Blog
“If someone has taken the time to teach you, take the time to teach someone else.” When I first became a park ranger, I didn’t have the background most people expected. I came from banking. My world was numbers, spreadsheets, and interest rate risks. There was one park manager took a chance on me. His…
“Theme parks and national parks may seem different, but they are both in the people business. Each offers a chance to step away from stress and into something extraordinary.” I’ve always loved the outdoors and the wonder of storytelling. For years, I kept those two passions separate. Park ranger Jody on one side, podcast host…
“Disney leaders have an unmatched ability to balance big-picture vision with meticulous attention to the smallest details.” Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with leaders from countless industries. Time and time again the Disney leaders stand apart. They often don’t realize how special their approach is because it’s their norm. Their high…
“Confusion is the number one enemy of every business.” When Wes Gay joined me on the show, he delivered a lot of clarity. Wes has a knack for helping people articulate what they do in a way that actually means something. In a world where confusion runs rampant in business messaging, Wes makes a compelling…
“When you’re creating something new, nobody can tell you how to do it because it hasn’t been done yet.” Several years ago, Lee Cockerell surprised me when he said Ron Logan wanted to meet me. Ron, a Disney Legend who led global live entertainment for Disney, had seen my work with Lee and wanted help…
“Even if no one remembers your name, your work can live on.” Sometimes the best conversations happen when you have no idea what’s coming. That’s exactly what happened when Chip Huth returned to the show and took over the mic. This time he is asking me the questions. It’s a tradition I enjoy. When a…
“It’s not who you are when the badge is on. It’s who you become when the badge comes off that really shows your leadership.” “The best leaders know their past doesn’t define them. It shapes how they help others.” When I sat down to talk with my friend Chip Huth, I expected wisdom. I didn’t…
“It’s not magic that makes it work. It’s the way we work that makes it magic.” One of my favorite traditions on the show is when a guest returns to ask me three surprise questions. This time, it was Denella Ri’chard, and the conversation that followed was as meaningful as it was unexpected. We talked…
“You never know where God is going to take you. But embrace the moments. Even in times of change, when it may seem hard, just be open-minded and pivot, rebuild, move forward.” When the cruise industry collapsed in 2020, Denella Ri’chard’s career came to a sudden halt. I didn’t know her then, but by the…