Podcasting in Professional Services
Get inspiration and new ideas to grow your business podcast. A few times each month, hear from business podcast hosts in professional service industries. Learn why they started podcasting, how they position their shows, how it connects to their business, and more. Hosted by John Tyreman, founder of Red Cedar Marketing.
Podcasting in Professional Services
What’s Your 'And'? Embracing Individuality as a Differentiator, with John Garrett
Writing a book for your consulting business? Use a podcast for research.
When John Garrett decided to write a book, he launched a podcast to help with his research. Eventually, the What's Your And? podcast has served as a remarkable launchpad for speaking engagements and business opportunities, contributing to an estimated $200,000 in new business—all despite having zero sponsors.
In this conversation, we cover:
- Rapid-fire questions to break it open
- How people can be a differentiator for firms
- Podcast origin: from The Green Apple to What's Your And?
- Behind the scenes
- Personal and professional impact
- The future of What's Your And?
This episode was produced by Red Cedar Marketing. Need help launching and running a business podcast that actually produces results? Visit www.redcedarmarketing.com.
Welcome business podcasters to another episode of podcasting and professional services. If this is your first time here, this show features stories and perspectives from successful business podcasters. Why they started, how they grew, what their workflows look like, and much, much more. If you like what you hear, please give the show a rating on Apple podcasts. Subscribe to my YouTube channel at John underscore tireman and connect with me on LinkedIn. Today, we're diving deep with John Garrett, a CPA, writer, comedian, and host of the wildly successful. What's your, and. podcast, which shows that meaningful business impact can happen when you value the worker just as much as the work. John shares his podcasting journey, how his podcast made his book more impactful, how it makes his speaking events more engaging, and how the podcast contributed to an estimated 200, 000 in new business. Connect with Jon on LinkedIn or check out his website, vjongarrett. com. Subscribe to his podcast, What's Your And, wherever you get your podcasts. But before my conversation with Jon, let's launch a podcast together. There's no better way for experts and firms to build trust over long sales cycles, accelerate your networking, and create endless content for your business. With a podcast, you'll unlock conversations you would have never thought were possible. Reach out to me at john at red cedar marketing. com or send me a message on LinkedIn. All right. And now for my conversation with John Garrett. Our guest today became a CPA with PwC before working several years in the accounting industry. Since then, John Garrett has written two Emmy nominated award shows and even has a comedy album on SiriusXM. Today, John helps people centric leaders value the worker as much as they value the work. He was recently named one of the top 100 most influential people in accounting and is the host of the What's Your And podcast, which has published over 600 episodes Welcome to the show, John.
John Garrett:Hey, thanks so much, John. It's an honor to be here. I'm excited to talk with you.
John Tyreman:Yeah, me too. I first heard about you from a conversation with Randy Crabtree a few months ago.
John Garrett:Ah, yes, Randy. He's my hype man. Like he might, I should put him on payroll. Like I really should. Yeah, he was hyping
John Tyreman:you up. I interviewed him for his podcast, the Unique CPA. And, uh, he mentioned that I should listen to your show. and I did, and I listened to a few episodes and you inspired me to share more personal content on LinkedIn that led to this conversation. We even have a meeting scheduled next week, for me to become a guest on your podcast. So I think that just goes to show, you know, knowing your end and being true to yourself can lead to different opportunities.
John Garrett:Yeah, absolutely. I mean, just we're more than just our job title. Like who else are you, you know, beyond that. And that's where cool conversations happen and, and, and connections. And yeah, just good things always come from that.
John Tyreman:Well, you know, in the spirit of how you like to start off your podcast with a series of rapid fire questions, I'd like to do that same thing with you. Are you cool with that?
John Garrett:Absolutely. I love it. Like, there we go.
John Tyreman:Okay. Awesome. All right. So I've got 10 and we can just go rapid fire. So let's do it. First up, blue is off the table. What's your next favorite color?
John Garrett:Oh man, that light blue. no, just, yeah, probably green. That's solid.
John Tyreman:Yeah. Right on. Yeah. Green, green is my favorite color. So that's good. Okay. All right.
John Garrett:We can keep going then. Woo. All
John Tyreman:right. What's the, exactly. What, what's the best concert you've ever been to?
John Garrett:Oh, the killers. hands Summerfest in Milwaukee. Death Cab for Cutie opened and then the killers. And. It was epic. I mean, it was, yeah, that was by far the best. I've been to a bunch, but that one for sure.
John Tyreman:All right. Well, my next question is, what's the worst concert you've ever been to?
John Garrett:worst concert ever, Third Eye Blind. they, they're terrible. the lead singer didn't sing an entire song. I love Semi Charm Life. but they, he, he can't hit the range. It's clear that everything's been edited in post and, yeah. So it was so disappointing. but yeah, I would say them hands down.
John Tyreman:Okay. Okay. you're an ice cream guy. So chocolate or vanilla.
John Garrett:yeah, that's tough. That's it. It's, it's a lot harder than people think because I'm so into it. like that's, uh, so, you know, I'll, I'll say chocolate. Chocolate's always good.
John Tyreman:Yeah. Safe bet. Well, vanilla is too. So can't go wrong with either. But
John Garrett:with stuff in it, like vanilla has got to have then, you know, like the chunks or whatever.
John Tyreman:It's the base ice cream for any flavor combination.
John Garrett:Exactly. That's exactly. And if you can't get vanilla right, then I don't want to try the others, type of thing, but you're going with chocolate though. But I went with chocolate just because just the ice cream. I'll go chocolate.
John Tyreman:Yeah. Fair enough. That was the question. if you could meet any one person from history, who would it be?
John Garrett:that's such a loaded question. I feel like Bob Hope comes to mind. I mean, my comedy background and I mean, he was just such a legend and did so much USO tours and all that stuff. And, so much for the country, but also just for, you know, Comedy and people in general. So yeah, I would just, I would just say him.
John Tyreman:Okay. Bob Hope. Yeah. Good one. And you mentioned your comedy background. My next question is what's your, who's your favorite comedian?
John Garrett:I would probably say, Brian Regan. he's always good. you know, no matter where you, where you jump in. and it's, it's cool to see now a lot of friends of mine now blowing up and, you know, Ryan Hamilton and Nate Borgazzi and, you know, people like that. It's, they're, you know, good for them. It's super cool to see they're, they're hilarious as well.
John Tyreman:Awesome. do you play any instruments?
John Garrett:I play the piano. I did since I, when I was a kid. and, Yeah, I'm not necessarily amazing at it, but it's enough to not suck,
John Tyreman:which
John Garrett:counts as an end. So there you go. I enjoy it. So that's all.
John Tyreman:You mentioned that you learned it when you were a kid, when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
John Garrett:Oh, astronaut, easy astronaut for sure. Yeah. hands down. I was so disappointed. I couldn't go to space camp. That was like a real thing. and there was the movie and like all that and yeah, astronaut easy. Like, I know. Tons about airplanes and aircraft and space and like way too much. so, yeah, that would have been pretty awesome.
John Tyreman:October sky was one of my favorite movies growing up.
John Garrett:Ah, yeah, there you go. Yeah.
John Tyreman:I think I know the answer to this next question because I saw a gold helmet in one of your videos. Who's your favorite college football team?
John Garrett:That's where I went to school as well. So yeah, hands down, but I love all college football, but yeah, Notre Dame, definitely.
John Tyreman:I'm a commander's fan. Now I've got, we've got Sam Hartman as a backup. That's right.
John Garrett:Yeah. That'll be interesting. And I did some work with LSU as well. So Jaden Daniels, very excited about
John Tyreman:this season. Yeah. so other than your own. What's your favorite podcast?
John Garrett:You know, I'm terrible. I don't listen to podcasts. I really don't like I'm a creator. I'm not a consumer. so yours, I guess, I'll take it.
John Tyreman:I'll take
John Garrett:it. I just, I'm, I'm just not a consumer. That's totally fine. And it's funny because people always ask me and I'm like, I don't know. Like I'll listen if someone's on that's interesting or someone I know or whatever, you know, check out this show or whatever. So yeah, not a regular consumer.
John Tyreman:Okay. Yeah. Fair enough. well that, that was a lot of fun. I, I might incorporate that into more of my, my episodes. yeah,
John Garrett:well it just blows it open, you know, it's just like the real me. You know, now it's, it's like, all right, well it's all uphill from here. Everybody.
John Tyreman:If
John Garrett:you made it this long, like it's,
John Tyreman:right. So, John, I want to get. to your podcast. what's your and, but first, can you tell me a bit about, what you do in your consulting work? Yeah. I mean, it's just,
John Garrett:Just that, that people centric leaders, you know, and, and just value the worker as much as you value the work. and that starts with you individually, but then it goes to the people around you and just having a genuine interest in the people around you and that there's a human behind the job title and then inside that human is a soul and like what lights your soul up. And if you say more accounting or more law or more engineering, you're lying. Like you're just lying. And so it's about time that we all just be honest with ourselves and with the people around us. And you know, what are you doing when you outside of work and like, why are you working? You're working so you can make money to go do cool stuff. So what's the cool stuff. And if I can talk to you about the cool stuff that you're doing outside of work, then you're going to be more engaged and more, interactive and stay longer. And I, you see that I have a genuine interest in you as a human, not just you as a worker. And so it's, it's really just helping organizations create that culture around, you know, Hey, I'm a human. Are you living your best life? And if you're not, then what are we doing here? you know, because if you live your best life, you're going to do your best work. It's just going to happen. And, and so it's just helping organizations see that and, and make it just how they do things and how they are.
John Tyreman:So I did, branding for professional services firms for about seven years and, and kind of like the early parts of my career. And part of that was doing research on kind of what sets firms apart. And so many different firms claim their people as a differentiator in their business. but I think it's many of them fall short and actually showcasing their people as a differentiator. It's one thing to say your people are your biggest asset or what makes you different, but it's a totally different thing to actually like live that, embrace it and show it.
John Garrett:Yeah, absolutely. I completely agree when they say they're people, they mean they're people's technical skills and that's not a differentiator at all. the firm right down the street has the same exact technical skills and probably uses the same software that you do too. So, you know, that's not the differentiator. the, and, and that, that's also a part that's completely replaceable. your technical skills are totally replaceable, but what isn't is your technical skills combined with your personality and your outside of work passions and who you are, which is so much more than what you do. so who you are is, is what's the differentiator here, and yet we're so afraid to bring that To work. a lot of it's in our own heads, but, organizations and leaders can create that space where it's not only encouraged, but almost mandatory, like, Hey, we're going to need you to really show up here, because we need all of you. I care about all of you, type of thing and bringing some emotion to work. Every work is so gray and dull. It's like, bring a little bit of color, a little bit of emotion here, you know,
John Tyreman:yeah, type of thing. So. Well, not that. And, business development today isn't is, is, is a team sport, right? Absolutely. Individual people trust faces more than they do logos. And that's why I think you're seeing personal branding kind of take off in this era of social media. because people, people trust other people. and so I think that that personality that you bring to work can Fuel and support your personal brand because your experiences are what makes you unique. Right.
John Garrett:Exactly. That's exactly it. And, and just bring it out, shine a light on it, celebrate it, and all the way from, you know, the CEO or managing partner all the way down to the intern that just started today. and everybody in between, you know, type of thing. So yeah, just bring that human side.
John Tyreman:Yeah. That, that message resonated with me a lot and that's what kind of drew me to your podcast. And you know, speaking of your podcast, it looks like you launched it in 2015, but it was under a different name. The Green Apple. Can you tell the story about that name?
John Garrett:Yeah. Well, so when I was, I speak at a lot of conferences, and, you know, opening keynote, usually emcee some stuff. And, and so, yeah, so kind of the messaging was along just be the green apple in the bin of red apples. So I'm not asking you to be Like grapefruit or something gross that people don't eat, like just be your flavor, your version of an accountant, an engineer, a lawyer, a, you know, a banker. but the problem is, is that, uh, you're a branding guy, that if people hadn't heard me speak, then that's just weird. And like, what? And I don't know, and I don't like green apples and like all these things. And so that's why. At some point, along with my speaking, that also transitioned to just what's your and you're this and something else. you know, you're, you're an accountant and a ballroom dancer. Well, I have zero follow up questions on the accountant part, but I have a lot of follow up questions on the ballroom dancer part, you know, and, and, and just who else are you? And so, so yeah, so that's where it became what's your end and then just changed to that. And then, You know, people in the UK reference, they just say it's on the tin. Like it's just, I don't have to explain it now. You know, when it was green apple, I would always have to follow it up with an explanation. What's your end. It's pretty clear. and, and especially if you listen to the first 30 seconds of an episode, Oh, okay, now I get it. type of thing. And it's, it's also. Something that's easier for people to remember and put into practice. you know, be the green apple isn't something that people can say in a regular conversation, but what's your end is something that I hear from hundreds of people that they start using regularly. and a lot of clients that I do the work with, it just becomes part of the vernacular at the organization, which is kind of neat. And then the simpler, the better, you know, you don't have to be cute and clever, like just get right to it.
John Tyreman:Clear beats clever every time in branding.
John Garrett:Yes, exactly. But I have a marketing degrees or an accounting degree, not a marketing degree, so that's why I went with clever. And then, it was like, yeah, no, that's not gonna work.
John Tyreman:Well, you know, marketing degrees are one thing, but I think marketing is learned over time through experience. Best. There you go.
John Garrett:All
John Tyreman:right. There you go. So, so that, yeah, that great, great story. Love that. can you walk me through the decision to launch a podcast? Kind of what led to, to doing that?
John Garrett:yeah, I mean, it's funny cause like I said earlier, I don't listen to podcasts and so how it sort of started was. I was speaking and, a lot and people after started to come up to me and say, Hey, do you have a book because my manager isn't here and he needs to hear this or my coworker isn't here and she needs to hear this. And so eventually people are, you know, Hey, do you have a book? And I was like, who writes books? Like people with like patches on their elbows of tweed coats, you know, like not me, like what? Like, I'm not old enough to do research and write a book. Like what? And so. So anyway, so I was like, all right, I'll write a book. and so then in order to do that, I was also just wanting to get more confident in this research and in my own story. And am I the only one type of thing? And so then it became, well, no, no, just, there's so many people out there as hobbies and passions outside of work that, we just don't know about. And so let's just interview them and, and just get going. And, and so I, I asked a couple of friends like, Hey, you listen to podcasts. What are the ones that you listen to? I Googled top 10 business podcasts. I listened to a couple episodes of each one. I cherry picked things I like. I was like, Holy crap. I can't believe this is part of the show. Some of the things I was like, I would never do that in a billion years. you know, and a lot of the shows at the time, I mean, entrepreneur on fire was like the number one show, like, you know, in 2015, it was like crazy. And, and some of those kind of. Business podcast. It just kind of listened and was like, well, this is what I like. This is what I don't like. And then I just created a show that I would like. you know, and that's, that's the same way I approach when I'm speaking on stage is what would I want to see or what would I want to listen to? And then that's what I do. I don't try and guess what other people want because that's a moving target. Depending on who you talk to, you're going to get completely different answers. So the only way you can be confident and know what you're doing is to do what you like. And then adjust from there, because what you like is going to get you 90 percent of the way there, or maybe more. And then from there you can tweak, but at least it's something that you enjoy doing because it's your show. You're the one who has to be on every episode, you know, these people might not listen to every episode. So. Screw you if you don't like that. Like, you know, like I don't care. Like I'm the one who has to do everyone, you know, so I need to like it. you
John Tyreman:got to listen to yourself in post production too, right?
John Garrett:Exactly. Yeah, absolutely. That whole journey.
John Tyreman:Yeah, that's, that's, that's rough at the beginning, but then you get used to it or numb to it, I guess. So would you say that the, the podcast influenced the book that you wrote?
John Garrett:Absolutely. It did. in the, in my book, I have, I think maybe 40 quotes from people that were guests on the show, different people. I had written the book and then my publisher was like, Hey, you have this podcast. Like, do you have, are they transcribed? And I was like, yeah, all of them. And they said, yeah. Well, why don't you just grab some of the, I mean, I've already written it, but so then I just went out and found the quotes that supported what I had written. And so then it wasn't just the book, isn't just my thoughts and me telling you as if I'm like the know it all guy, it's, well, no, no, no. Take it from this person and take it from that person and take it. And it's, you know, men and women from the UK and, you know, all over the U S and Canada and Australia. And, you know, so it's, Europe, a couple of people. So it's like, It's a worldwide thing that, you know, professionals struggle to. Share who they are, I guess. Why do you think that
John Tyreman:is?
John Garrett:I think it's because we paid a lot of money and spent a lot of time getting our college degrees and certifications. And it's a lot easier for us to hide behind those. I think there's also a part, that plays into it as well that we don't really know. Who we are over time. We've become numb to that. those parts of us have gone dormant. We've soul fractured and hidden those pieces of us because they're not accepted here. And we tell ourselves this story, that are lies and we mirror behavior of people who are ahead of us. that appears successful and we're not really being ourselves. We're being a, a two dimensional facade of ourselves that's hollow and shallow rather than just, here's who I am. I know who I am. And, you know, there's a, there's a Carl Young quote where he says, the world will ask you who you are. And if you don't have an answer, then the world will tell you. And I think that's it. The world asks us, who are you? And we're like, I don't know. And then the world says, well, you're this. And it's the job title. That's your label. And then your backup is family identity person. And I'm like, no, no, no, let's go deeper. You know, who, let's go to you. Like when you were eight years old, who were you? You know, you're the same person. where'd that part go? you know, let's bring it out. So, yeah, I think there's a whole lot of, a whole lot of pieces to why professionals don't, and they're, none of them make sense or, are, are healthy, but, but it's just how it is. It's how it was for me. Same, same, you know, it's just how we go.
John Tyreman:I love that. And I love how each one of your podcast episodes teases that out right up front. Like, like we did on this episode, we go through that, go through that rapid fire, and then you really open it up about the and first before getting into the professional side, if at all. On those episodes. So, so that's, that's really cool. Well, John, what I'd love to do is go a little bit behind the scenes of your podcast. what is your pod, what is your podcast team look like? I've, I've interviewed a bunch of different podcasters and they have a lot of different ways that they configure their podcast teams. What does yours look like?
John Garrett:Yeah. I have magic elves that, live in a tree. No, those are my cookies. That's where they come from. Um, no, but like, uh, yeah, so, um, it's evolved. And like you said, you know, doing the post production stuff yourself. That was me for a long time. I'm dangerous enough to know, to be good at it, but then eventually you realize that's not my highest and best use. So yeah, so then it's, I have an editor, and so I record and then put it into Dropbox. I use Trello to manage all that. So every guest gets a card and then there's columns for You know, ready to record, recorded, you know, it's edited, you know, released, whatever. and on that card, it has all their information and all that. I use JotForm to gather all their, what they want to have on the show page because I've had people guess what To put on mine. And I'm like, no, no, that's not at all. It, that's where'd you get that picture? What the hell type of thing. So, and then jot form populates right into Trello, which is awesome. And then, so it's become more automated, back in the day it was, I mean, it's always been Trello, but it was very manual at first. so yeah, so I have the editor, he takes care of that, puts it back into Dropbox, and then have a virtual assistant that does, you know, the social media cards and some of that, those pieces. and I use headliner for creating like videos with the audio. And there's so many tools now, I mean, from when I started, none of this existed and now, I mean, AI is doing all this stuff now and I mean, it's, it's wild. So I'm starting to. To toy with some of those things, but it's working and, you know, and, and that's great. And then I use, social B to post, or to line up the, the social media posts and then, yeah, and then they just release and go out there and then, there we go. And I use Libsyn to host the podcast. so anyone listening, just rewind. I did that all in reverse order, but anyway.
John Tyreman:No, that's, that's totally cool. We as podcasters, we can be a bit scatterbrained at times. Yeah.
John Garrett:Well, yeah.
John Tyreman:You know, we're recording this right now, but it's not going to be released for a couple of weeks anyway. So it's like time is a flat circle when it comes to podcasting.
John Garrett:Amen, man. It really is. It really is.
John Tyreman:So you, you mentioned headliner. Love that tool. I've used it in the past. I personally, I'm, I'm using Descript now for more of those kind of video. Are you doing anything else to promote your podcast? Are you using that as part of like a newsletter or transcribing it in a blog posts? Like how else are you using that podcast content?
John Garrett:Yeah. You know, there's a lot of me that says I, so I don't, I don't actually record the video when I do the podcast. it's enough for me to ask, because a lot of the guests that are on are not people that I've ever been on a podcast. so they're just professionals who have a hobby outside of work. and oftentimes I will even offer, Hey, I have backup microphones. I want to make sure that you're not using earbuds or, you know, Whatever laptop mic is built in. I want your audio to be at least decent. so I'll ship them a mic to borrow and ship back just to make sure that their audio is close. you know, I don't want mine to be, you know, up here, radio quality and them to be, you know, not, cause that's annoying to listen to. Um, and yeah. Yeah. And I don't expect them to buy a mic to be on one podcast. I mean, that's weird. So, you know, it's just, I don't know, whatever, 25 bucks, maybe round trip, to let them borrow a mic. And that's fine. some people will buy their own and I suggest, some, but, to ask them to then also have good video is, I mean, to me anyway, a stretch. and so I just rather just, just audio. Now I hear from everybody and their mom that, you know, you should record the video because it's good for, you know, advertising or using for social or whatever, and I'm like, you're right, but. I don't care. so, you know, it's
John Tyreman:another level of production and hassle and operations that you need to consider too. So yeah, I always say that video is great, but it might not make sense for your podcast. Right. Depending on your guests and your personality and all that stuff.
John Garrett:Right. And do you even want to, and so you don't have to, so people listening that are like, well, I think I have to, no, you don't have to do any of these things. Actually. All you have to do is have good audio and hit record. That's it. Like that's, that's all you have to do. and the good audio is definitely something you have to do. Like the good audio you have to do. don't think that you can get away with not, Oh, I'll just put a cell phone down and, and record a conversation with it. No, do not do that. no one's listening. and so,
John Tyreman:yeah, it might've worked 10 years ago when podcasting was super raw and there weren't shows available and, you know, people were just getting into it, but now that's a, good audio is kind of table stakes. You need to have that with a podcast.
John Garrett:Yeah. And it's not expensive. It's not a lot. I mean, it's less than a hundred bucks. Easy. and, Yeah. And, and then, yeah, so I just mostly through social media and then because all my shows, most of my shows are interviews, I rely on the guests then to share as well in their network and, and what have you, to, to grow that way. And, yeah, and it's really just a, a platform building. as well as research gathering, for me, and, and a confidence boost for me to know that when I go on stage in front of 550 people, like I did last week, I know that I'm talking about like, is, is real. I know this is this I'll fight you on this. Like I have 600 plus episodes of people. That will back me up on this, like, this is legit. so that's, that's really probably the main thing, you know, reference
John Tyreman:some of those stories
John Garrett:when you're on stage. Absolutely. I do. Yeah. I definitely do, you know, some of them. And then I say, you know, like. On paper, all these people are the same. you know, they're all in this industry or this profession, but when you look at their pictures here on the screen, they're totally different people. And it's the same with all of us in this room and the same with everyone that you work with in your company and in your department. And so let's see us this way, you know, and it's, it's fun to use those examples and use those stories and use, you know, quotes from real people instead of needing quotes from, you know, people. Oprah or whatever, you know,
John Tyreman:they're, they're a little more relevant and applicable.
John Garrett:Yeah, exactly.
John Tyreman:Exactly. So that's, that's really cool. so John, what kind of, what kind of impact. Would you say your podcast has had on both your business, but then also on you personally?
John Garrett:Well, I mean, going back to that confidence, I mean, me personally, it just, it just gives me confidence to know that the work I'm doing is good and needed and, matters, like really matters. and that, you know, So many people come on the show and they say, thank you for doing this, you know, for giving this platform for giving us permission to just be human and just be us and, and not come on and have to talk about, you know, How smart they are in their work, you know, type of thing, because then that's, it's like a hyped version of you. That's not just let your guard down and just be you, you know, like, let's just hang out and chat, you know, like what's up, you know, type of thing. And, and it does get to. How does that impact your, you at work? you know, but it's not, you know, how smart you are and how amazing you are at your job. Because everyone who I talked to, everyone is good at their jobs. I mean, you wouldn't be working there if you weren't. Well, if you're happy, you do better work. That's exactly right. Yeah. I mean, it's, it's that simple. and so, so yeah, so that's personally on my business. It's definitely led to a lot of speaking engagements. you know, because people, you know, if I didn't have my podcast, you and I would not be talking right now. So who knows where this is going. You know, you know, friendship relationship goes, who knows? I mean, it could be five years from now. Hey, you know, there's a conference that I heard about. You should totally, you know, reach out to speak there. okay, cool. You know, I mean, so yeah, I mean, easily. probably 200, 000 in business, come from running, having a podcast and I have zero sponsors. it's all a business expense. for me, I look at it as marketing and business development. and research. So that's fine with me. You know, sometimes some, a couple of sponsors have reached out. People have suggested some, but first of all, it's got to be a product. I believe in, if I'm going to interrupt my show. To talk about somebody else's product, then, yeah, it better be something I really like and really, really believe in. and then the other side is, you know, I, I don't, because then people want to see your numbers and they want to like all this and now you're worried about things and that's the number one thing, like when you start a podcast, know why you're starting the podcast. This was probably your next question. And I jumped ahead. I'm sorry, but like, just, just know why you're starting your podcast and it's not. To have a gazillion listens and be famous. That is not why you're starting your show because it's not going to happen. it's just not. so, you know, have a reason why you're doing your show and don't make it based on listens. because also I don't believe that those stats are accurate. so I'm not sure if they're even real and when people tell me their numbers. I also don't believe you because I've listened to your show and there's no way that that many people listen to your show because it's not good. So like it's, and so, so yeah, so just do it for you and, and then see where it goes.
John Tyreman:you're preaching to the choir here. Yeah. Um, I personally, I love that you mentioned that research was one of the big reasons, like why you're doing the podcast or that that's how you look, look at it because it is very much, I think like an undervalued research channel, because the access that you get to people, you wouldn't normally be able to have a conversation with. And so I come from a research background too. So it's not really as much quantitative research is more qualitative research and kind of validating what you find, out there by doing polls and surveys and things like that. so I really love, love that point that you made. Yeah. And
John Garrett:you, you develop relationships with people, you know, like, I mean, if you reach out to me six months from now with a call or an email, I know, John, what's up? We talked like I was on your show. You were on mine. Like, yeah, exactly. What's going on? You know? And that's where some of my businesses come from. You know, you have, you know, executives. Yeah. that now answer my emails, where if I didn't have a podcast, they'd be like, who the hell is this guy? Delete, you know, type of thing. But instead it's like, no, now we're on the phone, you know, talking through things. And, and you know, if I have a new idea for something that I'm thinking of, or what are the issues that you're facing, not on the podcast, let's just chat. Like what's going on? Like, what are things that, how do you see what's your end? Like, how can I apply? Like, you know, someone I talked to recently was a managing partner at a pretty big accounting firm, and they're starting to outsource some of their work. And he's like, what's your hand is awesome for creating connections with people that live in a totally different country, totally different and, you know, culture, totally different, everything all of a sudden now, like we know way more about cricket from the people in India than we ever possibly would have known that, you know, even that it was a sport. you know, so it's, it's, I'm like, Oh, I don't know. Didn't even think of that. So now when I'm on stage and I'm speaking, I'm like, Oh, you know, here's how it affects DEIA conversations. Here's how it affects generational differences. If you're outsourcing work, here's how it bridges that gap between cultural differences. And people like, Oh, you know, it's like, Oh, I didn't even know that that's how it would manifest itself in the world. I haven't thought through all this, you know, fully. So it's cool to just create those relationships with people. That's all it is. You know, we're helping each other, you know, here.
John Tyreman:It kind of levels the playing field and we see each other as humans when you, when you talk about each other's and and explore that.
John Garrett:yeah, and then, and then have people on the podcast, you know, it's just a conversational thing. Plus I'm minor, mostly interview style. So I don't have to bring the content. All I have to do is bring questions and curiosity and energy. And then the guest is the one bringing the content. And they don't even have to bring it. They, they, they live it. Bring yourself. Yeah. Yeah. They live it. Just be you. And that's the content then. So now there's less pressure on, Oh, what am I going to talk about? So I'm going to talk about you, John. Here we go. Like type of thing. it's always fun and always, cool to see where it goes. That being said, I am starting to do some shorter episodes where it is me, you know, so people don't see me as, just an interview guy. It's like, no, no, I actually know what I'm talking about. And I know this and people are also asking like, Hey John, we want more from what's in your head. So don't, don't hesitate to, lift yourself up to be the expert as well. I was so busy propping everyone else up on pedestals that I was not doing it for myself. And so don't hesitate to do that for yourself a little bit, even during the interviews, but especially in your own shows in between, there can be like a three to five minutes. episode, you know, in between the big ones.
John Tyreman:There's no rules to how, to how to do podcasting other than, other than I guess, the one golden rule is have good audio, right?
John Garrett:Yeah. Right. And then, and then release it, you know, and then five episodes in, you've already done way more than most podcasts make, make episodes anyway. So, you know, with five and then. Yeah, if you hate it and no one's listening, then just delete it and deny that it ever happened. Deny, deny, deny. Right. I don't know what you're talking about. That was never a show. I don't, I never did it.
John Tyreman:Well, you, you kind of got into my, my last question was, where do you plan to take the show from here? And it sounds like you want to introduce more of. monologue episodes, maybe shorter episodes, maybe they're longer. I don't know, but you know, that's the beauty of podcasting is you can experiment is that, kind of what you're thinking in terms of, you know, your next step with the show or are there other things that you're thinking about doing?
John Garrett:Yeah. I mean, that's, that's exactly it is, is just, three to five minute episodes of just me, you know, monologue. It could be about the episode that just happened. that was just released. it could all me just going deeper on, on what I think about it. And, and, you know, that topic or something that we, that we touched on or just, Hey, I read this article or here I was speaking and this came up or, you know, just something that's current, just more of getting what's in my head out, as opposed to, you know, Keeping it until I'm on stage. And then it's only the people in the room that are able to hear that as opposed to the podcast where, you know, the whole world could listen, type of thing. And so getting more of that out there, is definitely. High on the list. And then, you know, also swinging for maybe some higher profile guests, you know, I love having regular professionals on the show. Absolutely. But, you know, the CEO of Goldman Sachs is a DJ, at night, like he has a whole DJ name and a whole thing. So, He should absolutely be on the show, you know, like, you know, or there's, there's other people that are, you know, I would, you know, semi celebrity ish in the corporate space that, yeah, you should be on the show. you know, type of thing. And so it's just finding access and, and all that, but, but also like, you know, that's not my main job. So I don't like over obsess about it, but it's more of like, well, if the opportunity is there and just throw it out to the universe now, and who knows, you know, we'll see. But, but it, but there's so many cool people out there that everybody's on. And that's why I love my show is it doesn't have to be a CEO only thing. No, no. Like, Oh, you're a first year staff person in a law firm. Let's talk like, what's up, you know, who are you? And so everyone can be. You know who they are and, and, and that's the
John Tyreman:point of your show is you're leveling all levels of leadership. You're leveling all races and ethnicities and everything. And it's, it's a human to human conversations. I love that.
John Garrett:Yeah, no, you're right. It does. It levels everything. It just, just completely dismantles it all. And we're all, yeah, back to the flat circle. so, there we are
John Tyreman:back to the flat circle. Excellent. Well, John, thank you so much for taking the time to have this podcast conversation, folks that are listening, go check out, John's website, the john Garrett. com. so that'll be linked in the show notes. Go check out his podcast. What's your, and wherever you find podcasts on Apple, Spotify, or whatever. Wherever you download your podcast. So John, thank you so much. for, for the time, if folks want to connect with you, LinkedIn, I'm assuming that's the best place.
John Garrett:Yeah. LinkedIn works or, yeah, the website, email, also a little bit on Twitter, but definitely LinkedIn is, is the main place, so yeah, I appreciate you having me on and I think the show you have is, is really cool and I hope there's one nugget that people could take away from whatever I rambled on about. So thank you.
John Tyreman:Thank you. Yeah, I'm sure there will be. Cheers. All right. That was my conversation with John Garrett. Thank you so much for listening. If you made it this far, please give the show a rating on Apple podcasts on Spotify, subscribe to the YouTube channel at John underscore tireman, and thank you so much for listening. Happy podcasting.
