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:14:00 +0000

Rob joins my business podcast to discuss Sustainability as well as Corporate Reputation. Rob defines what sustainability is. He shares examples how corporate reputation is tied to sustainability and what companies have sustainability embedded in their DNA. Rob discusses which companies are some of the most forward thinking and acting when it comes to sustainability with their initiatives. He names names of leaders in this space. He discusses what The Harris Poll research reveals about how consumer opinions and behaviors are shaped & changed due to inflation around sustainability. In this episode Rob gives a good look, not just peek, off The Harris Poll research about what people care about in the business community as we enter the new year.

Star Realtor Asa Fleming

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:27:00 +0000

Star Realtor Asa Fleming joins my business vodcast to discuss the current climate in real estate, how he and his team have been affected, some of the fallout from the pandemic, the particulars of the housing shortage in 2022, and why he loves Real Estate. Asa also shares his background as he was born in New Haven, CT, but was raised in New York City. He found his way to Raleigh first for undergrad at NC State, then returned for a career in Real Estate. He discussed how "providing shelter" and that human need would make Real Estate a sustainable business no matter what was going on in the world. Asa also delves into principles that guide him professionally and some of the awards his stellar work has yielded him.

Ancora L&G Chairman and CEO Josh Parker

Evan Makovsky — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 17:32:00 +0000

Ancora L&G Chairman and CEO Josh Parker joins the podcast to discuss him partnering his Durham based real estate firm Ancora with a British financial services provider Legal & General Group to invest in life sciences development in emerging markets throughout the U.S. Josh Parker will oversee the operation. This is L&G's first time breaking into the U.S. market.

Josh explains why the triangle was a good starting point for this operation. He explains the reason why they plan to develop real estate around "Anchor Institutions" such as universities and hospitals. Josh discusses that both parties in the partnership are well resourced. He gets into why the life sciences space interests him as he's married life sciences with real estate. He also talks about other markets he has his eye on, and why. Take a listen to a man with a plan and visit him here https://www.ancora.re/about/

Master of the Mindset: Speaker, Author, & Coach Joe Novara

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 11:26:00 +0000

A great listen for anyone who wants to learn a thing or two about Business Networking. Joe gives live (and virtual) speeches, has written three books about business, and coaches many clients. After almost thirty years in the printing business, and a successful stint in the 90's and 00's selling real estate in New York, Joe was ready for the change to this unique career.

Joe discusses how this next chapter of his life has awakened skills and talents within him. He works with clients around referral marketing, growing their business, mindset building, networking, and more. He's studied the work of Tony Robbins, Brene Brown, and Tom Hopkins. The kinds of clients (not exclusively) he works with are Small Business Owners, Salespeople, and General Professionals in a cross section of industries that could benefit from mindset work to move past setbacks and challenges.

Joe offers good color on a person’s mindset. Joe explains firsthand how he experienced a spiraling negative mindset for years after 9/11 and saw his real estate business fall apart slowly. He explains how life is really lived inside out. Without giving too much away in this short info filled chat, when Covid hit, he applied all his lessons and kept a positive mindset learning from post 9/11. Listen to Joe explain how one can be unhappy in their life, but not get consumed and have their life fall apart even while going through a difficult time such as a divorce. Joe is about keeping the arrow pointing up no matter what is going on. Grow your network! Grow your business. Listen to this podcast and visit Joe at joenovara.com

Anger Management Coach Libby Dickerson

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:14:00 +0000

In this episode Anger Management Coach Libby Dickerson joins. Libby reveals how her personal journey struggling with anger led her into this vocation. Libby discusses perspective shifts around framing anger in our mind. Libby has had court ordered Domestic Violence offenders she's worked with and opens about that. She also reveals what the ratio of men to women is that she works with and helps explain the reasons why the ratio is what it is. Libby gives advice to listeners struggling with anger. She discusses techniques like welcoming anger versus fighting it or white knuckling it. Libby also helps folks who struggle with anger in the workplace. Libby Dickerson treats clients virtually and you can find her at https://hiiipowercoaching.com/

Burt's Bees VP & GM Mariah Eckhardt

Evan Makovsky — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 11:36:00 +0000

In the lastest episode, Burt's Bees Vice-President and General Manager Mariah Eckhardt discusses how passionate she is about the brand she's been employed by for 16 years. When you listen you may not be able to differentiate her enthusiasm as an employee of the company from being a dedicated customer. She samples and loves the products, and in the interview tells us her favorite product. Additionally, who is "Burt" of "Burt's Bees". Mariah will answer that burning question that most consumers of the popular product could not answer. And like many employers trying to navigate the hybrid vs in-office vs WFH model, Mariah takes us inside what's goin on at Burt's as it's still being navigated through, and she illustrates different scenarios of when employees that can work from home are allowed to. Burt's Bees was acquired by Clorox in 2007. The brand remains strong, and and hear why that is by taking a listen to VP/GM & Brand Ambassador Mariah Eckhardt.

Thrifty Traveler Co-Founder Nick Serati

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 02 May 2022 12:19:00 +0000

Thrifty Traveler aims to make travel more affordable for the general public. Nick discusses how he and Co-Fouder Jared Kamrowski saw inefficiencies in the commercial aviation marketplace along with great fare deals through their own travel experiences through credit card points and miles and got to know the landscape well. The site started to help people understand points and miles. They saw fare deals that were not getting properly spotlighted though and started morphing their business to quench the interest of cash saving flight deals. Nick discusses starting their own business alerting their customer base to these great options. Nick was working in consulting, while Jared was prying his career in finance. In 2015, the childhood friends decided to leave their careers and full-time jobs and start Thrifty Traveler. Nick covers how as the business has developed and the service at its core is that it's an AI search machine that finds incredible fare deals for Thrifty's subscriber base. Nick shares that while the service absolutely serves the domestic travelers, the biggest savings are seen internationally. Nick says most Thrifty deals at minimum are $250 of savings. They can be much larger.

Nick recounts over the years as Thrifty just celebrated its 7th birthday the incredible fare deals, he's seen. He also takes the listener inside the difficulties of covid lockdowns and the difficulties his business faced with most people grounded from air travel. Additionally, masking restrictions, international covid testing, airline passenger safety while flying are all factors that still play in. Nonetheless with most flights back in business Thrifty Traveler presses on to provide their passengers the greatest savings. Their subscription service is not expensive. Nick will tell you how one fare savings though their service can cover the monthly or annual subscription fee many times over. Thrifty Traveler aims to make travel more affordable for the public. Visit them at thriftytraveler.com and enter your email below to subscribe to this podcast with other c-suite exectives like Nick. You can also follow us on your favorite streaming service linked at the top.

MyStandard New Cryptocurrency Employment App Co-Founder & COO Josh Sklut

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 01:08:00 +0000

Josh Sklut tells Evan on his business podcast how he and his team at MyStandard created a service that turns the job market into a two-sided marketplace by allowing users to profit directly from sharing their data with organizations looking for new talent. As he puts it, MyStandard if giving power back to the people. The app, which is scheduled to be released in May, will allow organizations to purchase data directly from the user, with the user retaining full control over how much data they share, and whom they share it with. Josh explains this in further detail in the interview.
Josh articulates how for jobseekers, MyStandard’s first product, a talent acquisition app, will be an easy-to-use platform which allows users to own, share and monetize their professional data at every turn, giving them unique control in the career search process. Unlike current market leaders – such as LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Indeed or Monster – MyStandard users’ control who sees their data and they get paid directly for it, leaving them in the driver's seat.
Josh shares how for potential employers, MyStandard’s seamless web interface will allow organizations to search through MyStandard’s user database using familiar filters and criteria, then make an offer to purchase the data of users who meet those needs. Users remain anonymous until they agree to share their data through their smartphone app. Selected candidates who agree to move forward will receive the MyStandard token in their wallet; the organization will get an immediate indication of the candidate's interest in the position along with access to the shared data.
Over the next few months, MyStandard will begin bringing new organizations onto the platform, giving its users access to new employment opportunities they might otherwise have never known about or considered, as well as the ability to begin monetizing their personal and professional data. Get on the waiting list now at mystandard.io

The Playbook Founder & CEO Jared Friedland

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 01:01:00 +0000

As Founder and CEO of the national test prep and admissions consulting firm, The Playbook, Jared Friedland helps over 20,000 students optimize their chances of admission to highly selective colleges and graduate schools.

The Playbook provides live-online prep courses for the SAT, ACT, and a host of other exams and provides guidance on all aspects of college admissions, from helping students discover schools that match their unique preferences and aspirations to crafting application essays designed to linger in the minds of admissions officers.

In this episode, Jared answers questions about the ever-changing world of undergraduate admissions. How important are standardized tests in 2022? How can a student differentiate him or herself from thousands of other applicants with similar grades, scores, and extracurricular activities?

Jared also discusses the notorious college admissions scandal that engulfed the wealthy, powerful, and famous, along with their sons and daughters and explains how college admissions consulting can be both ethical and equitable.

Visit The Playbook's website at www.LearnThePlaybook.com to explore The Playbook’s menu of courses and programs. If you have a high school or middle school student, engage Jared Friedland and his team of admissions consultants at The Playbook.

Mardesich Communications Founder/Screenwriter/Storyteller Kevin Mardesich

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:43:00 +0000

Kevin Mardesich joins to discuss the scripts he develops for the likes of Oscar Winner Oliver Stone, to writing interactive movies for MTV, to speech and press release writing for National Geographic, and much more. Truly much more. Kevin's written not just for Oscar winners, but Emmy winners as well. He also serves the PR, Advertising, and Marketing Industries at Mardesich Communications with storytelling and content writing for his clients. Kevin also is a long time instructor at UCLA Extension. Hear Kevin discuss concurrently how his students are putting out scripts that are gaining industry acclaim in Hollywood and creating viral advertising campaigns. He loves to see his professional working students gain success even more than his own personal notoriety. Hear Kevin reveal what kind of writing is his favorite, and who is favorite writer his. Hint: You've heard of him. Kevin details how communications used to follow a certain formula until social media came along, and some of the ways the game was changed. Digital and Multi-Channel Marketing are catch phrases in 2022 but Kevin really has a multi-channel career leading Mardesich Communications and leading an ever-changing roster of students he builds long term bonds with who are applying his storytelling lessons across industries. Kevin Mardesich can be found at kevinmardesich.com

Star Jets International Founder & CEO Ricky Sitomer

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 12:22:00 +0000

Ricky Sitomer, who formerly owned a stock brokerage firm in the 90’s and used to helicopter to the Hampton's for the weekend. Ricky started looking into private jets for the top guys in the firm and discovered inefficiencies in the private jet market. He was struggling finding jets to reserve so he figured there was shortage not just for himself, but others. Listen to how he in 2001 Ricky sold his stock brokerage firm but brought a "stock brokerage business model" to the private aviation industry raising $1.6 million from family and friends and opened Blue Star Jets in 2001. Ricky sold Blue Star Jets in early 2016 & he did 800 million dollars in revenue during his 15 years of ownership. Ricky then decided to go hang out in the Hamptons. But his phone started ringing during the summer with Blue Star Jets clients, and Clark Kent decided to go back to being Superman in October of '16 launching his current six-year business Star Jets International. Earlier this week, Ricky filed an S-1 to uplist to NASDAQ within the next 45 days. OTCMKTS: JETR
Hear Ricky tell the story of Star Jets International, and how they are ahead of the curve developing an "Expedia" type app that allows one to order a jet on their phone, and four hours later be inside a private jet. He gives the bevy of Private Jets and Helicopters offered to his clients to fit their specific needs. Hear him describe the varying size of people he can put in a jet including up to 250. "Any Jet. Any Time. Anywhere." is Star Jets International's motto, and hear Ricky explain why. Ricky also discusses how the pandemic helped his business and 2020's revenues topped 2019, and 2021 topped 2020. In 2022, as he feels we are coming out of this pandemic, business is strong at Star Jets International. He details his client split between business and leisure travel. While Star Jets International is headquartered in NYC, Ricky details all the areas around the world Star Jets International services. Ricky gets into what he sees in the future in 5-10 years for the private aviation consumer. Hear from a man who has started multiple business and is truly comfortable "piloting" Star Jets International where the future is bright. https://private-jet-charter-flight.com/

Mr. Crisis/Corporate Reputation John Margaritis

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 21:55:00 +0000

John Margaritis joins the officially named "Evan Makovsky's Business Podcast" to discuss his 2022 services running John P. Margaritis & Associates. John discusses his 40 years of success across the public relations, utilities, consumer and luxury products, retail, energy, and pharma industries. He has provided consulting services to clients in nearly every business sector. In today's constantly changing Covid world where companies must adjust on the fly, John reveals in this interview how to best stay flexible throughout an ongoing ever-changing "crisis" where curveballs are the norm.
Speaking of curveballs, John didn't represent the players, or the pitchers who threw curveballs, but he did the owners who paid their salaries during the '94 Major League Baseball strike. While it was a long time ago, John shares some lessons that are still applicable and changes he had implemented around giving every foul ball to a fan by ball boys, not just balls that land in the stands.
John has held top leadership positions with PSEG, Ogilvy PR Worldwide, FleishmanHillard, Burson-Marsteller, and more. While many companies have internal communications and marketing department, John speaks up and describes why both outside agencies and consultants bring value to the table that can't come from inside and organization. Take a listen to a man who's done it all, and is the "Ghostbusters" of crisis communications. No phone number to call here rather drop John Margaritis an email at jmargaritis77@gmail.com

VMLY&R Global CEO Jon Cook

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:01:00 +0000

Jon Cook, among other attributes, humbly lists being a “good listener” as one of the traits that has put him & keeps him in his current position overseeing 13,000 employees in 44 different countries as Global CEO of VMLY&R. VMLY&R creates “connected brands”. Jon joins the podcast and first describes the incredible growth he was part of the merging of VML & Y&R (Young & Rubicam) in 2018 becoming CEO of VMLY&R. Jon articulates how this all was launched after he first joined VML's Kansas City’s office in 1996, having a meteoric rise from Assistant Account Executive to President to CEO. In ’96 VML had 30 employees in KC. Jon grew that number to 3000 employees across six continents, collecting and multiple Advertising Age “A-List” honors.
Fast forward to 2018 – and big things happened. VMLY&R was formed: a global marketing and communications company specializing in advertising, digital, social media and mobile marketing, sales promotion, direct marketing, and brand identity consulting. Jon details how his duties on the job may change he works hard every week/day/hour to balance “three things”: VMLY&R’s Business, Work, and Culture.
Jon shares VMLY&R’s verticals that among others include Technology, Healthcare, Automotive, and “Quick Service” (Fast Food). VMLY&R clients include Ford Motor Company, Intel, Google, Dell, Campbell’s, Colgate-Palmolive, AstraZeneca, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Pfizer, Sherwin Williams, United Rentals, U.S. Navy, and Wendy’s. Hear Jon give an example of “connected brand experience” work with longtime partner Ford Motor Company. VMLY&R oversees “customer experience” which include digital functions at Ford Motor Company such as the FordPass App to managing the advertising for Ford. Between managing those two functions, branding and advertising, VMLY&R creates a connected brand experience impacting the consumer and their relationship with the product.
Jon shares how he’s still managing an ongoing two-year pandemic across not just different US Cities, but 44 different countries with varying virus effects & mandates. Jon explains that he can’t put in a unilateral rule down except “safety first”. Each office and city has it's own covid-specific conditiions and working decisions are made around each location. Diversity Equity & Inclusion is of major league importance to Jon & VMLY&R. Jon tells how it has been prior to “May of 2020 & George Floyd’s murder”. Jon continues to make VMLY&R strive everyday to make his organization a leader in DE&I. Jon explains his personal attachments and reasons behind his invovement in such causes as “Head For the Cure”, an organization which fights brain cancer, and the "National WW1 Museum & Memorial" in KC.
Jon is proud he is running a global firm out of his hometown of KC and how lucky he is to love hs company & its accomplishments so. He credits the people he's worked alongside (some for two decades) during his 26+ years at VML, now CEO of VMLY&R. Finally, Jon discusses why he is hopeful 2022 involves more travel, and personal interfacing, but understands future conditions may be uncertain, but whatever they are VMLY&R plans to ride the wave well for their clients.
VMLY&R is a subsidiary of WPP. Jon has led VMLY&R as global CEO since the agency was established in September 2018. The agency is a worldwide marketing force with more than 13,000 employees in 44 countries; principal office locations include Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. Jon is a member of the WPP Executive Committee. https://www.vmlyr.com/

The Simplifier: Walk West's Mike Manganillo

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:52:00 +0000

At Walk West Mike Manganillo is known as "The Simplifier", and this applies to his job too. He's more of a COO/"Mr. Hands Across Multiple Agency Functions" in a VP of Marketing's clothing. Thus, he wears the title of VP of Marketing. But to hear Mike explain Walk West's accomplishments at a leading Branding Agency his cross-agency contributions are apparent. From client campaigns, agency awards, events he’s help put together, and more he is “working the corners”. The real reason though, Mike is called “The Simplifier”, and he will give examples in this podcast worth hearing of how the marketing world in-particular over complicates the service, even down to a capabilities deck to a prospect, Mike gets rid of the "ancillary".

Additionally, he perpetually rolls a question around in his brain always wondering, along the lines of "why are we doing this?" A question that should be asked certainly more in the agency world, but not exclusive to it at all. Are these actions tied to the bottom line? Mike, who relocated from the New York City area to the Raleigh area over a decade ago takes us back to his early days in NYC agency life, and the notable brands he's had a chance to work with in both markets, and valuable experience he procured leading up to his successful tenure at Walk West. He is also a networker and is VP of Communications for the Triangle Chapter of "The American Marketing Association. (AMA)”. Listen to "The Simplifier" provide some business common sense, and give you questions to think about when it comes to one’s own work approach. https://walkwest.com/our-team/mike-manganillo/

Bob Costas

Evan Makovsky — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:58:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! This is a throwback for a separate podcast I'm working on and in development with a partner, THIS IS ONLY THE INTERVIEW PART OF THE PODCAST WITH BOB COSTAS, not the entire podcast. This was the pilot from January '21. On this pilot I am joined by my old NBC Sports former boss and colleague Jeff Sleed as a Co-Host. In this pilot we are deep diving the issues surrounding the world of sports.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS WAS TAPED IN JAN '21 1/26/21 TO BE EXACT. Pre-Vaccine administration to most Americans, on the day Larry King passed away, and days after Henry Aaron died. Costas has great stories of both. Including dining all the time for breakfast, sans plans, at Larry King's favorite Beverly Hills Deli, when he was in town staying at a nearby hotel while in LA to call a game. Larry was there without fail every morning, and Bob takes us inside their interaction upon seeing each other at the restaurant. Not to mention he sub-hosted for Larry King's CNN show many times. Bob goes deep to discuss the racism Henry Aaron faced breaking Babe Ruth's All-time HR record, and him warming back up to baseball over the years. Bob comments on both those issue. This was days before Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Curt Schilling for the 9th year were denied admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now Bonds, Clemens, and Schilling face their last year of eligibility (year 10 on the ballot) Costas intuitively (listen) didn't think they would get in year nine, and gives his reasons why. But also, his thoughts on year 10 on all three players' chances as the ballot gets even more crowded with the likes of Alex Rodriguez --Costas discusses his case, David Ortiz--Costas discusses his case, Carl Crawford, Jimmy Rollins, and more. Costas even goes down the list of players not just Bonds, Clemens, A-Rod (admission), Ortiz (one failed PED test in 2003 during baseball anonymous survey testing), but others who well let him give his opinion on the likes of Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and more...
Costas discusses Covid and sports (pre-vaccine), and this taping was during the changing of Presidential Administration (end of January) and Bob discusses the "White House" visits under Trump, which included boycotts, and no-shows. It was mixed during Trump's four years with pro and college championship White House visits, and how he saw a different President only affecting that issue.
Take a listen to the person I consider as intelligent and articulate a person walking planet Earth. Jeff & I ask the questions, he answers them, and his answers never disappoint. While it's my opinion, 29x Emmy Winner Bob Costas is the Sportscasting GOAT. Bob currently hosts his new show "Back on the Record" on HBO Max, works for MLB Network, and is a CNN contributor.

Hirsch Leatherwood CEO & Co-Founder Steven Hirsch

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 12:53:00 +0000

As Hirsch Leatherwood, a "Strategic Communications" firm, approaches it's first anniversary, Steven Hirsch gives an engaging confident podcast interview. Steven also happens to be MY former intern from 2010-12 when I hosted my sports radio show, "The E-Mak Show" in St. Louis. Steven helped produce, do research, book guests, and sales/business development while obtaining his undergraduate degree at Washington University. Mr. Hirsch is polished on the air too! Back in college he also did summer internships at WFAN 660 AM in NYC and as an avid Mets fan, spent a summer interning for the team's TV network, SNY. He also honed his writing skills at "Wash U." publishing a regular Cardinals blog, obtained press credentials to their game, and showed great drive and dedication early on. But upon graduation, Steven pivoted and went into Public Relations. He also passed on a job working for the St. Louis Cardinals out of Wash U., and tells us what the job offer was, and why he decided against that, and instead headed west.

Steven starts the interview present moment, and details HL's five verticals, and how HL came to be. PR is only 25% of what HL does. Listen to hear the other 75%! Hear Steven explain in specific detail why Hirsch Leatherwood would be the hire of choice versus a competitor with similar services. HL has hired people that are great writers, worked on the largest of accounts across brands and verticals, and how he views writing as a "performance art".

In less than a year, HL has 12 people working for them, 20 clients, and the future is bright! HL is based out of New York with an office space there (still hybrid WFH model), but already has clients nationwide, and will hire remote practitioners keeping pace with 2021 quickly evolving world. From attending school in the Midwest, to heading to San Francisco for a few years for his first job out of college, Steven has experience living in different parts of the country and is now transacting business around the country. Steven retells the story of meeting his Co-Founder Evan Leatherwood working at SJR, Hill & Knowlton's strategic consultancy innovation shop. Prior to moving over to SJR, he worked directly for H&K. At SJR he moved away from PR, so that's a hint to find out more about HL's diversified suite of services. While working in San Fran & after Steven gathered a lot of cutting-edge technology communications experience. He's worked with sports brands such as ESPN, and many others while at SJR, and now HL.

Steven details on why he decided against sports broadcasting upon graduation, how he's still involved in sports and communications, and feels Zoom instead of TV/Radio is his medium, and he's fine with that, and is scratching that on-air itch presently. He comments on whether owning and running a company was ever an active goal of his. He has interesting/surprising answers to that question, and others. Steven is exceptionally bright, articulate, and this is a good listen as to why Hirsch Leatherwood may be the firm you might want to hire for your strategic communications needs. Take a listen to a fast-paced chat, with the host’s old employee, who’s already in less than a year with his co-founder built something special and niche. Find Steven Hirsch at hirschleatherwood.com

Aria CBO & Former 16 yr CMO of the GRAMMYs Evan Greene

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:18:00 +0000

After an impressive 16+ year run as Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy running the GRAMMYs, Evan Greene is now Chief Business Officer overseeing strategy for next-level technology company Aria. Evan discusses the diverse verticals and relationships he is developing across industries, leveraging Aria's proprietary AR engine and revolutionary NFT exchange as Aria seeks to disrupt the areas of Talent, Media, and Brand Partnerships. He breaks above down in the podcast in layman's terms.

Evan then covers his 16+ year run as CMO of The Recording Academy running the GRAMMYs. He details the work he did putting together the music industry's biggest night and most prestigious awards, dealing with the world's largest names in the music industry. Evan discusses how the Grammys have evolved, how he persevered in the uber-competitive entertainment business, and how leaving CU Boulder he knew this was the route for him. Evan also discusses the GRAMMYs' "black eyes", like the sad and tragic Milli Vanilli scandal, which predated his tenure. But situations like that reared their heads and involved ongoing damage control for Evan well after the fact. Evan also tracks the evolution during his tenure at The Recording Academy of the changing business model of the music industry from physical albums > Napster, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Shazam, and more. Also how album's became less of a revenue generator compared to live concerts and festivals for artists, and how that did and didn't affect the GRAMMYs.

Evan also is the co-founder of 3 Emerald Marketing, a data-based strategic consultancy driving innovation in the passion-fueled areas of music, sports and entertainment. Greene also spent a decade at powerhouse studios Disney and Sony, overseeing global partnership strategy for some of Hollywood's biggest franchises.

Evan reveals his biggest strength as a marketer across all his jobs and verticals, which he credits his success. Take a listen to a "Hollywood Mogul" give a detailed playbook in the midst of a great career, and the steps he took along the way to his latest endeavor at Aria. https://thearianetwork.com/

French West Vaughan Chairman & CEO Rick French

Evan Makovsky — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 01:11:00 +0000

Rick French, who is as much an entrepreneur as the word entrepreneur affords, joins my podcast to share his journey founding PR/Advertising/Digital firm French West Vaughan in 1997. FWV had its best year in 2020 during the pandemic and '21 is significantly outpacing '20. Rick shares the reasons why from circumstances, to active decisions in strategy, FWV thrived during the pandemic. Upon starting French West Vaughan and being HQ'd in Raleigh, Rick would not take on a local Raleigh client for the first two years. Rick wanted to build national and international credibility for his business. He did just that procuring clients around the country and internationally for his Raleigh based firm giving it the complexion he envisioned at the turn of the century.
Rick, who's a Detroit native, discusses how he was recruited for a job in Raleigh and ended moving down from Motown, liking it, and finding his way. He details his firsthand experience of witnessing the Raleigh/Durham market explode with growth culminating in Apple and Google announcing the establishment of campuses in Raleigh & Durham respectively.
Rick takes us inside his many professional endeavors. On top of running FWV Rick produces major Hollywood films, owns the Daytona Tortugas, who are the Cincinnati Reds minor league team, and invests in a football/hockey helmet technology company aimed at pro and college sports, and much more. The turnstile of "to-do's" is constantly revolving for Rick French.
Rick also shares the extreme story of how before he entered the business world, he was a professional tennis player, when he was assaulted and stabbed six times. The grueling rehab he was facing among other factors led him to put down professional tennis, and allowed him to move into other parts of his professional life where he had more of a chance than tennis looking back. He shares his perspective of gratitude after suffering this unfortunate victimization, and how his perspective changed around life's ups and downs. Rick French is always looking forward. FWV has won many awards over its 25 year history and is up for more in 2021. Take a listen to someone who's firm is thriving in the fast paced ever changing world in 2021. He's pulling the strings there along with his great FWV team. He's also involved in multiple businesses and investments yielding fruit. A good listen to someone who has the pulse of 2021 achieving great pandemic results for clients, French West Vaughan Chairman & CEO Rick French. fwv-us.com

Understood Executive Director of Communications Joanna Roses

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:50:00 +0000

Understood Executive Director of Communications Joanna Roses discusses her important role at Understood. Understood is a social impact, non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who learn and think differently thrive. Joanna discusses how Understood acts as resource for children and students who learn and think differently. From names like Dyslexia to ADHD, Joanna articulates a few examples of these differences. She also conveys Understood's importance and how, from teacher's to parents, understanding that their student or child learns and thinks differently is vital to both the child and the caretakers health and well-being. This must be accounted for in the teaching and raising of the child. Understood provides resources for children who learn and think differenly that may not take or respond to teaching or parenting that doesn't account for their differences. Many of said differences are rooted in brain chemistry that can't be "coached" or "disciplined" out of the child. It may not be the child's choice, rather they need to be undertstood.

Joanna addresses how her work at Understood is extermely important to the world, but she views all the communications jobs she's held as all important. Including most in the for-profit world from working on the agency side to SAS. She's excelled communicating in various different verticals and touches on some of them. We also learn what two attributes are Joanna's greatest traits as a communicator! Listen, it makes sense with her current work at Understood!

If you're a parent, teacher, or neither take a listen to a versatile communications professional convey the work she's doing. While Understood is not a counseling center, it's a great resource for parents/caretakers/teachers and in-turn their children to educate themselves and provide their children with the best possible chance to succeed! Listen to Joanna, and then visit Understood to see the amazing work her and her colleagues are doing!

Catapult President Matt Chollet on driving revenue & growth for Catapult's clients

Evan Makovsky — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:49:00 +0000

Benefitting his clients around terms like "growth" and "revenue" and driving those ends interest Matt Chollet more than phrases like "new business". Matt is about to celebrate his five year anniversary at Catapult, where he's been serving as President since December of '19.
In our podcast discussion, Matt recalls how the world changed shortly after he took on the President role. He shares Catapult's services and verticals. He discusses why while rejection is part of the job & never fun, it's mostly not personal in the business world. He gives a peek into his journey from early in his career coming to terms and depersonalizing it, and ascribes for the listeners all the factors that aren't in one's control for a sale to materialize or not. So Matt focuses on what he can control, and that is presenting Catapult's specific value-add to the prospect the best he can.
Matt also takes us inside his mindset around his job duties, how Catapult's business has changed the last five years, his time in Florida, Atlanta, attending playing baseball in the northeast, and then making his way back down south, where he's settled as President for a thriving growing agency. Matt also is a triathlete, outdoorsmen, and analogizes how that physical motor transfers to his professional motor around delivering growth and revenue these days for Catapult's clients! There is a competitive crossover too! Matt takes us into a mind strategy session of his in the middle of a rock climb! It's a great story of a President of a thriving fast growing agency who is churning and solving new challenges every day. Ultimately Matt and Catapult are succeeding at achieving revenue and growth for Catapult's clients. In this podcast, Matt details why! https://www.catapultnewbusiness.com/matt/

GRAMMY Museum Chief Program Officer Rita George

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:41:00 +0000

A pleasure and honor to have the GRAMMY Museum Chief Program Officer Rita George as a guest. Rita recently moved into the CPO position after years as Chief Operating Officer. Rita joined the GRAMMY Museum in 2008 when it opened. She has overseen everything under the sun from curating the museum, to curating 100+ travelling exhibitions, to managing staff, to DE&I initiatives, and MUCH more! As part of the leadership team, George provides support to the Museum's President and Board of Directors, policy development and HR initiatives.

Rita describes how hard the museum was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic closing to visitors for 15 months, and gets into the entire music industry and what's she's seen behind the curtain since March of 2020. The GRAMMY Museum, which is located in Downtown LA adjacent to Staples Center, had to pivot to entirely virtual galleries and Rita managed that. Rita also discusses all the music education programs she has helped assemble at the GRAMMY Museum and throughout the country. Additionally while the museum is a support system for the annual awards, the exhibitions are not beholden to them. The exhibitions don't just hone in on said artist's history with The Grammy Awards, rather the displays (photos, music, tour videos, & more) are a look into said artist's entire career around music.

Prior to joining the GRAMMY Museum, Rita worked for 13 years at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, OH and was part of that opening in 1995. She discusses her favorite induction ceremony performance (which the host agrees with), and discusses building up that museum as "Visitor Services Director." Rita also delves a bit into artist's she gotten to know and developed a rapport with. Rita also tells the great story of how she was hired away by the GRAMMY Museum in 2008. Take a listen to an interview with a C-Suite executive who deals in the business of music education, proliferates growth of the industry, wears many hats, and hear first hand someone's heart and soul fully immersed in their work. Rita George is an Ohio native and graduate of THE Ohio State University. www.grammymuseum.org

Riemer & Braunstein LLP Managing Partner Mark Appelbaum On Opening the Firm's Newport Beach, CA Office

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:34:00 +0000

Mark joins the podcast to discuss this exciting new Newport Beach, CA office opening as Managing Partner. Mark delves into why this westward expansion for national Riemer & Braunstein makes sense and gives the firm a whole new reach. Prior to this recent office opening, Chicago is the furthest west Riemer & Braunstein has had physical offices in the US during its 85-year storied history. Mark details the benefits to clients, prospects, and potential employees of having an office in California. Some of those benefits Mark touches on are the size of California's economy to the ability the firm has to staff California licensed attorneys with local expertise. He also describes why his skills & experience practicing law in California for 18 years representing real estate lenders with respect to the origination, administration and restructuring of real estate secured loans and unsecured credit facilities, with a focus on high-value balance sheet lending align perfectly with what Riemer & Braunstein specializes in. Mark puts the cherry on top too, not just giving the professional benefits and major companies surrounding the new office location, but the personal perks of living in Newport Beach/Southern California from geography to networking! He expands on the Covid-19 Office/WFH outlook he has planned, as well how many new attorneys he expects to employ. Listen to this podcast about an A+ law firm (Riemer & Braunstein LLP) taking its brand west from the man they tapped to open and build their new Newport Beach, CA office, Managing Partner Mark Appelbaum. www.riemerlaw.com

Safari Energy Director of Marketing & Communications Darius Razgaitis

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:26:00 +0000

Darius joins my podcast to discuss his marketing and communications duties at Safari Energy, and how Safari serves the solar marketplace. Darius outlines in detail why the future is bright for solar moving forward. He explains how the pandemic affected Safari's business, as well as his marketing and communications duties. Darius also articulates how after a long time working in the agency PR world he moved over to the client side, and how the agency world helped prepare him for this opportunity. He gives a good explanation for all marketers and communicators out there drawing on the various verticals he's worked in, why marketing and comms is a transferrable skillset across industries. That said, Darius loves the work he's currently engaged in at Safari. He touches on projects Safari is currently involved in and why the company has a great future from the area of work they are engaged in, to the tremendous competent colleagues Safari has to serve their clients! Darius has a great background and this interview is a quick hitting education on solar, Safari Energy, marketing, and communications. Listen to an industry vet lay it all out! www.safarienergy.com

Nineteen88 Strategies, LLC Founder & CEO David Albritton

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:22:00 +0000

David joins the podcast to discuss his new business Nineteen88 Strategies, LLC a consulting firm he launched this past May. Incredibly unique circumstances caused David to found his firm that are truly admirable. David delves into how he had just started and was hired as Vice President of Communications at Amazon Web Services when his daughter was heartbreakingly diagnosed with Leukemia. With said situation at that point David felt he could not give AWS the time nor have the schedule flexibility to tend to his daughter and admirably resigned from Amazon. A month and a half later he founded Nineteen88 Strategies, LLC. He details why he named his company such and 1988's suite of consulting services from Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Public Speaking, DE&I, to Business Strategy. He also details his time cut short working at AWS, different high ranking positions he previously held at General Motors, General Motors Defense, and Exelis. Additonally he discusses how his undergraduate and graduate education at The United States Naval Academy prepared him for his career and served his life. This is a fascinating interview with a true entrepreneur who walks the walk & was inspired by Morgan Freeman's famous line in The Shawshank Redemption, "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying." David has chosen to get busy living! Hear his journey and find him at https://www.1988strategies.com/

Airshare Chief Marketing Officer Andy Tretiak

Evan Makovsky — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 19:46:00 +0000

Airshare CMO Andy Tretiak joins my podcast to discuss the growth of the aviation business and the leisure travel company he spearheads marketing for. Andy delves into the shift caused by the pandemic away from commercial air travel to flying privately. He articulates the advantages for the customer with Airshares' business model by charging by the day versus by the hour that many competitors implore. Alone that can save businesses and leisure travelers substantial costs. Airshare also flies Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes's family from Tyler, TX to all of his NFL games and back. We learn about Airshare's large midwest footprint (HQ KC, MO) and is in process of expanding to serve the entire country. Addiionally Andy has such a diverse marketing background across multiple verticals working for various employers, that not only has prepared him for this Airshare opportunity, but he's also been a plug and play superstar from the sports vertical, to the UX/UI vertical, to now avaiation. A great education by a top marketer on the benefits from health, to money, to effciency of flying private in today's day and age whether it's for businesses to use for employee travel or leisure travel by families or individuals. www.flyairshare.com

B.J. Talley Founder & President Gladius Communications

Evan Makovsky — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 19:38:00 +0000

B.J. Talley joins our latest episode to discuss Gladius Communications which he founded in 2019. B.J. takes us through the impetus that made him make the jump after a 20 year very successful run as a corporate communications lead and other high ranking positions at many major employers including working as a civilian public affairs officer with the US Navy. B.J. takes us through how his diverse background prepared him to make this leap to entrepreneurship. He discusses a couple interesting account projects he's worked on over the years worth a listen. B.J. details Gladius Communications' philosophy he developed,, and how he best serves his clients to set them up for results from the moment of engagement. Gladius specializes in M&A work, spinoffs, employee onboarding, and exit interviews. They also do crisis and corporate communications, and much more. B.J. also takes us on his path to return to his home state of North Carolina after 20 years living in a myriad of great cities crafting his career. Chapel Hill, N.C. is home to him, where he went to college at UNC with his wife, and it gave them both as well as their daughter the opportunity to be close to family. B.J. also started his firm in 2019 shortly before the pandemic, and he chronicles the initial shock and challenges to a new business owner the pandemic presented, and how Gladius had to adjust as they were just building clients. With that said, Gladius has come roaring back in 2021, and B.J. gives his outlook on the PR industry which is in demand currently, as well as designing Gladius Communications "location agnostic" model for the the new ways of the world. He also sprinkles in the interview advice to people thinking about launching their own business, and to PR practitioners both starting and in the middle of their careers. An exciting deep dive with a forward thinking entrepreneur forging a successful company on the cutting edge of the PR space. Enjoy! www.gladiuspr.com

Kevin Jennings Co-Owner of Urban Food Group

Evan Makovsky — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 20:24:00 +0000

Kevin Jennings, who Co-founded & Co-owns Urban Food Group with his wife Stacey Jennings, takes the audience into his journey starting in the restaurant at age 15. Kevin met his wife in Atlanta when she was out of college with a Business Accounting Degree. Kevin had a life plan to open a restaurant, and Stacey had worked with small businesses and had restaurant experience as well. Kevin discusses moving on to Charleston in 1995 working in the restaurant business and then to Raleigh in 1998 where they launched Urban Food Group. Kevin discusses the climb from opening one restaurant to the nine they have now. He covers how he's had setbacks and failures along the way including restaurants that have failed. But Kevin and Stacey have persevered and now Urban Food Group has nine restaurants in four cities across two states. In this interview Kevin reveals what the crown jewel restaurant is for Urban Food Group. He also discusses why so many restaurants fail, and what advice he gives to people who tell him they want to open up a restaurant. Once that is said to him, he asks those people some specific questions. Kevin also discusses what it's like to co-own a business with your spouse, and how it's worked out, but could be challenging for other couples. He expounds on how he couldn't do the business side without Stacey. Kevin also gets into what life was like during the pandemic in 2020 when he had to close his restaurants for three months, suffer unavoidable financial losses, and layoff staff. But Kevin then delves into onboarding some of that staff back, and his hope for Urban Food Group the rest of 2021 as some Covid restrictions have come back. Lastly he tells us what's on the horizon for both him, Stacey, and Urban Food Group. Kevin Jennings is a true restauranteur and entrepreneur. Take a listen to his fascinating story.

Jeremy Tudor Founder & CEO of Career Brand Story

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 21:48:00 +0000

Jeremy Tudor is the Founder and CEO of Career Brand Story. Jeremy discusses how real world life experience spurred him to open up his own marketing business that, among other services, helps folks garner employment. Jeremy discusses all the aspects of what he views as a marketing business: landing the prospect turned client, giving the new client talent insight assessment tests to draw out their professional skills and properly align them with industries that suit them, rewriting their resume and Linkedin profiles, coaching them for interviews and much more more. Jeremy also launched his own podcast at Career Brand Story, and is building his clients video resumes. He also discusses how his business is growing and how he just uprooted from Raleigh, North Carolina to Nashville, Tennessee market. Jeremy also gives his thoughts on how the pandemic has affected working world, from WFH to reporting to a physical office. He also expounds on his passion for not just working with clients, but for working with his "remarkable" team of employees, and in that lies deep caring he brings to the table. www.careerbrandstory.com

Patrick MacElroy Director of External Communications Black & Veatch

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:50:00 +0000

The ever so personable Patrick MacElroy, who at one time was a Medieval History major is now Director of External Communications for Black & Veatch. Patrick discusses how this occurred, how Black & Veatch serves the marketplace, his day-to-day duties for B&V, how the pandemic affected & changed both his duties and how business was conducted at B&V. Patrick also compares the career challenge of handling the pandemic to a previous crisis when he was working in Washington D.C. Patrick also tells a unique story about how he landed the job at Black & Veatch, his diverse communications background, and what his greatest strength is as a communicator. Take a listen to the end and find out what the future holds for Patrick MacElroy! He also throws in some anecdotes about the experience commuting into NYC during the middle of the pandemic, which was a ghost town, and Evan corroborates! An insightful interview with a top flight communicator for a leading international company that's been around for over a century (1915).

Terra Carmichael StockX Chief Communications Officer

Evan Makovsky — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 01:28:00 +0000

StockX Chief Communications Officer Terra Carmichael on the thrill of her job at an exciting forward thinking 2021 company, how the pandemic hit soon after she started in December 2019, and what challenges she and StockX faced, how communications during the pandemic stacks up as a career challenge for her, her career working in communications across many different verticals with unique challenges, how she really lives in the present moment, and how her first job out of college at Makovsky has led to lifelong friendships. She also takes us through a timeline of how communications worked, changed, and evolved, from her career starting in the 90's where lunching with reporters was the norm until now. Terra picks out what qualities that her make her an effective communicator. Terra worked at Makovsky in 1996 when Evan Makovsky was a college summer intern. A fun reconnection with StockX star CCO.

Joe Cohen CCO & CMO Of Axis

Evan Makovsky — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:13:00 +0000

Joe Cohen joins and discusses what Axis does, his day-to-day duties at Axis as CCO & CMO, how they were affected by the pandemic, how agency life primed him for working on the corporate side, why he never worked in broadcast journalism due to circumstance after majoring in it with the host at Syracuse University, and how rewarding his current opportunity is.

Ray Jordan CCO of Moderna on their Covid-19 Vaccine & much more....

Evan Makovsky — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:41:00 +0000

Ray Jordan CCO of Moderna discusses joining Moderna out of retirement in March of 2020 as a consultant, then becoming CCO in June of 2020. Ray covers Moderna's application for FDA approval submitted last week for their Covid-19 vaccine. Ray also covers the difference between "emergency use" approval to "FDA Approval" and all that entails. He also explains the phases he communicated around from vaccine production (which was started many years ago), to its distribution, to its efficacy, to its safety, to his role communicating around it all. Ray also gives the history of Moderna, the future, and what his personal future is after he was pulled out of retirement for one of the biggest world health crises in world history. This is a fascinating topical educational interview with a key communicator of a company present moment in the world spotlight.

Kathy Heilmann VP of Marketing Shoals Technologies

Evan Makovsky — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 17:28:00 +0000

Kathy Heilmann discusses her new role she was hired for this past March as VP of Marketing at Shoals Technologies Group. Kathy discusses how Shoals just went public prior to her arrival this past January, what her marketing duties are at Shoals, how she is building out a practice, her background that led her to marketing and back to solar, and how she views what the function of marketing is.

Michael Reid EVP & Global Head of Corporate Communications at PIMCO

Evan Makovsky — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:55:00 +0000

Michael Reid discusses his role at PIMCO, how it changed during the pandemic, crisis communications, his background as an editor for Dow Jones, working as a crime reporter in New Zealand his native homeland, and why he uprooted.