What One Thing? A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Top of the Events World

Hosted by Smart Meetings

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Smart Meetings’ What One Thing podcast is your shortcut to the top of the events world. We interview savvy meeting planners, speakers and industry experts about the decisions that made all the difference in their lives and careers so you can take the fast track to your dreams.

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54 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 5419 min

Security Starts Before the Crisis

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long sits down with Mark Herrera, president and chief security strategist at Global Awareness Professionals, to discuss what it really means to build safer, better-prepared teams. Drawing from a career that has included work as an EMT, police sergeant, SWAT officer, human resources representative, flight deck instructor and director of safety and security, Herrera shares why real security begins long before a crisis happens.His guiding lesson is simple but powerful: people do not rise to the occasion; they fall back on their level of training. For meeting professionals, that means preparation, awareness and team trust are not optional extras. They are the foundation for keeping people safe when seconds matter.

April 16, 2026Episode 5322 min

Originality Starts at the Origin

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to be original?In this episode of What One Thing?, Sophia Abramchuk, founder of the Originate Institute, shares why the most powerful ideas are not created from scratch; they are uncovered. Inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí, she explores how returning to the problem's origins can unlock more meaningful, human-centered solutions.From rethinking event networking to designing deeper connections, this conversation offers a practical framework for planners who want to move beyond surface-level experiences and create something that truly resonates.

April 9, 2026Episode 5225 min

Amputate to Elevate: The Power of Strategic Subtraction

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What One Thing?, leadership coach and Paralympian John Register challenges the idea that success comes from doing more. Instead, he introduces “amputate to elevate”, the practice of letting go of what no longer serves you to perform at a higher level.From redefining authority as building others up to embracing strategic breaks over constant grind, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth comes from subtraction, not addition.

March 26, 2026Episode 5129 min

Hard Work Beats Talent: Lessons from The Gardiner Brothers

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What One Thing?, host Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, talks with world champion Irish dancers Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known globally as The Gardiner Brothers, whose viral performances have reached millions online while bringing traditional Irish dance to modern audiences.The brothers share how discipline, creativity and innovation shaped their journey from competitive dancers to global performers, content creators and keynote speakers. When the pandemic shut down live performance, they pivoted to digital platforms, a move that helped them build a worldwide brand by blending tradition with modern music, storytelling and collaboration.They discuss the habits and mindset behind their success, including the belief that hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard, and reflect on what it means to run a business together while continuing to evolve their careers.The conversation also explores how their work in live events and keynote speaking grew naturally from performance, and how storytelling, rhythm and curiosity can help audiences connect, adapt and think differently. At its core, the episode focuses on growth, resilience and the willingness to redefine yourself when the path changes.

March 12, 2026Episode 5037 min

The ROI of Joy

Send us Fan MailThe ROI of JoyIn this episode of What One Thing, host Devon Montgomery Pasha speaks with Liz Lathan, CMP, co-founder of Club Ichi, about the power of community, curiosity and human connection in the meetings industry.With a career that spans global event marketing roles at companies like Dell and IBM, Lathan has long believed that the most meaningful business outcomes come from environments where people feel comfortable connecting authentically. Through Club Ichi, she has created a community where experiential learning, collaboration and creativity take center stage, often through unconventional formats that encourage participation and shared discovery.During the conversation, Lathan reflects on how her engineering-style curiosity and willingness to ask questions helped her rethink traditional event structures and focus on designing moments that bring people together. Whether it’s reimagining networking or creating spaces where attendees can contribute ideas and solve problems collectively, her approach centers on one simple truth: relationships drive results.

February 26, 2026Episode 4913 min

Planning for America 250: Strategy, Storytelling and Scale

Send us Fan MailAmerica’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a historic milestone. It is a major opportunity for event professionals to create experiences that bring people together and tell stories that actually stick.In this episode, Smart Meetings’ VP JT Long sits down with Melinda Curley, vice president of customer experience at Hargrove, and Johanna Walsh, vice president of event production at Encore, to talk about what planners should be thinking about now. From tight timelines and rising demand to infrastructure, permitting and budget realities, they share practical advice for getting ahead of the 2026 surge. But the real opportunity goes beyond logistics. The most memorable events, they explain, will be the ones grounded in authentic storytelling, whether that means highlighting local history, cultural identity or imagining what the next 250 years could look like. The one thing: start early, be intentional and create moments that make attendees feel like they are part of something bigger.Episode: “Planning for America 250: Strategy, Storytelling and Scale” (Season 4, Ep. 47)Release date: February 26, 2026 • Length: 13:46Host: JT Long (VP, Smart Meetings)Guests: Melinda Curley (VP, Customer Experience, Hargrove) + Johanna Walsh (VP, Event Production, Encore)Source: Buzzsprout episode page (Smart Meetings) — https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087892/episodes/18748041

February 19, 2026Episode 4830 min

The Science of Connection in Hybrid Events

Send us Fan MailIf your virtual room feels fine, but nobody is leaning in, this episode is for you.Hosted by Devon Pasha Montgomery, this What One Thing? episode spotlights virtual and hybrid engagement expert John Chen, CEO of Engaging Virtual Meetings. Chen has produced more than 4,000 virtual meetings and breaks down small, repeatable choices that make online rooms feel human, from belonging cues to energy resets. His one thing is practical for meeting pros: Take care of your brain and mental health, because sustainable energy is a production strategy, not a nice-to-have.Podcast: What One Thing? A Meeting Planner’s Guide to the Top of the Events World (Smart Meetings)Release date: Feb. 19, 2026Length: 30:04Episode page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087892/episodes/18671450Hybrid is not just a format, it is a relationship. In this episode of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings explores the science of connection in hybrid events and what meeting pros can do to help audiences feel seen, included and engaged, whether they are in the room or on screen.What you will learnWhy connection is a measurable outcome, not a “nice-to-have”How to design hybrid moments that create belonging across locationsPractical ways to reduce friction and increase participation for remote attendeesWhat to prioritize when making production and programming decisions for hybrid

January 23, 2026Episode 4744 min

Advocacy Is Part of the Planner Job Now

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long examines why advocacy has become essential for meeting professionals navigating today’s rapidly shifting landscape. The conversation opens with leadership from the Live Events Coalition, including Al Mercuro, strategic marketing and client engagement advisor at Genesis Exhibits; Dwayne Thomas, director of government affairs for the Live Events Coalition – National; and Wendy E. Porter, chief events strategist at Wendy Porter Events, LLC, who share the moments that compelled them to speak up for the industry. Together, they unpack the pressures planners face right now, from rising costs and healthcare access to tariffs, visas and economic uncertainty, and why live events remain vital to trust, innovation and human connection. In a closing segment, Tommy F. Goodwin, executive vice president of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, joins the conversation to offer a policy-focused perspective on workforce development, affordability and how planners can turn advocacy into meaningful action. The episode leaves listeners with a clear reminder that their voices matter, and that engagement at every level helps shape the future of meetings.Produced by: Eming Piansay

January 8, 2026Episode 4641 min

You Are the Art: Why Self-Expression Is the New Leadership Skill

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to be yourself at work, not the curated version, not the corporate mask, but the fully expressed you?In this episode of What One Thing?, transformational speaker and author Judi Holler returns to chat with Smart Meetings content director JT Long to unpack the core idea behind her new book, Holler at Your Dreams. She introduces the concept of self-expressionism, a disciplined, courageous practice of expressing who you are with intention, creativity and self-trust.Drawing from her background in hospitality, improv and leadership, Holler challenges meeting professionals to step off autopilot and experiment with discomfort as a path to confidence, innovation and authenticity. From rediscovering childhood clues to building psychological and creative safety at work, she shares how small, intentional acts can lead to profound personal and professional shifts.Her answer to the show’s signature question is clear and bold: The one thing you can do today is shock the system. Try something new. Go where you have no confidence, on purpose. In a world that rewards safety but craves originality, this conversation is a call to choose courage, reclaim your voice and remember that you are the art.Produced by: Eming Piansay

December 18, 2025Episode 4527 min

Designing for Yes: Inside the Psychology of Influence

Send us Fan MailIn this energizing episode of What One Thing?, Devon Montgomery Pasha sits down with behavioral science expert and global keynote speaker Nancy Harhut to explore why people say yes and how understanding human decision-making can transform both marketing and event design. Nancy breaks down the emotional shortcuts that drive behavior, the four decision defaults that shape how audiences take in information, and the powerful impact of designing for attention, resonance and action. With real-world examples ranging from dentists to conference campaigns, she shows how small psychological cues can unlock major results and why test-and-learn thinking matters more than ever. Whether you craft attendee experiences or brand messages, Nancy offers a fresh, inspiring lens on what truly moves people. Produced by: Eming Piansay