Hyphenate - Conversations with Connectors: Recent Episodes
Matt Rotondo
A HYPHENATE, by my definition, is someone who possesses a mix of imagination, fearlessness, hustle & resilience.
Hyphenates connect dots to make things happen.
Over the years I’ve gotten to know a number of people who turn ideas into action.
On this podcast I talk to a wide range of people who’ve all done incredible, impressive things.
But more important than what they’ve done, is HOW they’ve done it.
I wanted to make this podcast for anyone with an idea, or ambition, or frustration they want to do something about. Because starting something or changing something is hard.
My guests have an optimism, sense of possibility and resolve that’s infectious. When you hear their journeys and defining moments, you can’t help but feel inspired.
Inspired to change your industry? Want to pave a new path? On today’s episode I talk to Dr. Jason Johnson about his journey as a young outdoorsman and vet enthusiast to becoming the youngest veterinarian school dean in history and reimagining what a curriculum should be to create a more market relevant graduate.
We’re exploring:
- Jason’s path to veterinary medicine and becoming the youngest dean in history
- What a theriogenologist is and why he was electro-ejaculating bulls the day after graduation
- Moving out of his comfort zone as a private practitioner to finding a stride for teaching
- The opportunity he seized to build a new curriculum in the Caribbean
- Receiving a call to establish the newest vet school in the country and why this was so revolutionary
- The motivation Jason had to create a brand new curriculum and the amazing results that brought for his graduating classes
- How he built a new platform for success while creating a sustainable business model
- Getting recruited to be the Global Chief Medical Officer for IDEXX
- What attracted Jason to move to the corporate space and finding alignment in the values of his new company
- How he found traction to offer virtual care for pets through the VVCA
- The elements he believes are essential for vet students to succeed
- Jason’s dreams for the future and what he would tell his younger self
- And more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
After his college graduation, Mike hit the road in an RV to interview leaders across America about how they got to where they are today. On today’s episode I talk to Mike Marriner, President and Cofounder of Roadtrip Nation, about how that powerful trip led to the development of a social enterprise and the opportunities it creates for students across America to take road trips that empower them to define their own roads in life.
We’re exploring:
- The library of 8K videos over 18 yrs that they have created and 3 of Mike’s most memorable interviews
- How a huge time-out after medical school and one long drive created a movement!
- Why social media as a tool could be holding you back from making connections
- How Mike got past the gatekeepers and got his foot in the door with some important people
- A big lesson he learned about documenting his ideas
- How an opportunity from Nike’s Vice President propelled their enterprise forward
- The release of the book, Roadtrip Nation: A Guide to Discovering Your Road in Life, and what that did for their visibility
- How they have incorporated a project-based learning curriculum and what their non-profit is doing for underserved communities
- One of the MOST IMPORTANT factors in career success and how it is not equitably distributed
- What Mike believes everyone needs on their career journey and how Roadtrip Nation can help make that connection
- And more!
Roadtrip Nation: https://roadtripnation.com/
Roadtrip Nation Education: https://roadtripnation.org/
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
Do you have big ambitions? Want to become a successful writer in Hollywood? If so, you have to listen to this week’s episode! I talk with Hollywood creative force Michael Brandt about his years in the industry - from Brad Pitt leaving his first project, to teaching Quentin Tarantino something he didn’t know, to creating the hit television shows Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Join us as we get into how he found success in this tough industry and some practical advice he learned along the way.
We’re exploring:
- How Michael pivoted from a career in sports to a successful 20 year career writing with his partner in Hollywood
- The process he went through to get to L.A. and the MOST practical advice he was given when starting out in the film industry
- Getting to know Robert Rodriguez and showing Quentin Tarantino something he thought was fucking awesome
- Receiving a 200k option against 2 million for his first script!
- Saying yes to writing The Fast and the Furious sequel while driving 120mph on the freeway
- His pivot into television and the amazing compliment he received from the creator of Law and Order
- Michael’s advice for anyone with the ambition to pursue writing in Hollywood
- The best way to get a script to someone that matters
- And so much more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
The journey from military kid to advertising powerhouse to addiction counselor is a long and complex one. On today’s episode, I get deep into a conversation with Christian Wolfe about the road that led him from a professional career in advertising to finding contentment in helping others. Join us in this powerful conversation as Christian takes us through his journey with an honesty and full heart that truly left me speechless.
We’re exploring:
- Christian’s early life as a military kid and what led him to a career in advertising.
- Imposter syndrome and how it played a role in his life.
- Feeling uncomfortable in his own skin and the darkness of addiction.
- The important moment when he literally tasted his own addiction.
- A moment for Christian on a subway platform that led to the realization that he needed to change his life.
- The inspiring shift in his life from addiction to recovery.
- Why he is so grateful for the lessons he learned while in advertising and how that has played a role in his relationships.
- The unmistakable presence of God and why Christian got into seminary study.
- A powerful piece of advice he received in jail and why he reminds himself of this every day.
- Christian’s advice for someone who might be wondering if they have an addiction problem and what to do about it.
- And so much more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
If you'd like to hear my story email me: matthewr0000@gmail.com
http://hazeldenbettyford.org/
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Are you passionate about finding solutions to hard problems? Want to be the next great innovator of your generation? If the answer is yes, this episode is definitely for you! On today’s show I talk with John Sheldon, Chief Marketing Officer for SmileDirectClub and a powerful innovator and problem solver in the digital space across a range of industries. We dive into his journey from consulting to overseeing and implementing his creative ideas and how he has successfully transformed the digital presence for numerous companies across the world.
We’re exploring:
- The best advice he’s received in business.
- 2 things he does everyday to reconnect him to what is important.
- His passion for building love for brands and how that translates into his work.
- The 3 part cycle that keeps repeating itself in his career.
- Falling in love with e-commerce and digital marketing and how he sensed the direct to consumer wave early on.
- The ONE attribute he needs someone to have on his team and why it’s essential for success.
- Finding his value in the marketing space and playing to his strengths.
- The big thing he did for Mastercard in Africa.
- Recognizing patterns in business and how his obsession with reading helps.
- His “Sink Meetings” and how you can use this tool to become a world class business.
- His advice if you are feeling stuck and the muscle he needed to build to be able to do it!
- And more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
On today’s episode I give you part 2 of a talk with Dany Lennon. In part 1 we focused on Dany’s story. In part 2 we delve into the lessons and learning, not only that Dany had, but how she helped shape some of the most influential people in marketing, media and entertainment.
We’re exploring:
- Learning to love yourself
- Dany’s special ability to “see” people as they really are and their true potential
- How she got the nickname, “the good news lady”
- Why Dany doesn’t recommend developing yourself as a brand, and what she teaches instead
- The biggest thing that holds people back from success, and why she believes you shouldn’t fear it
- And so much more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
On today’s episode I give you part 1 of a talk with Dany Lennon, a powerhouse casting director who has taken her curiosity and passion for people into the creative world to make things happen. We get deep into her origin story, from the entrepreneurial sensibility instilled in her from childhood, to becoming The Beatles’ “girl friday”, to her many creative transitions that ultimately led to a life of her own design.
We’re exploring:
- Dany’s desire to become Kate Hudson in “Almost Famous” and her exit from school at age 16.
- Her entry into advertising from a coincidental meeting with a guy at a bus stop.
- The limited paths for women in advertising in decades past.
- How she got herself in the door at Condé Nast in London and her advice for you to get in, anywhere you want!
- Her tip for you if you’re thinking about going to work in the publishing and editorial world.
- The one thing she gives freely that not enough people do and why it keeps her going in the industry.
- Why she loathes the label “recruiter”.
- Her advice for young people who have a drive to take a risk and create something.
- And so much more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
My guest on today’s show is no stranger to making a transition in the professional world, but how does one go from dominating in the music industry to starting a business in CBD products? Chewy Smith comes on and takes us through his years as a giant in the music industry and gets into his unique shift to building a successful brand in the cannabis space.
We’re exploring:
- Chewy’s early appreciation for music and racial injustice as seen through song.
- How tour managing affected his life and relationships.
- Working with the who’s who of the music industry.
- His fascination with the wellness and medical side of cannabis.
- How he recognized a gap in the market and the pivot to his current industry.
- The motivation behind the creation of his hemp derived, organic, and non GMO CBD products.
- A few of Chewy’s secrets to creating a brand that separates itself from the rest.
- The practical steps that he took to get into the wellness industry.
- A BIG difference between his brand and the others in the medical cannabis industry.
- How he pivoted his new business at the start of Covid.
- And more!
Also Organics: https://alsoorganics.com/
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
On today’s show I welcome Gina Hadley, co-founder of The Second Shift and champion for women in business. She shares her story of growing up a New York City kid to founding a company that is owned by, run by, and focused on women with the goal to keep women working and smash the idea that everybody has to tow the same line.
We talk through:
- Gender dynamics and the way she “got into the room” and made herself visible.
- The transitional moment in her life that changed her professional trajectory.
- How she uses her company to create a pathway for women in the professional world.
- The challenge outside funding can present to a new business and how Gina worked around that path.
- Why she thinks New York is an extraordinary city for female entrepreneurs.
- The over-achiever model and the common thread among women starting a business.
- Her big advice for women who are thinking about stepping out of the business world.
- And more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
On today’s episode I’m joined by a unique guest: saxophonist, college student, and entrepreneur, Eduardo Gonzalez. He’s sharing his story of tenacity to make things happen, how he finds and uses inspiration to help others, and his journey into entrepreneurship starting and running two businesses before he has even left college. Listen in to learn how Eduardo hyphenates.
We’re exploring:
- How COVID changed Eduardo’s plans, like so many others, and inspired his first venture into entrepreneurship
- His inspirational motivation to use his gifts and passions as well as help others
- How he plans to continue growing his business while balancing an engineering college course load
- And more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
Hire Eduardo for Sanitizing Services in Nashville: https://www.mcsanitizing.com/
Music performed by Eduardo Gonzalez
On today’s show I talk with Marshall Eskowitz, an innovator for the interest of brands in the entertainment space. He pioneered live stream concerts in the early days of Covid and has found ways to pivot in an industry that often gets disrupted.
We talk through:
- Finding his ownable lane in the music industry with the choice to specifically represent a brand’s interest.
- How he guides clients to strategically spend their money in the music space.
- The important role the music industry plays as a marketing tool for brands.
- Amplifying a marketing message by applying it through the lens of entertainment
- And so much more!
How do you go from growing up on a farm to singing with Sonny and Cher to becoming a mega-agent for some of the world’s largest country music acts? On today’s episode my guest, Rod Essig, is sharing his story of how he did just that by seeing opportunities… and going for them.
In today’s episode we’re exploring:
- Rod’s experience being drafted into the military and how he got to sing with Sonny and Cher
- How he signed and built relationships with artists such as Taylor Swift and Jim Croce
- The way Rod determines who he works with
- Where his positivity comes from, and the message from his dad that has stuck with him for years helping him stay upbeat
- How live music is evolving in the time of COVID
- And more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
If your instincts have told you that the commercial path isn’t right for you, then you might have something in common with today’s amazing guest, Heidi Kelso. The simple default would be to call her a TV Producer, but through Heidi’s journey and professional transformation she has proven to be a creative force not only in media, but also the world of fashion.
In today’s episode, we discuss adapting to what the market dictates and the move from long form programming to short form content. We discuss how her global travel led to her transitional wardrobe line and the importance of listening to her gut. She talks us through some advice for achieving big goals and using instinct to guide you and much more!
Connect with me online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
Who knew lessons from improv comedy could help with special education teaching? Today’s guest did just that. In today’s episode, Assiatou shares her story of how she learned to break away from people pleasing, listen to her intuition, and lean into what her soul aches to do. Join us as we explore her journey from aspirations as an actress, to how she found her passion for early childhood special education, to comedy, and how she connects the dots to excel at it all.
We’re exploring:
- The moment Assiatou started to stop putting her parents’ desires before her own and started following her own dreams
- How a spontaneous offer to volunteer at a preschool and a special 3.5 year old student sparked her passion for early childhood education
- The sudden family medical emergency that triggered her move to follow her intuition and start doing improv comedy
- And more!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
Popular culture has a massive influence on our collective lives and this effect has never been greater or more deliberate. In today’s episode, I talk with my lifelong collaborator Jae Goodman. Jae is a massive presence in marketing and entertainment, creating brands and meaningful content in innovative ways. Join us today as he shares his story of how he hyphenates.
We discuss:
- How his formative years molded him and ultimately led to his career as a writer.
- Actual culture vs. interruptive culture and the move out of traditional advertising.
- The moment he realized advertising wasn’t the career for him, and the steps he took to change careers.
- Advice for others with creative ideas who don’t know what to do with them.
- The role resiliency, humility, and collaboration played in his professional life.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HyphenatePod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyphenatepod/
Starting or changing something is HARD. That's why I created this podcast; for anyone who has ever had an idea, ambition, or frustration they want to do something about.
Join me, Matt Rotondo, every Monday for inspirational interviews with guests who have all turned ideas into action and share an optimism, sense of possibility, and resolve that's infectious.