Going Deep with Aaron Watson

Zak Slayback returns to the podcast after a 317 episode hiatus. He’s here because he’s ready to help even more people with his new book, How to Get Ahead.   It builds off of Zak’s talk at the 2018 Going Deep Summit where he laid out his framework for building a great career from scratch.   Zak is a career building expert and a Principal at Peter Thiel-backed 1517 Fund.   He was one of LinkedIn’s most influential voices on education in 2015 and has been published in Newsweek, the New York Examiner, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Christian Science Monitor, the Foundation for Economic Education, among others.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Connect with Zak Facebook Twitter Linkedin Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 241 with Michael Gibson where we talk about the vision behind 1517 Fund and episode 226 with Ed Latimore where we discuss his writing, boxing, and pathway into running an online business. Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative creates podcasts, vlogs, and videos for companies.    Our clients become better storytellers.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Sign up for one of Piper’s weekly newsletters. We curate links to Expand your Mind, Fill your Heart, and Grow your Tribe.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes

Barry Young used to be a pharmacist. Now he makes vodka and rum.   In this interview, you’ll hear how Barry transitioned out of corporate life, what makes some vodka better than others, and why he’s so passionate.   Barry’s company, Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, is based in Glenshaw and has been around for about 10 years. Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge - the beverage industry's most coveted award.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Barry’s Challenge; Buy a stranger a drink the next time you’re out.   Connect with Barry Boyd & Blair Vodka Instagram BLY Silver Rum Instagram Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 232 with Christian Simmons where we discuss disrupting state liquor stores, Christian’s humble beginning in sales, and how to run a great retail location. Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative creates podcasts, vlogs, and videos for companies.    Our clients become better storytellers.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Sign up for one of Piper’s weekly newsletters. We curate links to Expand your Mind, Fill your Heart, and Grow your Tribe.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher |

Kurt Schnieders has served as CIO of DICK’S Sporting Goods, L Brands and ING Latin America and worked internationally in corporate America for 35 years. As a steward of digital revolution in large organizations, he has overseen the creation and launch of websites taking in over 1 billion dollars in annual sales.      Throughout his career, he has provided executive leadership, business strategy and technology solution delivery across multi-cultural landscapes, working in Dubai, India, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and Amsterdam.     In this conversation, Aaron and Kurt discuss a career in IT, how drastically things have changed, and what the future might hold.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Kurt’s Challenge; Read something different.   Connect with Kurt Linkedin kurt@dickersoncreative.com   If you liked this interview, check out episode 340 with Craig Markovitz where we discuss building a business valued over $250M, university technology transfer, and hard truths about entrepreneurship. Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative creates podcasts, vlogs, and videos for companies.    Our clients become better storytellers.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Sign up for one of Piper’s weekly newsletters. We curate links to Expand your Mind, Fill your Heart, and Grow your Tribe.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay 

Ever wonder how bills get passed and how policy gets changed? While elected officials and public servants hold a lot of power, lobbying firms like Wellington Strategies influence the government, too.   Joe Kuklis, the founder and president of Wellington Strategies, came on the podcast to talk about how his business works and the challenges of building a lobbying firm.   Joe focuses on helping small-to-medium-sized businesses to navigate the government marketplace in Washington and state capitols.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Joe’s Challenge; Look at how federal, state, and local government affects your business and adjust your plan accordingly.   Connect with Joe Linkedin Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 314 with John Dick where we discuss the next generation of polling, recruiting a team, and how to be empathetic to people with different political viewpoints. Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative creates podcasts, vlogs, and videos for companies.    Our clients become better storytellers.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Sign up for one of Piper’s weekly newsletters. We curate links to Expand your Mind, Fill your Heart, and Grow your Tribe.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay 

Yummyholic is a custom cookie & cupcake bakery with distinct, made-to-order designs.   Jasmine Cho, the founder, came on Going Deep to discuss her business and how baking can be more creative and therapeutic. She’s learned a lot through launching Yummyholic and you can learn from someone who’s been in the trenches.   Jasmine is currently working to pioneer research-based bake therapy by exploring baking as a form of art therapy.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Jasmine’s Challenge; Find the thing you are both good at and enjoy doing.   Connect with Jasmine Instagram Twitter Linkedin Facebook Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 67 with Kit Mueller where we discuss Unstuck, supporting entrepreneurial communities, and his career. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Vlogging Podcasting Linkedin Video   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

For the last few decades, “Human Resources” was responsible for getting the most out of workers. This meant optimizing for health plans, salaries, and interpersonal conflict.   Claude Silver believes there’s another way.   She leads with her heart and emotional optimism. She owns the onboarding, recruitment, retention, and graduation of all the people that come through VaynerMedia. She calls upon 20 years of guiding client relationships, global brand strategies, operations, and management at numerous Fortune 50 companies to lead and inspire.   In this conversation, Aaron and Claude discuss the day-to-day of her job, the design of her office, and how Vayner onboards new hires.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Claude’s Challenge; Affirm someone verbally. Give them the gift of your attention.   Connect with Claude Linkedin Instagram Twitter Claude's Podcast If you liked this interview, check out episode 235 with Kim Scott where we discuss Radical Candor, effective leadership, and stories from Apple & Google. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Vlogging Podcasting Linkedin Video   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast |

IAM Robotics named a new CEO in August 2018 and closed a $20M Series A that November. How have they managed so much upheaval? I decided to find out directly from Joel Reed   Joel is the CEO of IAM Robotics and calls upon 20 years of experience in strategic planning and business development to lead the company’s commercialization of its innovative products.   We discuss the fundraising process, how Joel came to join IAM Robotics, and how he recruits technical talent.   Joel previously worked to introduce the first commercially available autonomous mobile robots as a new class of manufacturing and warehouse AGVs to 3PL providers, integrators and clients such as GENCO, Supply Chain Management (Walmart Canada), Freightliner Trucks | Daimler and BMW Manufacturing. Joel started his career as a process and technology consultant at Ernst & Young (now Cap Gemini) and also led the commercialization of a 3D software tools company, which was acquired by Autodesk.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Joel’s Challenge; At work, have a running or walking meeting.   Connect with Joel Linkedin Twitter   Connect with IAM Robotics Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 367 with Aaron Morris where we discuss computer vision, geospatial data, and how a technologist can learn enterprise sales. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Vlogging Podcasting Linkedin Video   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher |

You can get your tickets to Going Deep Summit 3.0 here; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/going-deep-summit-30-tickets-60834779463    

Joe Vennare was the 2nd keynote at the 2019 Going Deep Summit. He shared his story of transitioning from history teacher to serial entrepreneur.    It's advice anyone can use. I'm so glad he shared his message at the Summit.   We could not have put it on without two of our sponsors.   Covalent https://www.wearecovalent.com/   TreeCup https://www.buyateaplantatree.com/

Allen Gannett, the author of The Creative Curve, spoke at the 2019 Going Deep Summit about how to make moments of "creative genius" less random and more intentional. Most people want to know how to be more creative. Allen explains that thoughtful consumption is a key unlock for aspiring creatives.   Allen is the founder of TrackMaven and a bestselling author.   Here are videos from the Going Deep Summit on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8REcAy3zwEArtRTmEufaQHo4UQ1bjdrZ