The Jody Maberry Show

Recently, I returned from the Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop in Austin, TX, hosted by Great Escape Publishing. I team up with Great Escape Publishing to host their podcast, Great Escape Radio. While I was at the Workshop, something big happened. The 20th anniversary of the day I moved away from my hometown of Peoria, IL was while I was in Austin. On the day of the anniversary, I posted on Facebook to commemorate the special day. The post got some wonderful responses from people; "I Love This" "What a great story" "You're amazing!! You carve out the life you wanted to live...proud of you!!" There were many comments like this, all cheering me on for such a bold move. And someone sent me a private message asking me why I left everything I knew and set out with no money and no job prospects. In this episode of The Jody Maberry Show, I examine why my big move still gets so much fanfare 20 years later. Why do people congratulate me? Why do people ask me why I did it? We will discuss that and more on this episode.

During my time as a Park Ranger, I learned many lessons that still serve me today. One Ranger taught me how a smile can save your day. In this episode, I tell the story of a Park Ranger who got stuck in an outhouse. How did she get out? And how does it impact you? To get the story, you will how to listen to the episode. Below, are the 4 lessons I took from the story. Patterns are important. There are times when the right processes and procedures will get you out of trouble. Avoid Patterns. The safety and routine of patterns can keep you from the creativity and ideas you need. Celebrate. Take teme to celebrate. With so much work to do, we don't celebrate enough. Smile. If there is one thing we learn from Ranger Sims, it is that a smile can save your day.

On the last episode, John Saccheri joined the show to talk about building a brand based on your personality. Now, John returns to ask me three questions. What did you do before you do what you do now? Financial Analyst. I measured interest rate risk for a commercial bank. This job was as exciting as it sounds. But it did give me a strong background in numbers, which serves me well today. Park Ranger. Becoming a park ranger was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. I would not be who I am today without having been a park ranger. Marketing Manager. This job was the catalyst for launching my own business to help businesses with marketing. John asking this question reminds me, your background is not as important as you think it is. People are concerned with what you are doing now and what direction you are heading. Your background is not as important as you fear. Or as important as you hope, depending on how you look at it. Don't let your background get in your way. When was the last time Lee Cockerell surprised me with something he said on Creating Disney Magic? Although I do know what direction each episode of Creating Disney Magic will go, every once in a while I am surprised. As an example, we did an episode where we talked about people who get by doing as little as possible while they wait for retirement to arrive. Lee's opinion on the topic was stronger than I expected it would be. You can listen to that episode here. How important is family? This could either be the easiest or hardest questions anyone has asked. Easy because my family is the most important thing in my life. Hard because how do I explain it? Well, I do my best on the episode to explain what family means to me.

John Saccheri has built a brand based on the power of his personality. John, also known as Big Fat Panda, has created a YouTube channel based on weaving his personality into his love for Disney. The creation of the Big Fat Panda brand is a story of love and hard work. What began as John creating videos to show his experience at Disney, has led to getting added to the Disney media list. Now, John can be found at all of the Disney events, invited by Disney because Big Fat Panda has become an influential brand. John was just being himself when Disney noticed him and the work he was doing. This is an important lesson for anyone trying to build a personal brand. Be yourself. Your personality is the best thing you can bring to any of the work you do. John advises us to put more of yourself into your videos, blogs, or podcasts. If you are working on something you love, you are more likely to infuse more of your personality and opinion into the work. John on Facebook - Big Fat Panda John on Twitter - @BigFatPandaShow John on YouTube - Big Fat Panda Show

Phil Gaines, Director of South Carolina State Parks, recently retired after 27 years with the agency. On his last day as Director, Phil did one final act of leadership that has people talking. What does a true leader do on his last day? Well, if that leader is Phil Gaines, he returns to the same park where he began his career, 37 years to the day he first worked at that park. He didn't return to the park for a ceremony. Phil Gaines spent the day working. He cleaned the bathrooms. He picked up trash. He talked with campers. Phil orchestrated the perfect ending to a great story. On this episode, Phil talks about his final day with South Carolina State Parks. Phil also offers advice to leaders; 1. Focus on the Journey. Joy is found in doing, not finishing. 2. Leave Your Mark. 3. Document your journey and enjoy the ride.

We are celebrating on this episode of The Jody Maberry Show. This episode marks the milestone of 100 episodes. To help me celebrate three people join me. Jared Easley from Starve the Doubts podcast and the Co-Founder of Podcast Movement. From Jared we get 3 lessons: Do the hard work for a season Strategic breaks help you grow If you stick with it, opportunities will open up Mike Simmons from Catalyst Sale joins us to talk about his experience with the Catalyst Sale podcast. And Mike Kim, who was with me on the first episode of the Jody Maberry Show, stops by to say congratulations and tell us what he has been up to the past few months. After talking with all three people, a common theme emerged about just sticking with it and the opportunities will come. I also noticed that all three of them started with an idea and then made something happen with it. The difference is they decided to act today. This could be the day it all changes for you, too. Today could be the day where it all begins. You just have to decide so and then make the first step.

On the last episode of The Jody Maberry Show, Matt McWilliams joined us to talk about Affiliate Marketing. This week, Matt returns to ask me three questions. The questions are unfiltered, unprompted and whatever Matt wanted to ask. Here are Matt's questions; Best burger I have had? Best burger is Capone's in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Matt was asking a loaded question here because Matt and I have eaten together at Capone's, and he knew how much I enjoyed the burger. More than I enjoy eating the burger, I like taking people there and dining with them when they try the unique burger for the first time. Best Fiction book I have read in the past few years? Hands down the best fiction book I have read is To Kill a Mockingbird. I don't know it took me so long to read this book, but once I did, I read it twice because it was so good. The Bourne Identity has to get a mention, though. One line in that book made a big difference for me. "Rest is a weapon." That lined changed my viewpoint on sleep. Since then I have focused on getting more sleep. In turn, I get more and better work done. Most intimidating wildlife I have seen? Although I have had a few encounters I could mention, with moose or a squirrel, the one that ranks at the top is a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. During the encounter, there was a brief moment when I did not know what would happen or how it would turn out. In a situation like that, the rest of the world stops. All there is is the grizzly bear. Finally, I am on Instagram. If you want to connect with me there, you can find me at @sugarjmaberry.

Matt McWilliams has a mission to help 100,000 people make their first dollar online. One area many people overlook to make money online is affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a way to serve your audience and customers by putting products and services in front of them that you don't offer. By finding a product that works for your customer, you can make sure there is not a gap in the progress or service of your customer. By recommending a product or a service, you get a piece of the sale. Matt describes affiliate marketing as recommending a product enthusiastically. Here is an example of affiliate marketing. Currently, I am reading the Go-Giver Influencer by Bob Burg and I am loving it. I like it so much I encourage you to click here to get the book. If you click the link and buy the book four things will happen; Bob Burg will get a sale. I will get a small percentage of the sale. You will get an excellent book. We all win. Matt will explain how you can use affiliate marketing to serve your customers, build relationships, and make more money. Matt has a gift for you if you are interested in learning more about affiliate marketing. Click Here to get a free report, a case study interview, and a min-course. Matt and I were both featured in the book the Art of Work by Jeff Goins. Both Matt and I have a chapter that tells our story. Have you read the Art of Work yet?

Last episode we had a great conversation with Jevonnah Ellison. This episode, Jevonnah asks me three questions. Listen in to hear my answers to these questions from Lady J. What has been one of your greatest lessons learned as it relates to dealing with people and building solid relationships? In a word, curiosity. Being curious enough to ask people questions, and truly be interested in the answer, is the first step in building a solid relationship. Tell me what happened as a park ranger that led you to become a business coach. My time as a bike patrol instructor for the International Police Mountain Bike Association is what eventually led to me becoming a business coach. Over 5 years, I taught bike patrol classes to park rangers and other law enforcement officers. Often, I would have to coach individuals to help them learn the proper skills. Being involved in someone else's success was rewarding. The skills I learned coaching law enforcement officers helped me coach people in podcasting, brand building, and business. Tell me about one of your favorite books and why. My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg is currently one of my favorite books. Since the beginning of 2017, I have listened to the audio version of the book 6 times. Read Bragg does a wonderful job narrating the book and I enjoy hearing his southern accent. But the book helps me explore the world of telling short stories. Rick Bragg inserts humor and entertainment in telling a short non-fiction story with a point.

You are your best marketing. If you don't already believe that, you will change your mind after you meet Jevonnah Ellison. From the first time I met Jevonnah, I wanted to know more about her. She made such a great first impression. Jevonnah has taught me how YOU, the way you present yourself to other people, is the best marketing you can do. In this episode of the Jody Maberry Show, Jevonnah will share stories to help you understand how you can be more intentional and mindful about how you present yourself to other people. "The greatest testament is oftentimes not in what we say, but in how we let our life speak for itself." - Jevonnah Ellison Jevonnah on the web - jevonnah.com Jevonnah on Twitter - @JevonnahEllison Jevonnah on Facebook - Jevonnah Ellison